PneuFlex actuator step-by-step production tutorial

This tutorial shows you how to make your own PneuFlex actuators step by step.
You can find the written guide here:
www.robotics.tu-berlin.de/menu...
PneuFlex actuators belong to the family of continuum actuators, and they have several advantageous properties, such as easy customizability, low cost, intrinsical compliance and simple production process.

[@Callummullans]

Danker this was very informative and I cannot wait to start my own soft robot project

[@PopBoomPop]

I really love this video

[@rawphi1]

Shrinking is usually in the 0.1% range, so that is a non issue.
If you want to create very thin silicone layers, you probably need to use injection molding techniques instead of gravitational flow. Nevertheless, there's a lower limit on layer thickness, as the rubber will simply bulge between the reinforcement helix threads.

[@aminerahal9419]

thanks

[@slvdr7067]

Dear, amazing tutorial, thank you. Which kind of color are you using for the silicone?

[@ayushkaiwart2451]

Its cool.

[@utshatex08]

superschön

[@TorIvanBoine]

page not found

[@armwrestling_nerd]

How strong can you expect the actuator to be?
If you make gloves with actuators on the outside of the hands (knuckles) iäare thos strong enough to help people with spastic hands to open and close their fingers?

[@kshitijghanekar345]

Not really sure as the poster doesnt seem to respond to anyone. According to me it depends on the pressure of the compressed air as well as the stiffness of the flex material after curing. For a stiffer material more air pressure will be required which will in turn allow it to grip things stronger, and in your case might be like an exoskeleton for people with spastic hands

[@mtavakoli]

Probably out of the context, but what would be the minimum thickness of silicon layer you may build in a mold? Do you think 0.5mm is possible? Second question, does the silicon part experience any size retraction after its cured? Thanks

[@TheZahnputz]

the amount of trapped air bubbles in your mold is excessive. you should reconsider your pouring and venting technique (eg low point injection)

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

You don't explain the purpose of the double-helix thread on the actuator, and why it needs to be in this pattern. Nor do you explain the purpose of the stiff material glued to one side of the actuator, and how this works with the thread. It would have been nice if you had explained Why and How the actuator works. Other than that, nice video.

[@kshitijghanekar345]

As far as i know , the stiff material decides in which direction should the finger bend. As the stiff material cannot expans its opposite face will expand causing the finger to bend towards the stiffer side. Also the string is needed but the pattern can be of any type. The string prevents excess accumulation of air in only one point, which can orrcur due to errors in forming process. The string sort of makes sure the finger expands evenly during operation.

[@aefaefaaefawfawfawf3784]

new toy for women... and some men