8. Soft robotics¶

Research¶

As someone allergic to latex, family parties require the use of alternatives like mylar balloons. This inspired me to design and create a reusable, inflatable balloon made from vinyl. The idea was to craft a durable, eco-friendly alternative that could be inflated and deflated as needed.

Workflow¶

Initial Attempt¶

For the first trial, I used leftover vinyl and attempted to seal the edges with an iron. Unfortunately, this method failed because the surface wasn’t smooth enough, leading to creases and leaks. This trial taught me the importance of precision and even pressure during assembly.

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Step 1: Designing and Assembling the Balloon¶

I opted for a hexagon shape for the balloon and cut the vinyl accordingly. To improve the sealing process, I placed baking paper inside the vinyl shapes, leaving about a 1 cm margin around the edges. This ensured that the baking paper protected the vinyl from overheating while allowing for clean, sealed edges.

For sealing, I used a vinyl press, which provided consistent pressure and heat. This approach worked far better than the iron, as it eliminated creases and created a strong, airtight seal.

Step 2: Inflation and Deflation¶

To make the balloon functional, I added a straw, allowing it to be easily inflated and deflated. The straw acted as both the air inlet and outlet, making the balloon reusable and simple to store. ...

Shoulderpads¶

Inside Design¶

The pattern for the shoulder pads was created freestyle, including the "lift" area on the interior. This design directs the air to specific zones, allowing for controlled inflation and shaping.

Process¶

Pattern Creation¶

I drew the shoulder pad pattern by hand, focusing on creating zones that would lift and shape when inflated. The "lift" area was specifically designed to enhance features like muscles or shoulders.

Pattern Tracing and Cutting¶

After cutting out the base shape, I traced the air/lift pathways onto the inside layer of vinyl to guide the inflation process effectively.

Heat Pressing¶

Using the same method as in previous projects, I heat-pressed the vinyl layers together to seal the edges, ensuring the structure could hold air without leaking.

Inflation¶

Once assembled, the shoulder pads were filled with air to test their functionality and confirm the design effectively enhanced the intended features.

Uses¶

These inflatable shoulder pads are ideal for cosplay costumes, where a pump system can be integrated to exaggerate features such as muscles, shoulders, or even the chest. The vinyl material is highly versatile, as it can be easily molded to fit the body’s contours and sewn seamlessly into costumes. Small tubing can be discreetly hidden within the design, allowing for an unobtrusive yet dynamic inflation system. This technique adds a dramatic, customizable element to costumes, enhancing their visual impact and versatility.

Reflection¶

This project successfully combined practicality with sustainability, resulting in a reusable vinyl balloon that addresses the limitations of traditional latex and mylar balloons. The lessons learned from the failed trial helped refine the workflow, emphasizing the importance of using the right tools and materials for precise assembly. This design offers a versatile and eco-conscious solution for celebrations, with the potential to explore more creative shapes and sizes in future iterations.

Let me know if you'd like further details or suggestions for enhancements!