Artificial Muscle introduces world's first line of standard electroactive polymer (EAP) linear actuators

Citation

(2007), "Artificial Muscle introduces world's first line of standard electroactive polymer (EAP) linear actuators", Industrial Robot, Vol. 34 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2007.04934aaf.002

Artificial Muscle introduces world's first line of standard electroactive polymer (EAP) linear actuators

Artificial Muscle introduces world's first line of standard electroactive polymer (EAP) linear actuators

New Universal Muscle Actuatore (UMA™) promises to revolutionize a wide array of consumer, industrial and medical products through application of “artificial muscle” technology.

Artificial Muscle Inc. (AMI) a high- volume manufacturer that designs and builds linear actuator components based on its patented Electroactive Polymer Artificial Muscle (EPAM™) technology, announced the commercial availability of the world's first product line of standard EAP actuators. Available today, the UMA™ (Figure 2) product line applies AMI's patented EAP technology to replace the conventional actuators currently used in millions of pumps, valves, and linear actuators, as well as sensors, power generators and numerous other devices and machines around the world.

Figure 2 Artificial Muscle's new EAP actuators

Originally conceived in the labs of SRI International, the EPAM-based UMA actuators are lighter, smaller, and less costly than conventional electromagnetic motor-based actuators. They operate silently and offer much higher power densities than traditional actuator technologies. UMAs can replace a wide variety of electro- mechanical devices such as electric motors, valves, and transmissions. These components are typically heavy, noisy, prone to wear and tear, and less energy-efficient than UMA actuators. Details of the new product line can be seen at: www.artificialmuscle.com

“When we show the UMA™ to design engineers from different industries, they are excited by the broad range of potential applications it addresses, and by the competitive advantage in product design it will give them,” said Charlie Duncheon, acting CEO of AMI “By focusing on one universal and commercially compelling configuration of our patented technology we can make rapid progress towards becoming the high-volume manufacturing leader of durable, high-performance actuators for a broad range of markets and market opportunities that, today, are valued at several billion dollars.”

What are EAP artificial muscles? In the early 1990s, several US government agencies approached SRI International to address the inefficiencies of electro- magnetically driven robots. SRI was funded to develop technology that would drive robots with more efficient, higher power density actuation. This led to a technology called EPAM, now being commercialized by artificial muscle. EAP work much like human muscles, expanding and contracting silently, based on variable voltage input levels.

The potential range of applications of this technology is immense. For example, a modern automobile contains over 100 actuators in everything from door locks to seat positioners. This number is expected to exceed 200 in the near future as “Drive by Wire” and the need for fuel efficiency (lighter weight) spur demand for lighter, more precise actuators. Medical applications for infusion pumps and valves are another fast-growing market segment in need of small, silent, low-cost linear actuators.

The new UMA product eliminates traditional electro-mechanical parts and has the potential to completely replace conventional linear actuators, component positioners, valve actuators, diaphragm pumps, generators, motors, sensors, and even speakers. Specific application details can be seen at: www.artificialmuscle.com/Linear_Actuator_ Applications_ Artificial_ Muscle.htm

The UMA™ product line introduces standardized configurations of a diaphragm-based EPAM that is suitable for over 75 per cent of the potential actuator applications studied by AMI and its initial partners and customers. The UMA line includes eight models of both single- and double-diaphragm configurations, both with and without an integrated power supply. Additionally, two UMA-based high-volume solutions are available: a proportional valve and a new fluid pump. Complete performance details and specifications can be seen at: www.artificialmuscle.com/Linear_Actuator_ Development_ Kits_Artificial_Muscle.html

The UMA product line is available immediately.

Additional free information for design engineers, including Design Guides and Technology Whitepapers, is also available at the Artificial Muscle website: www.artificialmuscle.com