Microgripper design based on the photothermal bending effect of optical fibers

Nicholas Jankovic; Marco Zeman; Ningxu Cai; Philip Igwe; George K. Knopf

doi:10.1117/12.578034

25 October 2004 Microgripper design based on the photothermal bending effect of optical fibers

Nicholas Jankovic, Marco Zeman, Ningxu Cai, Philip Igwe, George K. Knopf

Proceedings Volume 5602, Optomechatronic Sensors, Actuators, and Control; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.578034
Event: Optics East, 2004, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Abstract

A micromanipulator based on the photo-thermal bending effect experienced by a beveled optical fiber is described in this paper. The micromanipulator design incorporates four fingers, two bendable fibers for actively grasping small objects and two stationary fibers to provide structural support while holding the object. Each finger is a 1mm diameter acrylic optic fiber with a 25mm beveled edge near the tip. The beveled edge is coated with a thin layer of black paint where the thickness has a measurable impact on the amount of tip deflection. A light beam, from a 150W halogen illuminator, is directed into the fixed end of the sculpted optic fiber causing the tip at the free end to deflect by approximately 50 microns. Several experiments are conducted to demonstrate that this simple microgripper is able to grasp, hold, and release a variety of small metal screws and ball bearings. Finite element analysis is used to further investigate the physical properties of the optical actuator. The theoretical deflections are slightly greater than the experimentally observed values. The FEM analysis is also used to estimate the maximum force (~ 0.7mN) generated at the actuator tip during deflection.

Citation Download Citation

Nicholas Jankovic, Marco Zeman, Ningxu Cai, Philip Igwe, and George K. Knopf "Microgripper design based on the photothermal bending effect of optical fibers", Proc. SPIE 5602, Optomechatronic Sensors, Actuators, and Control, (25 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.578034

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KEYWORDS

Optical fibers

Prototyping

Actuators

Finite element methods

Cladding

Fiber optic illuminators

Photons

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