List of Speakers

Abstract: 

Silicone materials and manual molding processes are widely used in the fabrication of soft robots. This approach provides an accessible starting point for soft robot fabrication using 3D-printed molds. However, for robots with complex geometries, fabrication often involves multiple molding steps and the bonding of different components, which can result in reduced durability and significant individual variation due to unavoidable manual operations. In this study, liquid silicone 3D-printing technology was employed to fabricate a soft robotic gripper for the high-speed packaging of breadcrumb-coated oysters. The gripper design is based on a PneuNet actuator with an internal hollow structure for pneumatic actuation. By carefully designing the internal hollow geometry, the gripper can be fabricated in a single printing process, thereby improving durability and manufacturing consistency. The stiffness of the gripper was also optimized through finite element analysis to ensure stable performance under high-acceleration conditions. As a result, the developed gripper successfully performed the packaging task at a speed exceeding 80 pieces per minute, satisfying industrial requirements. Food compatibility and actuation durability were also evaluated, and the results demonstrated good food compatibility and a lifetime exceeding 3 million actuation cycles. In this talk, the entire development process will be presented, including the application scenario, industrial requirements, gripper design, finite element analysis, fabrication process, food compatibility and durability testing, and industrial implementation. 

Bio:

Education:

2007-2011 Dr. Eng.    Ritsumeikan University

Professional Career:

2026.4–present Professor, Ritsumeikan University

2019.4-2026.3   Associate Professor, Ritsumeikan University

2014.4-2019.3   Assistant Professor, Ritsumeikan University

2012.4-2014.3   Senior Researcher, Ritsumeikan University

2011.4–2012.3  Research Associate, Ritsumeikan University 

Abstract: 

Thin-walled structures that undergo large, reversible deformation are central to multistable structures, origami, kirigami, and soft robotics. However, existing fabrication methods often face trade-offs among durability, surface quality, processing simplicity, and geometric freedom. Here, we introduce additive manufacturing-facilitated blow molding (AM-BM), which replaces conventional metal molds with 3D-printed resin molds to rapidly fabricate thin-walled thermoplastic components. We demonstrate AM-BM through multistable structures with programmable buckling, origami and kirigami structures with scalable complexity and uniform properties, and soft actuators and robots with high load-to-weight ratios and rapid response. AM-BM provides a versatile route to thin-walled structures combining geometric freedom, mechanical functionality, and scalable production.

Bio:

2024-present PhD student, ETH Zurich

2021-2023 Master in mechanical engineering, ETH Zurich

2017-2020 Bachelor in mechanical engineering, Beihang University

Abstract: 

This presentation introduces the development of quadruped walking robots using high-strength FFF/FDM 3D-printed polymer parts. The main material is POTICON filament, a potassium-titanate-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic with higher stiffness, strength, and heat resistance than ordinary PLA or ABS. The TITAN-E1 robot, weighing about 14 kg, used 3D-printed structural parts and demonstrated walking at 150 mm/s and payload walking with 5 kg. The presentation also reports a 3D-printed trochoidal reducer, whose initial durability was insufficient but later improved to 929 hours of cumulative operation. Overall, the work highlights both the promise and design challenges of functional 3D-printed robot components. 

Bio:

Education:

1998-2000 Ph.D.      Tokyo Institute of Technology

1996-1998 M. E.     Tokyo Institute of Technology

1992-1996 B. E.      Tokyo Institute of Technology

Professional Career:

2021.4–present Professor, Institute of Science Tokyo

　　　　　　　(formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology) 

2015.4-2021.3   Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

2014.4-2015.3   Associate Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

2008.4-2014.3   Assistant Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

2007.4-2008.3   Adjunct Assistant Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

2000.9-2007.3   Researcher, Sony Corporation

Abstract: 

In contradistinction to industrial robots, which have become prevalent in factories for high-speed and high-precision tasks, robots designed to work in close proximity to humans must meet stringent safety requirements. In light of the projected reliance on battery power, the minimization of energy consumption emerges as a pivotal concern. A reduction in the robot's weight is a critical factor in ensuring both safety and energy efficiency. However, the process of weight reduction often results in a reduction of stiffness and strength. In this presentation, I will introduce our efforts to develop a robot that achieves weight reduction while maintaining sufficient strength.

Bio:

Education:

1997-2000 Ph.D.      Osaka University

1995-1997 M. E.      University of Electro-Communications

1991-1995 B. E.      University of Electro-Communications

Professional Career:

2023.4-present   Professor, Tokyo Metropolitan University

2008.4-2023.3   Associate Professor, Tokyo Metropolitan University

2005.12-2008.3   Associate Professor, Nagoya Institute of Technology

2003.4-2005.11   Assistant Professor, Nagoya Institute of Technology

2000.4-2003.3   Research Associate, Osaka University

1997.4-2000.3.  Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Abstract: 

3D printers are extremely useful to make robots with lightweight. However, mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness, and aging behavior still remain unknown. Furthermore, these properties have significantly dependency on the fabricating 3D printer, printing temperature, using nozzle, and differences in materials and internal infill structures. Due to these factors, the design methodology which is fabricated robot parts using 3D printers have unclear. We aim to establish methodologies for designing lightweight robots using 3D printers. First, the mechanical properties, that is the hygroscopic properties, size changes, strength and stiffness changes, of 3D printed parts. Second, mechanical properties depends on printing conditions changes are measured and clarified.  And finally, a design methodology came from these experimental results that derives required strength and stiffness is discussed. 

Bio:

Education:

1997-2000  Ph.D. Tokyo Institute of Technology

1995-1997  M. E. Tokyo Institute of Technology

1991-1995  B. E. Doshisha University

Professional Career:

2013.4-present Professor, Chiba Institute of Technology

2008.4-2013.3 Associate Professor, Chiba Institute of Technology

2006.4-2008.3   Assistant Professor, Nagoya University

2004.4-2006.3   Assistant Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology

2000.4-2003.3 Researcher, Tokyo Institute of Technology 

Abstract: 

Lightweight structures are important for improving the performance of 

mechanical and robotic systems. In this study, a lightweight structure 

fabricated by 3D printing is proposed and its vibration characteristics are 

investigated. The proposed structure is designed to reduce weight while 

maintaining mechanical strength. Prototypes of the structure are fabricated 

using a 3D printer, and vibration experiments are conducted to evaluate 

their dynamic characteristics. The damping ratio and settling time of the 

structure are calculated from the measured vibration responses. The 

experimental results demonstrate the vibration characteristics of the 

proposed lightweight structure and confirm the feasibility of the design 

for lightweight structural applications.

Bio:

Education:

2003-2006 Ph.D. Tokyo Institute of Technology

2000-2002 M. S. Tokyo University of Science

1996-2000 B. S. Tokyo University of Science

Professional Career:

2020.4-present Professor, Hiroshima University

2011.8-2020.3 Associate Professor, Hiroshima University

2007.4-2011.7   Assistant Professor, Hiroshima University

2006.4-2007.3   Researcher, Tokyo Institute of Technology

2002.4-2004.3 DISCO Corporation

Abstract: 

The market offers a variety of fiber-reinforced materials for FFF 3D printing.

Gutenberg and Otsuka Chemical are working on 3D printing using POTICON (POtassium Titanite Compound) filament, which incorporates potassium titanate fibers.

POTICON exhibits excellent strength and possesses superior properties not found in filaments reinforced with carbon or glass fibers.

This presentation will introduce the characteristics of our 3D printer and POTICON filament, as well as examples of their application in robotics.

Bio:

2021- Hardware Engineer at Gutenberg Co., Ltd.

2014-2021 3Dprint Engineer at InfoCore Co., Ltd

2006-2014 Mechanical Engineer at DRD Co., Ltd

2001-2006 National Institute of Technology, Kochi College