# Automated Shear Strength Characterization at Micro Scales Based on a Microrobotic System

## TL;DR

A new microrobotic system enables automated testing of material strength at micro scales, improving precision and reliability for advanced material development.

## Contribution

An automated microrobotic system with real-time image processing and a soft force sensor for precise microscale shear strength characterization.

## Key findings

- A 6-DOF microrobotic system was developed for microscale sample alignment and testing.
- The system achieved high precision and reliability in experiments with copper wires and graphite films.

## Abstract

Mechanical properties are critical for characterizing and fabricating advanced materials. While current characterization methods are well-established for the nanoscale and larger millimeter-scale, a significant gap exists in automated testing at the microscale. To address this, we propose an automated, rapid characterization method based on a microrobotic system. We first develop a 6-degree-of-freedom (DOF) microrobotic system for sample alignment and testing. An image processing method is then designed for real-time sample recognition, supplying essential feedback for both alignment and testing procedures. Furthermore, a soft force sensor is fabricated and calibrated to ensure precise force measurement. Experiments on copper wires and graphite films demonstrate the method’s high precision and reliability. This work provides a robust solution for microscale mechanical property characterization, offering significant potential for advanced material development.