Novel Microgripper based on a Chevron Actuator and a Simple Compliance Arrangement

In this paper a novel microgripper device is shown. It is based on a chevron type actuator, and a simple configuration of compliance beams. It is also considered a source of thermal energy, which in this case is 2 V, which generates a temperature of 92.7 °C at the jaw's tips. It is main advantage is given by the simplicity and the reduced number of beams, which composed the compliance arrangement of the microgrippers jaws. It is response competitive with other ones, more complex, found it in literature, both in displacement and force. The structural material is Silicon. The effect on the microgripper performance due to its thickness is also analyzed. Some applications of the microgripper are detected, for example, subjection of microwires and manipulation of micro objects with diameters smaller than 85μm, until 68 μm, and weights lower than 38.63 μg. All microgrippers simulations were done on Ansys software.