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A micromolded connector for reconfigurable millirobots

A G Gillies1 and R S Fearing2

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We have developed a micromolded connector for applications such as folded millirobots where reusability, low engaged profile and rapid assembly are required. Using laser micromachining and micromolding techniques, the microconnector is formed with a manufacturing process that can be integrated with the rapid prototyping of the millirobots. The microconnector engages through shear in one direction while forming a strong connection in orthogonal directions, with an engaged thickness of 200 µm. The microconnectors have been shown to be strong in the shear and normal pull-off directions with strengths of 42 and 27 N cm−2, respectively, as well as being robust to shear failure, maintaining over 65% of their strength after being run to failure ten times. Due to the anisotropic property of the microconnector, it can also be rapidly engaged and disengaged repeatedly in the release direction without degrading the connector strength. The microconnectors have also been successfully integrated into various millirobots for quick appendage changes, showing their applicability to millirobots.


PACS

87.85.Va Micromachining

87.80.Fe Micromanipulation of biological structures

87.15.La Mechanical properties

42.62.Be Biological and medical applications

Subjects

Instrumentation and measurement

Optics, quantum optics and lasers

Medical physics

Biological physics

Dates

Issue 10 (October 2010)

Received 18 May 2010, in final form 30 July 2010

Published 9 September 2010



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