PDMS-based dual-channel pneumatic micro-actuator

Rehman, Tariq and Nafea, Marwan and Faudzi, Ahmad Athif and Saleh, Tanveer and Mohamed Ali, Mohamed Sultan (2019) PDMS-based dual-channel pneumatic micro-actuator. Smart Materials and Structures, 28 (11). pp. 1-11. ISSN 0964-1726 E-ISSN 1361-665X

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Abstract

This paper presents a monolithic novel polydimethylsiloxane-based dual-channel bellows-structured pneumatic actuator, fabricated through a sacrificial molding technique. A finite element analysis was performed to find the optimal structure and analyze the bending performance of the square-bellows actuator. The actuator was designed with an overall cross-sectional area of 5 × 5 mm2, while its structural parameters were characterized in terms of 8, 12, 16 and 20 number of bellows. The actuator models were fabricated using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-based sacrificial molds to form the channel and bellows structures. The experimental validation has revealed that the actuator having highest number of bellows with a size of 5 × 5 × 68.4 mm3 attained a smooth bi-directional bending motion, with maximum angles of −65° and 75°, and force of 0.166 and 0.221 N under left and right channel actuation, respectively, at 100 kPa pressure. Hence, the state-of-the-art dual-channel square-bellows actuator was able to achieve an optimal bi-directional bending with slight variations to change in temperature, which would push the boundaries of soft robotics toward the development of safer and more flexible robotic surgical tools.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	6808/76282
Uncontrolled Keywords:	soft actuator; pneumatic actuator; dual-channel actuator; catheter
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General)
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Mechatronics Engineering
Depositing User:	Dr. Tanveer Saleh CEng MIMechE
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2019 12:00
Last Modified:	26 Feb 2020 15:30
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/76282

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