Abstract: Aiming at the problems of complex structure and soft material workpiece forming by traditional reverse process, a workpiece rapid prototyping method combining reverse technology and die technology was proposed. Taking the multi-cavity pneumatic driver made of soft material as an example, the point cloud data of the workpiece was collected by laser scanning system, and the point cloud data was preprocessed by Geomagic Design X. The 3D model of the soft pneumatic driver was reconstructed according to the surface fitting method. The Boolean operation results of the transition model and the reconstructed soft pneumatic actuator model were disassembled and processed. The casting mold was made by using 3D printing technology and die sealing technology, and the rapid prototyping of multi-cavity pneumatic actuator was completed. The results show that the maximum upper deviation of the reconstructed 3D model is 0.064 2, the maximum lower deviation is 0.195 2, and the standard deviation is 0.063 7, which can meet the demand of model accuracy. At the same time, the reverse technology and die technology can be used to complete the rapid manufacturing of multi-cavity pneumatic actuator. This method provides a feasible research idea for the rapid prototyping of software material workpiece with complex structure.

Key words:  pneumatic actuator;3D scanning technology; reverse modeling;point cloud processing; surface reconstruction; mold design

WANG Xin-Jie, XU Wu-wei, ZHENG Hua-dong, et al. Reverse modeling and manufacturing of multi-cavity pneumatic actuator［J］.Journal of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, 2021,38(11):1437-1443.