Application Cases

Experiment Title: Performance Testing of DEMES Driver

Experiment Purpose:A novel DEMES driver was designed, and theoretical modeling and experimental testing were conducted for this driver. The influence of relevant parameters of the soft actuator on its performance was compared and analyzed. The following sections will introduce the experimental materials and apparatus, the design and fabrication of the DEMES driver, theoretical modeling of the DEMES driver, and related experimental studies.

Testing Equipment:High Voltage Amplifier, Signal Generator, Laser Displacement Sensor, Force Sensor, and Computer, etc.

Experiment Process:

Figure 1: Schematic Diagram of the Testing Principle for the Elongation and Impedance Force of the DEMES Driver

As shown in Figure 2, the schematic diagram illustrates the testing principle for the elongation and impedance force of the DEMES driver. When measuring the relationship between displacement and voltage, one end of the DE actuator is fixed, allowing the other end to slide freely on the release paper. The specific steps are as follows: (1) Install an “L”-shaped cardboard at the free end of the DE actuator and direct the laser beam onto the cardboard; (2) Apply voltage to the DE actuator through the signal source and high voltage amplifier; (3) Continuously increase the voltage until the DE film is punctured, at which point the test is stopped; (4) Convert the analog signals collected by the laser displacement sensor during the testing process into digital signals and transmit them to the computer; (5) Measure other samples from the same batch and take the average value after multiple measurements.

Experimental Results:

Figure 2: Comparison of the DEMES Driver Before and After Deformation

Figure 2 shows the comparison of the deformation state and reference state of the DE driver under a 5kV voltage. The difference in length between the two states represents the elongation (displacement) of the driver. In the reference state, due to the limitation of the flexible frame, the DE membrane maintains a certain initial length in the driving direction. When voltage is applied to the DE membrane, the initial equilibrium state of the driver is disrupted by Maxwell stress, and the driver generates a certain driving displacement to reach a new equilibrium state, also known as the driven state.

Figure 3: Viscoelastic Testing of the DEMES Driver

When testing the static characteristics of the DE driver, a triangular wave with a stretching and compressing rate of 100V/s was selected as the driving signal. During the experiment, it is assumed that when the stretching and compressing of the triangular wave are small, each moment corresponds to a quasi-static state, i.e., the voltage is approximately constant. Figure 3 shows the comparison between the viscoelastic experiment of the DE driver and the model prediction. It can be clearly seen from the figure that the model calculations and experimental test results match well.

High Voltage Amplifier Recommendation: ATA-7100

Figure: Specifications of the ATA-7100 High Voltage Amplifier

This material is compiled and released by Aigtek Antai Electronics. For more case studies and product details, please continue to follow us. Xi'an Aigtek Antai Electronics has become a widely recognized supplier of instruments and equipment with a broad product line and considerable scale in the industry. Sample machines are available for free trial.