A protocol for characterizing the performance of light-weight truss-core actuators

A protocol for characterizing a novel light-weight actuator with high actuating capability is proposed and analyzed in this paper. The actuator is a sandwich structure composed of truss cores and smart face-sheets in which overall bending may occur when actuated. The deformation of this beam actuator is generated by varying the voltage applied at the face-sheets made up of smart material. The basic mechanical properties, such as the effective moduli of the structure, are discussed, and then optimization is designed to obtain the minimum weight or maximum achievable displacement subjected to two types of constraints. Analysis indicates that the composite trusses have higher stiffness and strength than the metal-trusses structure with the same density. The relationship between the actuating capability and geometric parameters is also investigated by numerical simulations. Compared with two corrugated-core actuators, the truss-core actuator has better actuating capability within a specific weight range.