Material Selection for Robotic Construction

“3D printing is advancing rapidly, and the range of materials that can be used has expanded considerably. While the technology was previously limited to fast-curing plastics, it has now been made suitable for slow-curing plastics as well. These have decisive advantages as they have enhanced elastic properties and are more durable and robust. The use of such polymers is made possible by a new technology developed by researchers at ETH Zurich and a US start-up. As a result, researchers can now 3D print complex, more durable robots from a variety of high-quality materials in one go. This new technology also makes it easy to combine soft, elastic, and rigid materials. The researchers can also use it to create delicate structures and parts with cavities as desired. Using the new technology, researchers at ETH Zurich have succeeded for the first time in printing a robotic hand with bones, ligaments and tendons made of different polymers in one go. The researchers from Switzerland and the US have now jointly published the technology and their sample applications in the journal Nature. "We wouldn't have been able to make this hand with the fast-curing polyacrylates we've been using in 3D printing so far," explains Thomas Buchner, a doctoral student in the group of ETH Zurich robotics professor Robert Katzschmann and first author of the study. "We're now using slow-curing thiol-ene polymers. These have very good elastic properties and return to their original state much faster after bending than polyacrylates." This makes thiol-ene polymers ideal for producing the elastic ligaments of the robotic hand. In addition, the stiffness of thiol-enes can be fine-tuned very well to meet the requirements of soft robots. "Robots made of soft materials, such as the hand we developed, have advantages over conventional robots made of metal. Because they're soft, there is less risk of injury when they work with humans, and they are better suited to handling fragile goods," Katzschmann explains. https://lnkd.in/gseHJgfk

World’s First Fully 3D-Printed Autonomous Robot Showcases Eco-Friendly Innovation European collaboration unveils a recyclable, off-road robot built entirely from 3D-printed recycled materials ⸻ A Green Breakthrough in Robotics A consortium of European innovators has unveiled the world’s first autonomous robot entirely made from 3D-printed recycled materials. Developed by Lemki Robotix (Ukraine), iSCALE 3D (Germany), and Zeykan Robotics (Czech Republic), the robot was introduced at a recent 3D printing expo in Lyon, France. Designed for rugged, off-road applications, this autonomous logistics unit is not just a technical milestone—it’s also a pioneering achievement in sustainable robotics. ⸻ Key Features and Design • 100% Recycled 3D-Printed Body • Constructed from glass fiber-reinforced recycled polypropylene, ensuring a lightweight yet sealed and durable frame. • Equipped with airless polyurethane wheels and carbon fiber-reinforced nylon rims, ideal for outdoor terrain and eliminating the risk of flats. • Built for Harsh Environments • The design emphasizes rugged autonomy, with capabilities for logistics, delivery, and off-grid mobility in difficult conditions. • The robot is sealed to protect against dust and water, making it practical for real-world outdoor deployment. • Decentralized Manufacturing • The project highlights a new model of cross-border, additive manufacturing collaboration. • Components can be printed locally using standard recycled filament and assembled on-site, lowering production costs and reducing carbon footprint. ⸻ Sustainability in Focus • Circular Economy in Action • By using fully recycled and recyclable plastics and composites, the robot exemplifies circular manufacturing. • The 3D-printing process itself allows for lower waste and greater flexibility in design updates or repairs. • Complementary Projects • The launch follows the consortium’s earlier work on the Discover 3D camper—another example of additive manufacturing meeting practical mobility needs. • Globally, similar advances include Hokkaido University’s FLUID robot, an open-source lab automation tool using custom 3D-printed parts. ⸻ Why This Matters This innovation marks a new frontier where robotics, sustainability, and localized production converge. In an era of rising e-waste and complex supply chains, the fully 3D-printed autonomous robot demonstrates a scalable approach to green tech. It opens doors to: • Affordable robotics for underserved regions • Military and humanitarian logistics in remote areas • Reduced dependence on traditional supply chains in emergencies By showcasing what’s possible with recycled materials and additive manufacturing, the Lemki-iSCALE-Zeykan alliance offers a powerful vision for a cleaner, smarter robotics future. Keith King https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw

Bio-Inspired Materials for Robotics? Most robotic systems rely on traditional materials like aluminum and stainless steel, but what if 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 holds the key to improved robotic performance? This research explores how variations in density and elasticity found in bones and tendons can enhance robotic functionality. While most robots assume homogeneous, rigid materials, nature’s biological structures optimize material properties for durability and efficiency. Simulations on a hopping robot show that incorporating density and stiffness variations improves 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 (𝟯𝟱% 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿) and 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 (𝟮𝟯% 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) compared to uniform stainless steel designs. By leveraging anisotropic materials, future robotic systems could reduce vibrations, improve structural integrity, and enhance locomotion, paving the way for energy-efficient and more resilient robots. Perhaps we can use bio-inspired materials to push the boundaries of robotic agility and efficiency! By rethinking how we design and fabricate robots, perhaps we can harness the power of bio-inspired materials to push the boundaries of robotic agility and efficiency. Congrats to Andrew K. Schulz, Ayah Ahmad, and Maegan Tucker! 🔗 Read the full paper: https://lnkd.in/ga58k5uk 💬 How do you see bio-inspired materials shaping the future of robotics? I post the latest and interesting developments in robotics - 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱! #Robotics #BioInspiredDesign #MaterialsScience #Engineering #Automation #RobotLearning #Biomechanics