Fluid-driven elastomeric actuators (FEAs) are among the most popular
actuators in the emerging field of soft robotics. Intrinsically compliant, with
continuum of motion, large strokes, little friction, and high power-to-weight
ratio, they are very similar to biological muscles, and have enabled new
applications in automation, architecture, medicine, and human-robot
interaction. To foster future applications of FEAs, in this paper we present a
new manufacturing method for fast and precise scalable production of complex
FEAs of high quality (leak-free, single-body form, with <0.2 mm precision). The
method is based on 3d moulding and supports elastomers with a wide range of
viscosity, pot life, and Young's modulus. We developed this process for two
different settings: one in laboratory conditions for fast prototyping with 3d
printed moulds and using multi-component liquid elastomers, and the other
process in an industrial setting with 3d moulds micromachined in metal and
applying compression moulding. We demonstrate these methods in fabrication of
up to several tens of two-axis, three-chambered soft actuators, with two types
of chamber walls: cylindrical and corrugated. The actuators are then applied as
motion drivers in kinetic photovoltaic building envelopes
