Printing 3D dielectric elastomer actuators for soft robotics

Jonathan Rossiter; Peter Walters; Boyko Stoimenov

doi:10.1117/12.815746

6 April 2009 Printing 3D dielectric elastomer actuators for soft robotics

Jonathan Rossiter, Peter Walters, Boyko Stoimenov

Proceedings Volume 7287, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2009; 72870H (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815746
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We present a new approach to the fabrication of soft dielectric elastomer actuators using a 3D printing process. Complete actuators including active membranes and support structures can be 3D printed in one go, resulting in a great improvement in fabrication speed and increases in accuracy and consistency. We describe the fabrication process and present force and displacement results for a double-membrane antagonistic actuator. In this structure controlled prestrain is applied by the simple process of pressing together two printed actuator halves. The development of 3D printable soft actuators will have a large impact on many application areas including engineering, medicine and the emerging field of soft robotics.

Citation Download Citation

Jonathan Rossiter, Peter Walters, and Boyko Stoimenov "Printing 3D dielectric elastomer actuators for soft robotics", Proc. SPIE 7287, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2009, 72870H (6 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815746

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