#  Fibers Installed in a Sheet 

 



 ##  

  expand\_more  

 
  

 

 Fibers can be used for articulation, sensing, and actuation in thin robotic parts (<1mm thick).

 For example, we used conductive threads to add soft electromechanical switches to a bendable, laser cut polymer sheet using an embroidery machine.

   ![Thread bistable switch](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/srtsandbox/files/screen_shot_2017-06-11_at_9.14.44_pm.png?itok=LwZJ16vk) 

 

 Here is a hinged-plate structure with threads as hinges produced by our aligned embroidery method. The magenta threads are hinges that hold it together, while the white threads heat-shrink to lock in the folded shape. These fibers were installed in pre-cut planar pieces using water-soluble materials to hold the parts in place during sewing.

   ![Fibers in a sheet](/sites/g/files/omnuum4601/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/srtsandbox/files/6-9-2017_4-58-00_pm.jpg?itok=e2BDSEFN) 

 

 Aligned embroidery can also install functional fibers into soft materials such as elastomers and textiles. In [this tutorial](/integrating-fibers/fabrication/thick-fibers) we show how to align an optical fiber along a path in a soft material.