Prototype and Characterization of Submillimeter-Scale Gears Using 3D Printer

Abstract

High-torque micromotors are essential to drive microrobots for applications such as minimally invasive medicine and pipe inside inspection. However, a reduction in torque is physically unavoidable as motors become smaller. In this study, we build a micro reduction gear to be mounted on a micro ultrasonic motor of approximately 2 mm in size. The gear components are fabricated using a 3D printer that uses ultraviolet light and MEMS mirrors to achieve miniaturization and high resolution. A prototype gear unit was fabricated, and the transmission efficiency, strength, and improvement methods were investigated, and the results were verified using the finite element method.