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Printing 3D dielectric elastomer actuators for soft robotics

Stoimenovc, Boyko; Walters, Peter; Rossiter, Jonathan

Authors

Boyko Stoimenovc

Peter Walters

Jonathan Rossiter



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. © 2009 SPIE.

Citation

Stoimenovc, B., Rossiter, J., & Walters, P. (2009). Printing 3D dielectric elastomer actuators for soft robotics. Proceedings of SPIE, 7287, https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815746

Journal Article Type Conference Paper
Conference Name 11th SPIE Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices Conference
Conference Location San Diego, California, USA
Start Date Mar 1, 2009
End Date Mar 1, 2009
Publication Date Sep 10, 2009
Journal Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Print ISSN 0277-786X
Publisher Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 7287
DOI https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815746
Keywords Soft dielectric elastomer actuators, 3D printing process
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/996880
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.815746
Related Public URLs http://spie.org/x648.html?product_id=815746




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