A robotic finger driven by twisted and coiled polymer actuator

Kyeong Ho Cho; Min Geun Song; Hosang Jung; Jungwoo Park; Hyungpil Moon; Ja Choon Koo; Jae-Do Nam; Hyouk Ryeol Choi

doi:10.1117/12.2218957

15 April 2016 A robotic finger driven by twisted and coiled polymer actuator

Kyeong Ho Cho, Min Geun Song, Hosang Jung, Jungwoo Park, Hyungpil Moon, Ja Choon Koo, Jae-Do Nam, Hyouk Ryeol Choi

Proceedings Volume 9798, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016; 97981J (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218957
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Abstract

Previous studies reported that a twisted and coiled polymer actuator (TCA) generates strong force and large stroke by heating. Nylon 6,6 is known to be the most suitable polymer material for TCA because it has high thermal expansion ratio, high softening point and high toughness which is able to sustain gigantic twisting. In order to find the optimal structure of TCA fabricated with silver-coated nylon sewing threads, an equipment for twist-insertion (structuralization), composed of single DC motor, a slider fabricated by 3D printer and a body frame, is developed. It can measure the behaviors of TCAs as well as fabricate TCAs with desired characteristics by structuralizing fibers with controlled rotation per minutes (RPM) and turns. Comparing performances of diverse structures of TCAs, the optimal structure for TCA is found. For the verification of the availability of the optimal TCA, a TCA-driven biomimetic finger is developed. Finally, we successfully demonstrate the flexion/extension of the finger by using the actuation of TCAs.

Citation Download Citation

Kyeong Ho Cho, Min Geun Song, Hosang Jung, Jungwoo Park, Hyungpil Moon, Ja Choon Koo, Jae-Do Nam, and Hyouk Ryeol Choi "A robotic finger driven by twisted and coiled polymer actuator", Proc. SPIE 9798, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016, 97981J (15 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218957

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available