Scalable and efficient fabrication of surface microstructures using a small wheeled robot with a vibration-cutting tool

Abstract

Bioinspired microstructure emerges as a powerful technique to enhance the surface functionalities and properties in a seizes of breakthrough areas. However, its application is limited by the scalability of fabrication methods. This study introduces a scalable fabrication technique utilizing a small wheeled robot designed to operate on a workpiece surface. Due to its unique three-point-support design, the robot maintains a stable cutting depth and exhibits high adaptability to large-scale workpieces. Motion stability is calibrated using a laser displacement sensor, achieving a maximum velocity of approximately 3.7 mm/s. Finally, the robot successfully produces microstructures with a height of 8 μm on aluminum workpieces, demonstrating its promising capacity.