Reconfigurable Tooling by Using a Reconfigurable Material

Cortés, J. A.; Varela-Jimenez, Ignacio; Bueno-Vives, Miguel

doi:10.5772/32560

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 26 publications

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“…Use of an interpolator layer is necessary to maintain an acceptable surface profile. Common methods of actuation utilised in these systems include: shaft driven lead screws, hydraulic actuation and sequential pin set up methods [4]. Problems with current reconfigurable tooling methods such as complexity, cost and difficulty in obtaining high tolerances due to the nature of the interpolator layer, have prevented the uptake of this technology and have limited the application of a reconfigurable tool within areas such as composites processing [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimal integration of pneumatic artificial muscles with vacuum-jammed surfaces to characterise a novel reconfigurable moulding system

Habibi

Land

Ball

et al. 2018

Journal of Manufacturing Processes

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Producing mould tooling systems is a considerable proportion of manufacturing cost and time, especially for low volume productions. Producing a reconfigurable mould to shape surfaces into complex geometries with multiple curvatures would obviate the need to design and fabricate individual moulds for different products. Current reconfigurable mould tooling systems are mainly variations on a 'bed of pins' design through differing patterns of actuated pins. These systems are heavy, mechanically complex and expensive to manufacture. Soft pneumatic actuators such as Mckibben muscles, also known as pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) are recognised for their high strength to weight ratio, ease of manufacture and low cost. In this work, PAMs are used to influence a soft elastomeric surface, allowing the formation of spatial curved profiles. This thin, hollow surface is packed with a granular medium that exhibits jamming under the negative pressure of a vacuum. This allows the flexible surface to transform to a rigid surface of greatly increased stiffness with a specific geometry for moulding purposes. This paper presents the design, experimental development and experimental performance of two sample prototypes to actualizes the idea of such adaptable moulding tools. The prototypes contain different actuator arrangements to form jamming surfaces into diverse, simple-to-complex 3D profiles. In addition, the kinematic performance for one of the prototypes is shown by a numerical model. Future work on this system will tailor it for production of fibre carbon composites.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimal integration of pneumatic artificial muscles with vacuum-jammed surfaces to characterise a novel reconfigurable moulding system

Habibi

Land

Ball

et al. 2018

Journal of Manufacturing Processes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Constitutive model for shear yield stress of magnetorheological fluid based on the concept of state transition

Varela-Jimenez

Luna

Cortes-Ramirez

et al. 2015

Smart Mater. Struct.

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Magnetorheological fluid (MRF) is a smart material whose rheological properties can be varied by a magnetic field; it has been applied in the development of semiactive dampers for a variety of applications. The material essentially consists of a suspension of magnetic particles in a nonmagnetic carrier fluid. It is important to understand the magnetic response of MRF and its dependence on several parameters for improving and designing MRF devices. The purpose of this work is to develop a constitutive model that describes the behavior of the shear yield stress of the material as function of the magnetic field and composition. Taking into account that the material changes its rheology and apparent viscosity according to magnetic field, a magnetically induced state transition is proposed; by the use of a state transition equation, a constitutive model for shear yield stress is defined, consisting of an expression that relates composition of the material and the stimulus applied, it also associates the volume fraction of particles, magnetic field and the material that composes the particles.

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Reconfigurable Tooling by Using a Reconfigurable Material

Cited by 2 publications

References 26 publications

Optimal integration of pneumatic artificial muscles with vacuum-jammed surfaces to characterise a novel reconfigurable moulding system

Optimal integration of pneumatic artificial muscles with vacuum-jammed surfaces to characterise a novel reconfigurable moulding system

Constitutive model for shear yield stress of magnetorheological fluid based on the concept of state transition

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