New structure of pneumatic networks actuators for soft robotics

Yazhou Wang; Junfeng Xiao; Xueping Chen

New structure of pneumatic networks actuators for soft robotics

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Author(s): Yazhou Wang^{1, 2} ; Junfeng Xiao² ; Xueping Chen²
- Affiliations: 1: Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering , Lanzhou University of Technology , Lanzhou , People's Republic of China ;
  2: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering , University of Western Ontario , London , Canada
Source: Volume 2019, Issue 13, January 2019, p. 273 – 277
DOI: 10.1049/joe.2018.9023 , Online ISSN 2051-3305

This is an open access article published by the IET under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)

Received 03/10/2018, Accepted 12/10/2018, Published 22/10/2018

Pneumatic actuators (referred to as pneu-nets) are drawing increasing attention due to their high customisability, ease of fabrication and innate softness. The actuator's ability to bend is one of the important parameters characterising its performance and related to its structure. Some structures are developed. In this work, a new structure (NS) pneu-nets is developed, and its bending ability is compared with the currently common Mosadegh pneu-nets structure (developed by Mosadegh). These two are analysed in two aspects: the trajectories of the pneu-nets actuator's tip, and the defined angle of bending. The results indicate that the NS pneu-nets actuators are able to achieve greater bending at higher pressures and can be lightweight. These pneumatic actuators provide improved structure for soft robotics.

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