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Finite element analysis of a FSMA microgripper for determination of force experienced by it due to photo induced micro actuation effect

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Abstract

In this work, we have proposed a new method to remotely control and operate the working mechanism of a suitable Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloy (FSMA) microactuator system using only a focused low powered laser beam. Model of a simple microgripper system fabricated from a FSMA material and operated by applying the newly discovered Photo Induced Micro Actuation (PIMA) property of FSMAs has been proposed in this report. The design of the fabricated FSMA microgripper was developed using a standard Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software. The operating mechanism of the newly modelled microgripper assembly was thoroughly characterized numerically with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) method using the CAE software. A prototype of the microgripper system, as designed in the CAE software numerically, was fabricated and its working mechanism controlled by the PIMA effect was systematically studied. The main advantage of using this laser actuated microgripper system is the reduction in weight of the gripper assembly due to the absence of either electrical motors along with other electrical accessories or complex hydraulics systems as used in conventional gripper systems to control the working mechanism of the gripper end effectors. The gripping mechanism of the prototype microgripper system can be controlled only by the low powered laser beams. This is the first system attempted in the world where the PIMA effect was employed in any kind of microactuator application.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

One of the authors, AB, would like to thank the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, Govt. of India, for the grant of a senior research fellowship to him. He along with GS and PKM would also like to thank TRC for providing financial support in the form of a project grant [No. AIII/64/SNB/2014(C)].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. TRC, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, 700106, India

    Abhishek Bagchi, Gurdeep Singh & P. K. Mukhopadhyay

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India

    Abhishek Bagchi & Susenjit Sarkar

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Heritage Institute of Technology, Kolkata, 700107, India

    Amalendu Biswas

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  1. Abhishek Bagchi
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  2. Amalendu Biswas
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  4. Susenjit Sarkar
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  5. P. K. Mukhopadhyay
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Correspondence to Abhishek Bagchi.

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Bagchi, A., Biswas, A., Singh, G. et al. Finite element analysis of a FSMA microgripper for determination of force experienced by it due to photo induced micro actuation effect. J Micro-Bio Robot 17, 79–92 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12213-022-00147-0

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