Energy conversion of electrostrictive poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/Graphene composites

This study investigates energy-conversion properties of the electrostrictive polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), P(VDF-HFP), filled with graphene nanosheets (GNPs). The composites (i.e., P(VDF-HFP) and GNPs) were fabricated by using the solution casting method. The dielectric constant of these electrostrictive materials was measured to observe the energy conversion property with different frequencies using an LCR meter. Their mechanical properties were measured using a photonic sensor with varying various input vibrations and electric fields to calculate their electrostrictive coefficients. These characterized results revealed that dielectric constants and electrostrictive coefficients were significantly increased when GNPs fillers were filled higher. For the electrical property, the generating current, which was measured across these polymer films, increased proportionally with respect to the adding GNPs. In this obtained result, the main finding of P(VDF-HFP)/GNPs composites is a promising electrostrictive material for applications of electromechanical energy conversions in many smart-material systems.

MECHATRONIC CLAMPING MECHANISM WITH ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR FOR MACHINE SPINDLE UNITS

The design of the clamping mechanism for fixing workpieces and tools in the spindle assemblies of machines that is equipped with an additional subsystem to provide the possibility of programmable settings to the required clamping force is presented. The electronic unit and electromechanical energy converters provide the possibility of reconfiguration by reprogramming the clamping mechanism according to the different tasks comparatively easily. The obtained results help to expand the functionality of clamping mechanisms, and consequently the functionality of machine tools and their technological flexibility.