Bill of Materials

This section will give a list of items that are used in this project with selected links to suppliers. You can download a more detailed Bill of Materials sheet here.

Note: Many of the items listed are just examples and you can use your own discretion to substitute parts which are easier or cheaper to obtain. 

Mold Components

Steel half-round rod*, 2 sets of molds (one for actuator body, one for outer skin coating)
Note: only one set of molds is shown in the image.

* The diameter and length of the half-round rod depends on the size of the actuator you want to make. In the fabrication and CAD tutorials shown here, we use a 1/2" diameter rod (supplier link), which has been cut with a hacksaw or bandsaw to be 3-4 cm longer than the planned actuator length. After cutting the rod, be sure to deburr and file the ends so that they are smooth and will fit well into the corresponding slots in the molds.

Click here to download the .STL files  needed to 3D print the molds for an actuator that is compatible with a 1/2" diameter rod, has 2mm wall thickness, and is 170mm long.

If you would like to modify the molds (for example if you want to use a rod of different dimensions) click here to download the SolidWorks part files.

Polymer Materials

Dragon Skin 10 (or 20) 2-part silicone rubber (datasheet)

Elastosil M4601 2-part silicone rubber (datasheet)

(Note: Dragon Skin 30 is a feasible alternative to Elastosil M4601)

Silicone sealant, Wacker Elastosil E951 (datasheet) OR Smooth-On Sil-Poxy (datasheet)

Other Materials

#10-32 vented screw (supplier link) + nut Laser-cut washers, 3mm acrylic (download DXF file) Kevlar thread (supplier link)
PTFE (teflon) pipe thread sealing tape Fiberglass fabric Isopropanol (IPA)

Tools & Hardware

Thin metal rod for piercing Quick-grip spring clamps Long** hex key (compatible with vented screw, 5/32" hex)

Lab gloves X-acto knife Female threaded hex standoff (supplier link) & tubing-to-male threaded pipe adapter (supplier link)***

** The length of the hex key also depends on the planned length of your actuator. It should be at least as long as your actuator so it can reach all the way inside. Here we use a 9" long hex key (supplier link), which is 5/32" hex size to be compatible with the vented screw we listed above.

*** Hardware components for connecting to air source (alternative options discussed here)

Equipment

Vacuum chamber Benchtop vise Mass scale
Lab oven Centrifugal mixer Mixing cups
SRT_FR Mold STL Files.zip2.01 MB
SRT_FR Mold SolidWorks Files.zip17.95 MB
SRT_FR Laser Cutter DXF Files for Washers.zip6 KB
Fiber Reinforced Actuators Detailed BOM.xlsx14 KB