The Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications

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dc.contributor.authorNyanga, Lungile
dc.contributor.authorGovender, Reuben A.
dc.contributor.authorMatope, Stephen
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-09T11:08:50Z
dc.date.available2026-01-09T11:08:50Z
dc.date.issued2026-12-12
dc.description.abstractSynthetic dry adhesives have been developed to mimic the gecko’s adhesion using lithography and micro-machining of a mould to cast a suitable elastomer. Previous international studies used nano-manufacturing processes, which are expensive and are not readily available in South Africa. In this study, a simple micro-machining method was used using a three-axis milling machine and Vytaflex 30 to develop an adhesive pad. The Taguchi method to design experiments was used to determine the optimum machining conditions to create micro-wedges. The results show that, although a maximum adhesion pressure of 1,924 Pa was obtained with a preload pressure of 1,323 Pa, the adhesion force produced might not be suitable for macro-handling applications.
dc.identifier.apacitationNyanga, L., Govender, Reuben A., & Matope, S. (2026). The Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications. <i>South African Journal of Industrial Engineering</i>, 36(4), 148-159. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42497en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationNyanga, Lungile, Reuben A. Govender, and Stephen Matope "The Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications." <i>South African Journal of Industrial Engineering</i> 36, 4. (2026): 148-159. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42497en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationNyanga, L., Govender, Reuben A. & Matope, S. 2026. The Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications. <i>South African Journal of Industrial Engineering.</i> 36(4):148-159. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42497en_ZA
dc.identifier.issneISSN-2224-7890
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Nyanga, Lungile AU - Govender, Reuben A. AU - Matope, Stephen AB - Synthetic dry adhesives have been developed to mimic the gecko’s adhesion using lithography and micro-machining of a mould to cast a suitable elastomer. Previous international studies used nano-manufacturing processes, which are expensive and are not readily available in South Africa. In this study, a simple micro-machining method was used using a three-axis milling machine and Vytaflex 30 to develop an adhesive pad. The Taguchi method to design experiments was used to determine the optimum machining conditions to create micro-wedges. The results show that, although a maximum adhesion pressure of 1,924 Pa was obtained with a preload pressure of 1,323 Pa, the adhesion force produced might not be suitable for macro-handling applications. DA - 2026-12-12 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 4 J1 - South African Journal of Industrial Engineering KW - Dry Adhesive KW - Robotics KW - Taguchi Design of Experiments LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2026 SM - eISSN-2224-7890 T1 - The Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications TI - The Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42497 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.7166/36-4-3193
dc.identifier.urihttps://sajie.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/3193
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42497
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationNyanga L, Govender Reuben A, Matope S. The Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering. 2026;36(4):148-159. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42497.en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Mechanical Engineering
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.sourceSouth African Journal of Industrial Engineering
dc.source.journalissue4
dc.source.journalvolume36
dc.source.pagination148-159
dc.subjectDry Adhesive
dc.subjectRobotics
dc.subjectTaguchi Design of Experiments
dc.titleThe Application of Taguchi Experiments in Developing Gecko-Inspired Dry Adhesive for Macro-Handling Applications
dc.typeJournal Article
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