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Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Fabrication of Soft Pneumatic Network Actuators with Oblique Chambers
Published on: August 17, 2018
A Collapsible Soft Actuator Facilitates Performance in Constrained Environments
Jacob Rogatinsky1, Kiran Gomatam1, Zi Heng Lim1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
Abstract:
Complex environments, such as those found in surgical and search-and-rescue applications, require soft devices to adapt to minimal space conditions without sacrificing the ability to complete dexterous tasks. Stacked Balloon Actuators (SBAs) are capable of large deformations despite folding nearly flat when deflated, making them ideal candidates for such applications. This paper presents the design, fabrication, modeling, and characterization of monolithic, inflatable, soft SBAs. Modeling is presented using analytical principles based on geometry, and then using conventional and real-time finite element methods. Both one and three degree-of-freedom (DoF) SBAs are fully characterized with regards to stroke, force, and workspace. Finally, three representative demonstrations show the SBA's small-aperture navigation, bracing, and workspace-enhancing capabilities.
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