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Automated fabrication of elastomeric prepregs for soft robotics applications
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.2583
Publikationstyp
Journal Article
Date Issued
2020-04-01
Sprache
English
Author(s)
Institut
TORE-DOI
TORE-URI
Journal
Volume
22
Issue
4
Start Page
1900854
Article Number
1900854
Citation
Advanced Engineering Materials 22 (4): 1900854 (2020-04-1)
Publisher DOI
Scopus ID
Publisher
Wiley-VCH Verl.
Fluidic elastomer soft robots typically consist of a top and a strain-limiting bottom part. Both parts are usually cast and then glued together. Elastomeric prepregs, which can be stored at low temperatures for several months without significant cross-linking, simplify this manufacturing process. A cured top part of an arbitrary shape is placed on the wet prepreg, which later forms the strain-limiting layer, and the actuator is finally cured in an oven. Herein, a machine is designed and developed that automatically produces prepregs. Three different concepts are realized in a modular prototype: direct roller application, reverse roller application, and application with slot dies. Experiments show that the direct and the reverse roller application concepts are both suitable for the automated production of prepregs, where the latter one may be preferred due to the smaller number of contact surfaces. Three different textiles (polyester/cotton-blended fabric, nylon fabric, and fleece) are impregnated with the reverse roller application concept using Sylgard 184 and stored at −25 °C for 12 days. Using these prepregs, soft bending actuators are manufactured and tested for their functionality. Long-term fatigue tests show that only actuators produced with fleece prepregs are durable, without any signs of delamination.
Subjects
automated fabrication
elastomeric prepregs
fluid-driven robots
impregnation mechanisms
soft robotics
DDC Class
600: Technik
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Name
Wienzek_et_al-2019-Advanced_Engineering_Materials.pdf
Size
9.53 MB
Format
Adobe PDF