Patent ID: 8568642
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: B29C,B33Y,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for fabricating an artificial skin system, comprising: providing a mold core with an exterior surface defining an inner surface of a skin system, wherein the exterior surface comprises a plurality of mounting elements; to each of the mounting elements, attaching an elastomeric actuation piece (EAP); positioning the mold core within an exterior skin mold, wherein a cavity is formed between the exterior surface of the mold core and inner surfaces of the exterior skin mold that defines a topography and dimensions of the skin system and wherein the mounting elements are integrally formed with the exterior surface during fabrication of the mold core to be affixed to the exterior surface and extend a distance outward from the exterior surface into the cavity; filling the cavity with a volume of a skin-forming material; and after the skin-forming material hardens to form the skin system, removing the skin system from the mold core including detaching the EAPs from the mounting elements, wherein the EAPs are integrally bonded within the skin system, wherein the EAPs have at least two different body shapes distributing forces through the skin system in at least two different ways corresponding to the different body shapes of the EAPs, wherein the mounting elements each comprise a post with a head distal to the exterior surface, and wherein the EAPs each comprise a body with a recessed surface for receiving one of the heads of the mounting elements.