This paper describes the design and manufacturing of a modular actuator unit based on twisted and coiled polymer actuator. Twisted and coiled polymer actuators have attracted attention in the field of smart actuators and robotics. The proposed concept allows for the improvement of the response time of the twisted and coiled polymer actuator by incorporating active cooling method. This realization results in the development of modular actuator unit for bio-robotic system. The modular actuator unit consist of several twisted and coiled polymer actuators, a 3D printed frame and DC fans. The design and manufacturing of such modular actuator unit will be discussed in detail. Preliminary results about the performance of the twisted and coiled polymer actuators will also be presented.

© (2019) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Lianjun Wu and Xuemin Wang, "A modular twisted and coiled polymer actuator unit for robotic tentacles," Proc. SPIE 10966, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXI, 109660S (Presented at SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation: March 05, 2019; Published: 13 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2514400.