skip to navigation Menu ELECTRO ACTIVE POLYMERS (EAP) Advanced manufacturing of a novel actuation technology. Transducer with versatile high performance. Actuators are mechanical components that allow the transformation of electrical energy into mechanical energy and enable a multipurpose and efficient operation. Solution Key benefits Development kit Currently, conventional actuator systems have a complex mechanics that generate noise and vibrations, which can cause premature wear or disrupt other mechanical elements of the system. This complex and heavy construction also results in a large size which limits its integration in restricted environments. Furthermore, in the case of actuation and displacement measurement on the same side, additional sensor components are also required. The quality and thus the realistic simulation of feedback in combination with limited space available are difficult challenges for a switch. Finally, today's actuators consume a great amount of energy which results in high operating costs. In the last decade, therefore, the interest into a new technology and "smart materials" has considerably increased. This is why Datwyler and CTsystems have partnered up to distribute and industrialize the latter's new polymer transducer technology resulting in stacked polymer actuators which replace and outperform conventional actuation technologies, for use in various applications. Some of the improvements of the new technology include: low energy consumption, no complex mechanical parts, a robust and resilient design, and noise-free operation with sensing and haptic/tactile feedback functionalities. A flexible solution for numerous applications. SOLUTION The stacked design of the new multi-layer actuator allows high contraction movement and tension force capabilities. The particular design of the dielectric elastomer used in the actuator, is based on a series of flexible capacitors electrically connected in parallel to alternating polarities of each layer. This new arrangement makes EAP technology suitable for a wider range of potential applications. These elastomers have the particularity of being silent and generating no vibration. In addition, this new technology directly integrates sensing functionalities (no additional sensor components) which makes the actuator more compact. These two parameters make the integration of this new solution optimal in restricted and mechanically precise systems. The same sensing functionalities are enhanced by offering short response time, adaptable amplitude shapes and a wide frequency range. This makes its use much more interesting for haptic/tactile human machine interfaces. Finally, the energy consumption of the new actuator is significantly lower than those of conventional actuators, which therefore reduces the operating costs of the mechanical system that integrates them. HOW IT WORKS Electro-mechanical transducer made of soft and elastic polymer. Electrical power turns into mechanical motion by elastic deformation. Our unique thin layer silicone stacks allow tactile and sensitive actuation and sensing. Reliable electrostatic working principle for multipurpose and efficient operation. KEY BENEFITS Position holding Green, efficient and mobile application with very low energy consumption (close to nothing). Stepless proportional positioning Light weight, solid and compact size by voltage governed stroke. Actuation and sensing Cost-saving monoblock and integration with simultaneous actuation and sensing capability allowing high versatility of operation. Macro scale stroke Resilient, enduring design through low material stiffness, high insulation. Noise free actuation Maintenance and noise free thanks to stroke by pure material deformation. Low-cost device given by processing technology driven costs. Compact and lightweight constituted by high energy density. DEVELOPMENT KIT Order your own tailor-made prototype now. Get in touch with our Datwyler expert and order your own personal development kit that meets your specific requirements. The development kit includes the control unit, the software to adjust all the parameters, and all the essential hardware. Easy to assemble, it allows you to get started with our new technology immediately. Create your own tailor-made Electro Active Polymers (EAP) prototype now. Development kit APPLICATION EAP Pump demonstrator with adaptive fluid control. Video content This website uses no cookies by default and hides content which requires cookies to be displayed. If you want to see content like this you have to allow third party cookies. Read more about cookies in our Privacy policy. Allow third party cookies GENERAL PROPERTIES 10N Max. actuation force 5-7 % Max. contraction below 2ms Actuation time 50 Hz Actuation frequency -40°C to +130°C Temperature resistance PUBLICATION Electro Active Polymers (EAP) Leaflet PDF, 153.19 KB CONTACT Are you interested in our technology? We would be happy to assist you. Dr. Norbert Haberland Head of Business Development and Cooperation norbert.haberland@datwyler.com T +41 41 875 13 13 Advanced Technologies Department at@datwyler.com Daetwyler Switzerland Inc. Militärstrasse 7 6467 Schattdorf Switzerland In cooporation with CTsystems Home Technology & Innovation Advanced Technologies Strategic Fields Electro Active Polymers (EAP) Company Healthcare Solutions Industrial Solutions Dätwyler IT Infra AG LANGUAGE SWITCHER 中文 Deutsch English LinkedIn YouTube Twitter Privacy Policy Legal notice Contact Sitemap Search © 2021 Dätwyler Holding Inc. All rights reserved. Cookie settings To enjoy the entire content and full feature set of this website and allow us to anonymously track data for statistical and analytical purposes it is necessary to set cookies. It's your choice to allow this. Read more about that in our Privacy policy. Allow Dismiss Language settings LANGUAGE SWITCHER 中文 Deutsch English