The biomechanically inspired machine that is discussed in this paper refers to the antagonistic muscles pairs, which belongs to the Skeletal Muscles and are normally arranged in opposition so that as one group of muscles contract another group relaxes or lengthens.

Machines and Robots Driven by Muscle Like Acting NiTi Alloys

Relly Victoria V. Petrescu, Raffaella Aversa, Antonio Apicella and Florian Ion T. Petrescu | Romanian Society of Robotics Committee

The research shows a bioinspired approach to be adopted to design of systems based on Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs), a class of Smart Materials that has in common with muscles the capability to react to an impulse (thermal for SMAs) with a contraction. The biomechanically inspired machine that is discussed in the paper refers to the antagonistic muscles pairs, which belongs to the Skeletal Muscles and are normally arranged in opposition so that as one group of muscles contract another group relaxes or lengthens.

The study proposes a model, a solution not only to design a specific application, but also to provide an approach to be used for a wide range of adaptive applications (switchable windows, smart shadow systems, parking and urban shelters, etc.), where the shape changes in response to different external stimuli. The use of antagonist pairs mechanism provides a solution for better optimized systems based on SMAs where the main and proven advantages are: easier and faster change of shape, lower need of energy for system operation, lower cost for SMA training and no problem of overheating... (Full PDF whitepaper available here)

 

 

The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of RoboticsTomorrow

Comments (0)

This post does not have any comments. Be the first to leave a comment below.


Post A Comment

You must be logged in before you can post a comment. Login now.

Featured Product

 igus® - Free heavy-duty plastic bearings sample box

igus® - Free heavy-duty plastic bearings sample box

The iglide® heavy-duty sample box provides a selection of five unique iglide bearings, each suitable for use in heavy-duty equipment due to their self-lubricating, dirt-resistant properties. Each bearing material boasts unique benefits and is best suited for different application conditions, though each can withstand surface pressures of at least 11,603 psi at 68°F.