ROLLED AND COMPLIANT DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER ACTUATORS

摘要

A method for making a rolled dielectric elastomer transducer includes rolling a dielectric film laminate into a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll. An apparatus includes a drive mechanism for receiving a carrier plate with a dielectric film laminate located on a top surface thereof. The drive mechanism is configured to drive the carrier plate in a first direction. A scrub roller is configured to counter-rotate in a second direction relative to the first direction and frictionally engage the dielectric film to roll the dielectric film laminate into a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll. The apparatus may also include a fixed jaw and a movable jaw movable relative to the fixed jaw to define a longitudinal aperture for receiving a solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll therein. A cutter is configured to segment the solid dielectric elastomer transducer roll into at least two or more individual solid dielectric elastomer transducer rolls.