#  Preparing braided mesh 

 



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  expand\_more  

 
  

 

#### Materials

Sort ![image2](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/image2.jpeg)

 



 ![image3](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/image3.jpeg)

 



 ![image4](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/image4.jpeg)

 



Braided mesh sleeving (i.e. TechFlex)  
1/8” dia, cut to 75mm long piece

Metal support rod  
(slightly larger diameter than mesh)

Lighter





 ![image1](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2025-05/image1.jpeg)

 

#### Lock end



 

Push the mesh onto the support rod, leaving a few mm hanging off the end.

Sort ![a](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/a.png)

 



Hold a flame 2-3 mm away from the mesh, rotating it slowly, until the loose strands melt and fuse into a ring.

\[[Video: Melt ring](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXp6Dl9q19g)\]







Sort ![aa](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/aa.png)

 



Remove the mesh from the rod.





#### Close other end

Sort ![aaa](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/aaa.png)

 



Gather the strands of the other end into a bundle and hold them together with a tool. There are several ways to do this – i.e. a M2.5 lock nut is used here – such as clamping forceps, a metal fixture with a hole in it, a washer, etc.

\[[Video: Add nut](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v-oDkcVvG4)\]







Sort ![aaaa](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/aaaa.png)

 

 ![aaaaa](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/aaaaa.jpg)

 



Hold a flame 2-3mm away until the ends melt and fuse, into one clump this time.

\[[Video: Close end](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z6COjRsdPc)\]







#### Check

Sort ![b](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/2024-11/b.png)

 



Check that the ends are secure by compressing the mesh against a flat surface. It should not fray.

\[[Video: Test end](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzPopQA4O-0)\]







### Bibliography

Obiajulu et al. (2013) [Soft Pneumatic Artificial Muscles With Low Threshold Pressures for a Cardiac Compression Device](/publications/soft-pneumatic-artificial-muscles-low-threshold-pressures-cardiac).

Roche et al. (2014) [A Bioinspired Soft Actuated Material](/publications/bioinspired-soft-actuated-material-0).

Chou & Hannaford. (1996) [Measurement and modeling of McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles](/publications/measurement-and-modeling-mckibben-pneumatic-artificial-muscles).

Doumit et al. (2009) [Analytical Modeling and Experimental Validation of the Braided Pneumatic Muscle](/publications/analytical-modeling-and-experimental-validation-braided-pneumatic-muscle).

Tondu et al. (2012) [Modelling of the McKibben artificial muscle: A review](/publications/modelling-mckibben-artificial-muscle-review).

### Contributors

Ellen Roche