Pneumatic lightweight structures

Year

2010

The idea

Alliances in the Bionic Learning Network are investigating pneumatic lightweight structures.

The objective

With a view to possible areas of application, various prototypes of pneumatic lightweight structures were developed.

Technical data

• Linear systems: 6
• 4-chamber round system: 1
• 4-chamber systems: 5
• 4-chamber modular system: 1
• 3-chamber systems: 2
• Piezo proportional valves: 12
• Operating pressure: 1 bar

Procedure

The aim of this project was to learn how multi-axis motion patterns can be generated using three-dimensional pneumatic structures. Due to the different pressures applied by the antagonistically configured muscles, systems without mechanical joints stabilise themselves, so that lightweight structures with an optimum weight-to-force ratio can be realised.

Prototypes

Several prototypes were used to investigate how different configurations and shapes of pneumatic actuators influence the movement patterns of the overall systems. Structures with three or four strands of actuators were configured, for example; superimposed and offset arrangements of the actuators were tested.

Result

The test setups showed that lightweight, adaptive and cost-efficient deflection and gripping systems can be generated that are directly adapted to customers’ requirements by means of new production processes.

Material

Pneumatic lightweight structures