Step 2: Holes & Blends
Add channel holes
- Now, we build the holes into the cylinders to get our channels (Insert → Design Feature → Hole).
- Zoom in on one channel as shown in the image below and choose the edge of the extruded cylinder.
- The edge should be highlighted in yellow.
- Now enter the data for the channel.
- Set the “Diameter” to 7mm, the “Depth” to 50 mm and the “Tip Angle” to 150°.
- Finalize by clicking “OK”.
- Repeat this process for the left channel.
- The middle channel uses the same procedure, but with a diameter of 3 mm.
- To check whether your channels penetrate into the combustion chamber or not, use “Crtl+H” to open the “View Section”.
- Choose the YC-orientation and click “OK”.
- Now, your actuator should look like the figure below. If so, exit the “View Section” (View → Section → Clip Work Section)
Add edge blends
- Now, we add edge blends in order to smooth the surface.
- This is important, since the silicone has a higher chance to tear where there is an incisive angle.
- Insert a blend (Insert → Detail Feature → Edge Blend).
- Choose edge separating the horizontal cylinder from the combustion chamber.
- Choose a radius of 10 mm.
- Finalize by clicking “OK”.
- Select the two edges shown below and use a radius of 2 mm.
- Select the edges shown below and use a radius of 1 mm.
- The edges shown below should also have a radius of 2 mm.
- Finalize again by clicking “OK”. You now have designed your combustion driven actuator.
Bibliography
Loepfe et al. (2015) Contrast Agent Incorporation into Silicone Enables Real‐Time Flow‐Structure Analysis of Mammalian Vein‐Inspired Soft Pumps.
Loepfe et al. (2015) An Untethered, Jumping Roly-Poly Soft Robot Driven by Combustion.
Loepfe et al. (2014) Design, Performance and Reinforcement of Bearing-Free Soft Silicone Combustion-Driven Pumps.
Schumacher et al. (2014) 3D printed lost-wax casted soft silicone monoblocks enable heart-inspired pumping by internal combustion.
Shepard et al. (2013) Using Explosions to Power a Soft Robot.
Stergiopulos et al. (2014) A Soft Combustion-Driven Pump For Soft Robots.
Contributors
Michael Loepfe