Design and fabrication of shape memory alloy based 4D-printed actuator for FWMAV: A performance study

Abstract

Flapping Wing Micro Aerial Vehicles (FWMAVs) use flapping wings to create lift and thrust, akin to bird flight. In this work, we seek to design and fabricate a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) based 4D-printed actuator that behaves as a wing structure to achieve the desired flapping action in an FWMAV. The integration of SMA in the static matrix facilitates the desired motion by bending SMA as a response to a stimulus. The properties of SMA such as the work density, stroke angle, etc., are greatly enhanced in contrast to more complex, conventional motor-driven mechanisms. The study includes the investigation of the actuator's performance, which is evaluated using image processing based on parameters such as the stroke angle, actuation speed, and recovery force, and helps in utilizing the actuator based on the needs and demands of specific targeted applications by referring to the baseline data recorded by conducting a series of experiments.