WEEK 9
Wearables

Build your own soft actuators , Integrate them in a working project, Document what you did, Include all source files, Create an interactive object; if experienced with coding, focus on fully integrating a microncontoller into a textile circuit

Class 9
  • SoftwareSublime, Adobe Ilustrator
  • Machines
  • MaterialsCooper, Textile, Magnets, amplifier, batteries
  • Download files -
Flip dots Thermochromic

How to make soft actuators

Actuator 1
Materials

The materials used to make the soft speaker have been felt cloth, in a frame, 1mm copper thread, and sewing thread, for the analog part.

Cooper

The copper I use is quite thick, since my intention was that the amplification was stronger, but the sound has not improved because of the thickness of the copper. If not the opposite.

Electronics

Once the copper has been sewn to the frame, the elements to connect the soft speaker are a magnet, a battery and an amplifier.

Amplifier + potenciometer

These are the characteristics of the amplifier that I have used, which comes together with a potentiometer and a switch, in order to control the volume of the speake.

Board + regulator

Board documentation

I have reused the board that designs this plate for the Fab academy, where I added a regulator to be able to put a 9v battery, and have more power since the amplifier only supports 5v. In this diagram you can see the input and output inputs of the board.

Schematic

As seen in the diagram, the upper speaker wire is connected to one output and the back to the other output, the batteries are connected to the top, and the input is connected to the phone via a cable with mini jack output.

Results