| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2024)
|
| Symposium
|
2024 Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium (SFF Symp 2024)
|
| Presentation Title |
Design of Pneumatic Soft Actuators for Fabrication with High-viscosity Vat Photopolymerization |
| Author(s) |
Roxana Carbonell, Hongtao Song, Martha Leach, Carolyn Seepersad |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Roxana Carbonell |
| Abstract Scope |
The field of soft robotics has grown with new applications for flexible, adaptable, lightweight robots in diverse fields. These applications motivate a shift in the design of soft robotics from exploratory proof-of-concept models to optimized designs with high levels of geometric complexity. However, many soft actuators are limited geometrically by the use of traditional molding processes. Vat photopolymerization (VPP) of true silicones is a promising alternative for the fabrication of geometrically complex elastomeric parts, but the high viscosity resins are difficult to process. A novel, large-format VPP system and an accompanying test bed enable VPP of high-viscosity silicone formulations with robust material and aging properties that are unattainable with other additive manufacturing systems. This system is utilized to fabricate a series of bending pneumatic unit cells. Based on these results and accompanying nonlinear finite element analysis, a process for designing VPP enabled soft robots with predetermined actuated trajectory is established. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Definite: Post-meeting proceedings |