Actuator design and automated manufacturing process for DEAP-based multilayer stack-actuators

Abstract

By applying an electric field to a transducer based on dielectric electroactive polymers (DEAP) a relatively high amount of deformation with considerable force generation is achieved. Due to their unique features DEAP-transducers are a promising alternative for conventional actuator systems based on the electromagnetic principle. To maximize the force or absolute deformation of a DEAP-based actuator multilayer technologies are favorable. Although these actuators recently gained a lot of interest, the development of automated manufacturing processes for such transducers are still at a very early stage. Therefore, the authors present the conceptual design and realization of a novel automated process based on pre-fabricated elastomer material for manufacturing DEAP-based multilayer stack-actuators with homogeneous and reproducible properties. For this purpose, the specific design and topology of the conceptualized multilayer stack-actuator from a single layer actuator film towards the encapsulation of the stacked multilayer actuator is explained in a first step. Due to its smart design, advantageous features like safety fuses can be integrated in these multilayer actuators. Furthermore, for its design and optimal integration in various applications a multiphysics FE model is proposed. Afterwards, the manufacturing process consisting of several sub-processes is presented in detail. The quality of the developed process and the proposed FE model is demonstrated by an experimental validation of several manufactured multilayer DEAP stack-actuators made from polyurethane and silicone. Finally, the obtained results are concluded and an outlook concerning an improved actuator characteristic based on a material optimization is given.