Flat Soft Actuators From Images

Soft robotics is a growing sub-field of robotics involving using soft materials and compliant methods of actuation to maker robots. For some time I've been looking for an solution to allow people to easily create their own custom soft actuators with minimal input. Based off of the work found here: http://www.kevincgalloway.com/portfolio/zero-volu... I've written a Thingiverse Customizer script, that allows you to turn black and white images into the mold and stencil needed to create a flat soft actuator that inflates to the shape of the image.

Materials:

• Mold release
• Silicone
• 1/16" Tubing
• Air source (Mouth, pump, syringe)

Tools:

• Cup
• Spoon
• Tweezers
• 3D printer

Use any image manipulation tool (I used GIMP) to create a black-and-white image. What is black will become the air chamber and what is white will become solid. Here are the rules you need to follow when designing:

• Image has to be 100x100
• The only colors that can be used are black and white, no grey
• There can be no "floating" white parts. This would result in a stencil that is multiple pieces (you can have floating black parts however).
• There must be a 5 pixel-wide border around you design.

Open the Customizer page on Thingiverse and add in your image. These are what the different parameters do:

• Side Length: Since the generated actuator is a square this will be the length of all sides.
  • Side Note: You can cut your actuator later as long as it does not cut into the air chamber
• Layer 1 Height: Since the flat actuators are made of two layers of silicone, you can choose the height of each. This is the layer that is lower in the mold.

• Layer 2 Height: Since the flat actuators are made of two layers of silicone, you can choose the height of each. This is the layer that is higher in the mold.

When you are satisfied, press "Create Thing" and download the stencil .STL and the mold .STL.

Print them out on your 3D printer. Use 3 shells and .1mm-.2mm layer height.

Mix up some EcoFlex silicone. Ecoflex is a 1A:1B ration silicone, meaning you should have an equal amount of both liquids. I suggest mixing it in a paper cup with a spoon. Pour it into the mold, only up to the first brim, and let it cure for 4 hours.

Snap the stencil into the mold. It should be flush with the first silicone layer. Spray a generous amount of mold release onto the exposed silicone. It should be enough that the surface looks gooey and liquidy. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then remove the stencil.

Mix up some more EcoFlex silicone. Fill the rest of the mold up. Let it cure for 4 hours.

Once layer 2 has cured, you can now peel the entire actuator out of the mold. You can check to see that the layers did not stick together on the design by rubbing it with your fingers. Take tweezers and poke a hole through the side of the actuator at the seam in between the two layers. Make sure the hole reaches the air chamber. Stick the 1/16" tubing through the hole and connect the other end to your air source. Now you can inflate!