Material Optimization for Soft Actuator Based on Vibration

Attention is being devoted towards Electro active polymers (EAP) acting as the soft artificial muscles (actuators) which can produce large deformation on the application of low driving voltages (<5 V) and can be applied for soft catheter, robotic arms, sensors and actuator applications. In this work, the vibration analysis of beam structure of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and its composite are done through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A rectangular beam is designed and optimized for consideration in cantilever configuration. ANSYS 14 R software was used for driving the FE model of the soft beam. The optimized model was again studied for both end fixed boundary conditions. FEA is used to determine the mode shapes and the natural frequencies of PVDF and its composite. The change obtained in the beam structure at different mode shapes is used for predicting the damage and for safe working conditions of the complex structures containing piezoelectric material.