FLECTILE, 3D-Printable Wearable Actuators

Researchers have developed flexible, fully elastomeric, vibrotactile electromagnetic actuators based on the Lorentz force law.

Cabe Atwell
3 years agoRobotics / Sensors

Researchers based out of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany have developed a new type of actuator that is 3D-printable and wearable. Known as the FLECTILE, the work was inspired by rapid prototyping and fast manufacturing processes. As a result, only a few simple steps are needed to create one.

The first step involves printing the soft substrate. This is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) substrate that is approximately 0.8mm thick when completed. The next entails printing the coils, which is done with capillary silver TPU. Coils are printed on both sides of the substrate and cured when completed. Consequently, the coils will now act as conductors and carry current when a voltage is applied. The last phases include connecting copper wires to the coils to help provide a stimulus.

When the actuator is fully printed and cured, it is ready for use. It operates off of Lorentz force law of physics, a law that describes the force placed on a charge due to electromagnetic fields. When a current is applied to the coil, it will either be attracted to or repelled from the permanent magnet. Applying a series of on and off pulses to the device will effectively make it vibrate. Also shown in the researchers’ work, the device can operate over a wide range of frequencies.

The FLECTILE allows for fast and easy manufacturing of actuators. The devices are elastomeric and skin applicable. As such, they are targeted toward applications like vibration sleeves and haptic feedback. The design even enables some flexibility in the application. As previously mentioned, the frequency of operation is variable, but also the distance or proximity from the magnet can be adjusted up to 7mm. Additionally, the devices can be printed to sizes to best fit the application's needs. This can be as small as a dime or as large as a baseball.

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