Application of auxetic structures in 3D printed force sensors and pressure mapping

Despite being a well-developed technology, the application of pressure mapping is limited due to the cost of these systems. This research aims to expand the use of pressure mapping by decreasing the cost of fabrication, specifically by focusing on decreasing the cost to manufacture the individual force sensors through the application of auxetic structures, which are a type of meta-material that possesses a negative Poisson’s Ratio, resulting in the structure collapsing inwards on itself under compression. These structures have been found to exhibit unique properties such as increased energy absorption, better vibrational dampening, and increased uniformity in its compressive deformation, and have been used in this research to develop a new piezoresistive sensor that is compatible with FDM printing. This research investigated the effect of auxetic structures in compressive piezoresistive force sensors and found that a force sensor with auxetic structures have increased linearity and sensitivity alongside being more cost-effective than commercially available force sensors. Furthermore, this research outlines the development of a cost-effective pressure map that utilizes a 6x6 array of force sensors.