For this week assignment I started developing the opening mechaninsm for my final project spore lighting system
I decided to try build an artificial muscles using fishing rope.
Researching the web suggested me to try this experimental method to obtain traction force out of very simple materials and processes. If properly twisted a nylon wire becomes a spring that compresses itself when heated.
My Nylon wire was 0.5 mm diameter so the first step was to find out the proper weight that can provide a correct shaping for the spring. In this case I twisted the wire with 200gr weight that wasn't enought.
350 gr was right to obtain a clean spring. This is very interesting it actually works as a spring.
I than tried to heat it using an hairdryer while the 300 gr weight was still hanged. It resulted in a breaking. The lift up didn't take place, the nylon while heated become longer and suddenly broke.
I tested different methods using different weights and heating temperatures without luck. It is much harder than what seen surfing the web. I'm now thinking in having some more attempts and than searching for a different solution.
I semplified the final project deciding to use a simple DC motor.
I settled some components to fix motors inside structural tubes.
All the tendons are attached to the twistind disc.
Connections to satshakit are provided.
Connections to satshakit are provided.
Using a breadboard and connections as in the h-bridge datasheet i can porvide 9 volts to motors and control direction.
The final result.