Locomotion of walking insects is exceptionally efficient. The function of their leg joints in different movement scenarios depends on their kinematics and contacting conditions between moving parts. The kinematics was previously studied in some insects, but contact mechanics within the joints remains largely unknown. In order to understand the complex topology of the contacting surfaces of the leg joints in the Congo rose beetle Pachnoda marginata peregrina (Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae), we have investigated the shape, the waviness, and the roughness of the joint base and its counter body by applying confocal laser scanning microscopy and white light interferometry. Additionally, we performed nanoindentation tests on the contacting joint surfaces, in order to analyze material properties (elasticity modulus and hardness) of the joint cuticle. We found two topological design principles of the contact surfaces that might be considered as adaptations for reducing frictional drag during leg movements. First, the contact pairs of all leg joints studied consist of convex and concave counterparts. Second, there is a smooth and a rough surface in contact in which microprotuberances are present on the rough surface. These principles might be potentially interesting for technical implications, to design bioinspired joints with both reduced friction and wear rate.

The efficient locomotion of insects is not only inspiring for control algorithms but also promises innovations for the reduction of friction in joints. After previous analysis of the leg kinematics and the topological characterization of the contacting joint surfaces in the beetle Pachnoda marginata, in the present paper, we report on the measurement of the coefficient of friction within the leg joints exhibiting an anisotropic frictional behavior in different sliding directions. In addition, the simulation of the mechanical behavior of a single microstructural element helped us to understand the interactions between the contact parts of this tribological system. These findings were partly transferred to a technical contact pair which is typical for such an application as joint connectors in the automotive field. This innovation helped to reduce the coefficient of friction under dry sliding conditions up to 17%.

Biomimetic product development builds a bridge between the scientific disciplines engineering and biology and represents a cross-disciplinary knowledge circulation, which can produce highly innovative advancements in technology. The methodological support for such projects was initiated by the VDI guideline 6220 by 2012 [1] and still requires further research. The method presented in this abstract tries to provide a significant contribution to the successful transfer of knowledge across disciplines, to convey innovative solutions from biology to technology. The central idea of the method called Heli-Act (an acronym of Helix and Action) described here is based on the system-theoretical analysis of the action and the action carrier, the action circle and the action line under the relevant aspects of the socio-technical integration of methods and tools that will support the action carrier in the biomimetic development process. As a cross-common “language” general systems theory is used, which also includes the mathematical modeling system for both action as well as for object systems, which allows a computer-assisted method implementation. For the association of specialized terminology of the disciplines involved in the cross-disciplinary communication a semantic network is used to derive a translation tool in the Ontology World Language (OWL). Practical application experiences from a current project are presented, which describes the tribological optimization of a technical joint by awareness from the analysis of insects joints.