Review of Research on 3D Printing Manufacturing Technology of Soft Robots

doi:10.3901/JME.2021.15.186

Abstract

Abstract: Soft robots based on elastic and soft materials have strong deformation ability and good human-machine-environment integration, and have good application prospects in many fields such as industry, medical treatment, and home service. Software robot is a new type of highly integrated mechatronics intelligent system such as ontology, drive and perception. Many new features presented by soft robots bring new challenges to manufacturing, driving, modeling, sensing and control technologies in the field of robotics. The rapid development of 3D printing technology and equipment for soft materials has provided favorable support for the realization of software robot manufacturing. First, the basic principles and characteristics of mainstream soft material 3D printing technology are introduced, including fused deposition modelling, direct ink writing, inkjet printing, stereo lithography and selective laser sintering 3D printing technology. Then, in response to the development needs of software robot integrated manufacturing, multi-material 3D printing, 4D printing, embedded 3D printing and other cutting-edge technologies were introduced. Finally, introduced and analyzed the classic cases of software drivers and flexible sensors based on 3D printing technology at home and abroad, combined with the development needs of control-sensing-drive integrated biostructure-like soft robots, and forecasted the main development trends and technologies of 3D printing technology in the future challenge.

Key words: 3D printing, soft robot, integrated manufacturing technology, software driver, flexible sensor

CLC Number:

TP242

WANG Yongqing, DENG Jianhui, LI Te, LIU Kuo, LIU Haibo, MA Shugen. Review of Research on 3D Printing Manufacturing Technology of Soft Robots[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2021, 57(15): 186-198.

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