3D-Printed Strain-Gauge Micro Force Sensors

This paper presents the development of 3D-printed micro force sensors with micronewton sensing resolutions. Two representative 3D printing techniques, fused deposition method (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA), are utilized to establish polymeric micro sensor structures with a resolution down to 300 μm. Two types of 3D-printed strain-gauge force sensors have been designed aiming at different force measurement ranges (0-2.5 mN and 0-120 mN) with micronewton force sensing resolutions (4.3
_μ
N and 56
_μ
N, respectively). As a proof-of-concept demonstration, the two 3D-printed force sensors are used in custom-made mechanical characterization systems for measuring Young's moduli of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) samples at different crosslinking levels. The experimental technique presented here could empower rapid prototyping of high-performance force sensors utilizing consumer-level 3D printers, and will significantly boost the flexible design and customization of force-sensing systems with a variety of design requirements.