Sensors 2019, 19(2), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/s19020318
Development of a Conductive Polymer Based Novel 1-DOF Tactile Sensor with Cylindrical Arch Spring Structure Using 3D Printing Technology†
Peshan Sampath 1,*
, Eranga De Silva 1, Lakshitha Sameera 1, Isuru Udayanga 2, Ranjith Amarasinghe 1, Sampath Weragoda 3 and Atsushi Mitani 4
, Eranga De Silva 1, Lakshitha Sameera 1, Isuru Udayanga 2, Ranjith Amarasinghe 1, Sampath Weragoda 3 and Atsushi Mitani 4
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Katubedda 10400, Sri Lanka
2
Department of Engineering Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda 10250, Sri Lanka
3
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Katubedda 10400, Sri Lanka
4
Department of Design, Sapporo City University, Hokkaido 005-0864, Japan
†
This paper is an extended version of our conference paper published in De Silva, A.H.T.E.; Sampath, W.H.P.; Sameera, N.H.L.; Udayanga, T.D.I.; Amarasinghe, Y.W.R.; Weragoda, V.S.C.; Mitani, A. Design and development of a novel 3D printed 1-DOF tactile sensor with conductive polymer based sensing element. In Proceedings of the 2016 IEEE Sensors, Orlando, FL, USA, 30 October–3 November 2016.
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 8 August 2018 / Revised: 16 November 2018 / Accepted: 22 November 2018 / Published: 14 January 2019
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)
Abstract
Under this research, a novel tactile sensor has been developed using a conductive polymer-based sensing element. The incorporated sensing element is manufactured by polymer press moulding, where the compound is based on silicone rubber and has enhancements by silica and carbon black, with Silane-69 as the coupling agent. Characteristics of the sensing element have been observed using its sensitivity and range, where its results pose an inherent nonlinearity of conductive polymers. For the force scaling purpose, a novel 3D printed cylindrical arch spring structure was developed for this highly customizable tactile sensor by adopting commonly available ABSplus material in 3D printing technology. By considering critical dimensions of the structure, finite element analysis was carried out to achieve nearly optimized results. A special electrical routing arrangement was also designed to reduce the routing complexities. The optimized structure was fabricated using the 3D printing technology. A microcontroller-based signal conditioning circuit was introduced to the system for the purpose of acquiring data. The sensor has been tested up to the maximum load condition using a force indenter. This sensor has a maximum applicable range of 90 N with a maximum structural deflection of 4 mm. The sensor assembly weighs 155 g and the outer dimensions are 85 mm in diameter and 83 mm in height. View Full-TextKeywords:
sensor phenomena and characterization; sensor structures; springs; tactile sensors; three-dimensional displays; 3D printing
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Sampath, P.; De Silva, E.; Sameera, L.; Udayanga, I.; Amarasinghe, R.; Weragoda, S.; Mitani, A. Development of a Conductive Polymer Based Novel 1-DOF Tactile Sensor with Cylindrical Arch Spring Structure Using 3D Printing Technology. Sensors 2019, 19, 318.
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