P. Gunawardane, Phoebe Cheung, Hao Zhou, G. Alici, Clarence W de Silva, M. Chiao
{"title":"A Versatile 3D-Printable Soft Pneumatic Actuator Design for Multi-Functional Applications in Soft Robotics.","authors":"P. Gunawardane, Phoebe Cheung, Hao Zhou, G. Alici, Clarence W de Silva, M. Chiao","doi":"10.1089/soro.2023.0102","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) play a crucial role in generating movements and forces in soft robotic systems. However, existing SPA designs require significant structural modifications to be used in applications other than their original design. The present article proposes an omni-purpose fully 3D-printable SPA design inspired by membrane type mold and cast SPAs. The design features a spring-like zig-zag structure 3D-printed using an affordable 3D printer with thermoplastic polyurethane and a minimum wall thickness between 0.4 and 0.6 mm. The new SPA can perform unidirectional extension (30% extension) and bidirectional (rotation around same axis) bending (100°), with the ability to exert 10 N blocking force for 350 kPa pressure input. In addition, the design exhibits the capability to be scaled down for the purpose of accommodating limited spaces, while simultaneously enabling the reconfigurable interconnection of multiple SPAs to adapt to larger areas and navigate intricate trajectories that were not originally intended. The SPA's ability to be used in multiple applications without structural modification was validated through testing as a robot end-effector (gripper), artificial muscles in a soft tendon-driven prosthetic hand, a tube/tunnel navigator, and a robot crawler.","PeriodicalId":48685,"journal":{"name":"Soft Robotics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":6.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Soft Robotics","FirstCategoryId":"94","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1089/soro.2023.0102","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"计算机科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ROBOTICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) play a crucial role in generating movements and forces in soft robotic systems. However, existing SPA designs require significant structural modifications to be used in applications other than their original design. The present article proposes an omni-purpose fully 3D-printable SPA design inspired by membrane type mold and cast SPAs. The design features a spring-like zig-zag structure 3D-printed using an affordable 3D printer with thermoplastic polyurethane and a minimum wall thickness between 0.4 and 0.6 mm. The new SPA can perform unidirectional extension (30% extension) and bidirectional (rotation around same axis) bending (100°), with the ability to exert 10 N blocking force for 350 kPa pressure input. In addition, the design exhibits the capability to be scaled down for the purpose of accommodating limited spaces, while simultaneously enabling the reconfigurable interconnection of multiple SPAs to adapt to larger areas and navigate intricate trajectories that were not originally intended. The SPA's ability to be used in multiple applications without structural modification was validated through testing as a robot end-effector (gripper), artificial muscles in a soft tendon-driven prosthetic hand, a tube/tunnel navigator, and a robot crawler.
期刊介绍:
Soft Robotics (SoRo) stands as a premier robotics journal, showcasing top-tier, peer-reviewed research on the forefront of soft and deformable robotics. Encompassing flexible electronics, materials science, computer science, and biomechanics, it pioneers breakthroughs in robotic technology capable of safe interaction with living systems and navigating complex environments, natural or human-made.
With a multidisciplinary approach, SoRo integrates advancements in biomedical engineering, biomechanics, mathematical modeling, biopolymer chemistry, computer science, and tissue engineering, offering comprehensive insights into constructing adaptable devices that can undergo significant changes in shape and size. This transformative technology finds critical applications in surgery, assistive healthcare devices, emergency search and rescue, space instrument repair, mine detection, and beyond.