Omnidirectional soft pneumatic actuators: a design and optimization framework

Abstract

Introduction: Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) play a pivotal role in soft robotics due to their unique characteristics of compliance, flexibility, and adaptability. There are plenty of approaches that examine the modeling parameters of SPAs, aiming to optimize their design and, thus, achieve the most advantageous responses. Current optimization methods applied to SPAs are usually performed individually for each design parameter without considering the simultaneous effect all parameters can have on the output performance. This modeling shortcoming is essential to be addressed since customized SPAs are used in a variety of applications, each with different output requirements. Methods: This study provides a generalized design optimization framework for modeling the SPA performance for their motion profiles, the produced strain energy while being deformed, and their stiffness characteristics. Utilizing experimentally validated finite element methods, all geometrical and material parameters of the models are investigated in response surface methodology optimization using the central composite design approach. Results: The results showcase the entire design space of omnidirectional SPAs, along with their output performance, providing guidelines to the end user for design optimization. Discussion: The offering of this modeling process for SPAs can be adapted to the demands of any potential application and ensure the best performance with respect to the required output responses.