Additive manufacturing: design of a basic pivot articulation actuated with SMA wire

Today, the rapid advance of additive manufacturing, namely 3D printing, gives options and capabilities to simplify the fabrication of three-dimensional complex structures. In fact, such technology brings a real rupture comparing to conventional technologies in terms of design and manufacturing. Taking those advantages, this paper presents the design and the fabrication of a monolithic pivot articulation. First, the skeleton of the articulation is designed as a monolithic bloc. Then, the articulation is fabricated in one operation without assembly. To functionalize the articulation a Shape Alloy Memory (SMA) wire is utilized. Its advantage is the ease of integration thanks to the low diameter of the wire and the expected grooves within the printed structure, making possible the realization of miniaturized complex structures and the introduction of the actuation even inside this latter. The whole actuated structure has a centimeter size and serves as a proof of concept. Experiments are carried out to demonstrate the interest of the realized prototype and thus to highlight that 3D printing could be potential in the development of complex actuated structures.