3D printing for dielectric elastomers

Andrew Creegan; Iain Anderson

doi:10.1117/12.2046519

8 March 2014 3D printing for dielectric elastomers

Andrew Creegan, Iain Anderson

Proceedings Volume 9056, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2014; 905629 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2046519
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We present an analysis on the feasibility of the 3D printing technology known as Stereolithography for adaption to Dielectric Elastomer (DE) Production. We also present a method for 3D printing in two materials using Stereolithography, solving one of the main challenges identified in adapting this technology to DEs. Stereolithography is well suited to DE production because of similarities in the materials used and because of its high achievable resolution. However, DE production requires the use of two separate materials, and of soft materials, both of which are difficult with Stereolithography. Our method makes two material printing with Stereolithography possible by using multiple resin baths and an intermediary cleaning step. If the other challenges can be overcome, automatic 3D production of DEs will be possible.

Citation Download Citation

Andrew Creegan and Iain Anderson "3D printing for dielectric elastomers", Proc. SPIE 9056, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2014, 905629 (8 March 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2046519

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