Designing, manufacturing and testing bimorph piezoelectric twisting actuators

This thesis report contains two papers. The first paper is a literature study on mechanisms, smart actuated materials and controllable joints. In this paper, several smart materials are identified and it is discussed how they can be embedded in different mechanisms. From this paper, it is concluded that fast-response smart material twisting...

A 3D Printed Mechanical Expander for Small Pupils

Manufacturing process for inkjet-printing a relaxor ferroelectric actuator

By embedding actuators and sensors in passive structures, it will be possible to realize more functional machines, enabling the enhanced performance capabilities of high-tech machines. While developments in printed structures and electronics are reaching application maturity, only the first signs of feasibility for the printing of actuators and...

Application of Ti64 Multi-Laser Powder Bed Fusion in Next Generation Actuation Systems: Selection and Analysis of Candidate Structural Part

In a bid to increase additive manufacturing (AM) technology readiness, this study researched feasibility of AM technology application in the next generation secondary flight control systems. Taking a state-of-the-art certification framework and technology into account, a selection tool was created and used to survey the high lift and thrust...

3D Printed Hydraulic Actuation: Design and Evaluation of a 3D Printed Hydraulic Actuation System

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a 3D printed hydraulic actuation system, applied in a multi-articulate upper limp prosthesis. The prosthesis was designed to produce sufficient pinch force to be competitive with comparable devices (30 N), and weigh less than a human hand (<0.43 kg). The actuator should...