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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Published on: November 8, 2019

Topology optimization design of flextensional actuators.

E N Silva¹, S Nishiwaki, N Kikuchi

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering of Escola Politécnica at the Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, 05508-900, Brazil. ecnsilva@usp.br

IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control

|February 2, 2008

Summary

This study introduces topology optimization for designing flextensional actuators. The method enhances actuator performance by optimizing the mechanical structure for greater displacement or force output.

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Area of Science:

Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science
Robotics

Background:

Flextensional actuators utilize piezoceramics coupled with flexible structures to amplify displacement.
Actuator performance is critically dependent on the topology and mechanical properties of the coupling structure.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a general topology optimization method for designing flextensional actuators.
To maximize output displacement or generative force in a specified direction for static and low-frequency applications.

Main Methods:

Application of topology optimization to design the flexible coupling structure.
Analysis of 2-D topologies for computational efficiency, with potential for 3-D extension.

Main Results:

Demonstration of a method to design flextensional actuators with enhanced output displacement and force.
Generation of novel actuator designs by varying coupling structure topologies.

Conclusions:

Topology optimization provides a versatile approach for designing high-performance flextensional actuators.
The method is adaptable for various output directions and can be applied to flextensional hydrophones and sonars.