Company news
Introducing robotics and dextrous systems
We print soft grips, finger mechanisms, gripper assemblies and actuator housings for robotics teams in the US, Europe and the UAE.
HenleyPrint3D engineering2 min readUpdated Published
Key takeaways
- SLA soft robotic grips with integrated bellows, run on compressed air.
- FDM mounting parts and housings for biomedical engineering customers.
- Flexible 80A SLA splines shipped to Switzerland.
Suits
Robotics teams iterating grippers, soft actuators and housings.
Worth knowing
Soft parts have low stiffness, so pair them with a rigid structure.
Parts we print for robotics
| Part | Process | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Soft robotic grips with integrated bellows | SLA, driven by compressed air | UAE biomedical robotics customer |
| Splines | SLA, Flexible 80A | Shipped to Switzerland for biomedical engineering |
| High-precision mounting reinforcements | FDM, tight tolerances | US biomedical engineering company |
| Finger mechanisms, grippers, actuator housings | By requirement | Humanoid and autonomous platforms |
Key figures
| Figure | Value |
|---|---|
| Lead time from | 1 calendar day (FDM and SLA) |
| SLA layer height | From 10 microns |
| SLA tolerance | ±0.5% (min ±0.1 mm) |
| FDM tolerance | ±0.5% (min ±0.3 mm) |
A soft gripper prints as one part with its bellows built in and runs on compressed air. SLA gives the fine bellows detail and flexible resin gives the movement. Rigid housings and brackets print on FDM in nylon or ASA.
Process choice by robot part
| Part | Choose |
|---|---|
| Soft grip or bellows | SLA, flexible resin |
| Seals and bumpers | FDM TPU |
| Housings and brackets | FDM nylon or ASA, or SLS nylon |
| Detailed rigid fingers | SLA standard or tough resin |
Related: our robotics work, robotics and automation parts, SLA resins and the UK 3D printing service guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can SLA print soft robotic grips?
Yes. We produced SLA soft grips with integrated bellows, driven by compressed air, for a UAE biomedical robotics customer.
Which flexible materials do you use?
TPU on FDM, and flexible resins on SLA, including Flexible 80A.
Can you print parts for biomedical engineering?
Yes. Examples include Flexible 80A splines shipped to Switzerland and FDM mounting reinforcements shipped to the US.
How quickly can I get parts?
Lead time starts from 1 calendar day.
Get started
Talk to an engineer about your part.
Send us your CAD or describe the problem. We recommend the process, material and finish, and quote with the lead time up front.
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