Variable Stiffness

Year: 2017-2018
Supervisor: Henriette Bier (Robotic Building, TUD)

Researcher: Arwin Hidding (Robotic Building, TUD)

Partners/Collaborators: 4TU, TUE, CPFL, 3D Robot Printing, and 010 Works

Website: http://www.roboticbuilding.eu/project/variable-stiffness/

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Variable Stiffness project is a 4TU funded project lead by Henriette Bier and implemented with Arwin Hidding and a team from TUE Patrick Teuffel, Qing Wang and EPFL Senatore Gennaro. Both, TUE and EPFL were involved in regular reviews accompanying the process. Furthermore, the project had partners from industry:  3DRP and 010 Works. 

 

Variable stiffness is employed in this project as an adaptation strategy to achieve multi-functionality. The chaise longue can change shape to accommodate functions as both bed and chair depending on users’ requirement. Through numerical and experimental studies employing structural analysis, robotic path simulations, and 3D robotic printing an architected approach to adaptive structures is implemented. The geometry of the Chaise Longue is generated to accommodate an average human body size and weight, within a certain range, either sitting down and/or lying. It allows the user to either sit or lie down by deforming the back part of the chaise-longue when leaning against it. The actuation is implemented by the weight of the user. This shape change is achieved by combining variation in material distribution and use of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).

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The chaise longue was robotically 3D printed at 3D Robot Printing in Rotterdam with equipment that was developed by 3D Robot Printing. The Variable Stiffness project builds up on expertise developed since 2014 in the Robotic Building group. In particular knowledge and technology developed in the project Scalable Porosity formed basis for design and robotic production approach.