Vacuum Fiber Molding (VFM) Machine
Introduction: Vacuum Fiber Molding (VFM) Machine
This instructables guides you through the steps of making a Vacuum Fiber Drawing (VFM) machine, a tool to designed for chemists/soft-roboticists/academics to rapidly design and iterate LCE actuators.
Supplies
Tools needed:
-Laser cutter
-3D printer
-Screwdriver
-Glass drill
-superglue
-hot glue
-wirestrippers
Parts needed:
-5mm perspex
-Glass pane +/- 10x15cm (max 2 mm thick)
-Fan guard +/- 9x9cm
-XH-W1209 thermostat
-Female DC Jack
-12V 3 amp powersupply
-Regular 3D printer heater block with M6 thread
-6mm heater cartridge
-1/2" xM24 air valve
-1/2" coupling
-1/2" hose connector
-Linear bearing SCS8UU
-8mm by 235mm metal rod
-8mm rail support
-Spring 10x15mm (4x)
-Tensionspring 5x15mm
-Neodymium magnet 10x2mm (5x)
-Heat sink +/- 1x1cm
-Breadboard +/- 10x30x2mm
-felt
-zipties
-Nylon Bolt M3x8 (4)
-Bolt M3x20 (28x)
-Bolt M3x60 (6x)
-Bolt M3x25 (4x)
-Bolt M3x8 (4x)
-Spacer M3x20 (4x)
-M3 nut (44x)
-M3x10 Nylon spacer (2)
-M3x20 metal spacer (4x)
-Bolt M5x20 (4x)
-M5 nut (4x)
-Coach bolt M6x60 (4x)
-Bolt M6x12
-M6 nut (4x)
-Silicone
Step 1: Laser Cut Perspex Parts
Lasercut the 3 DXF files out of 5 mm perspex (or any other 5mm thick material of choice).
Step 2: Connect Frame Plates
Use 15 M3x20 bolts and nuts to secure the two perspex base plates together (see pictures for reference of placement). Then glue a stack of 2 magnets in the two holes on top of the frame as shown in the last two pictures.
Step 3: Glue Thermostat Box
Use superglue to glue the parts of the thermostat box together as indicated on the schematic.
Step 4: Glue Thermostat Box in Base Frame
Use superglue to to attach the thermostat box in the base frame at an angle, make sure before glueing in place that the cover of the thermostat box can be easily put in place and removed.
Step 5: Glue Heating Element Cover
Glue the parts of the heating element cover as indicated on the schematic.
Step 6: Assemble Heating Element
First drill a 6mm hole in the centre of the heat sink. Then, cut a piece of breadboard to about 30 by 16 mm. in the bottom of the breadboard two 3 mm holes need to be drilled, use the holes in the heating element cover as a guide to drill the holes. Then drill another 6 mm hole on the top of the breadboard. 582
Now use the nylon spacers and bolts to assemble the heating element, heat sink and breadboard to the perspex cover. Optionally another heatsink can be placed on top of the breadboard.
Step 7: Assemble Slider
Glue the parts of the slider in place, then screw the SCS8UU in place using four M3x25 bolts and nuts. Glue a magnet to the bottom of the slider, also cut and glue four pieces of felt to the legs of the slider.
Step 8: Connect Heating Element to Slider
Connect the heating element to the slider using the 4 plexiglas arms and M3x60 and M3x20 nuts and bolts as seen on the images.
Step 9: Assemble Rail Support
Slide the 8mm rod through the linear bearing and screw the rail support in place at the ends of the rod. Then attach the rail support to the corners of the plexiglass frame using 4 M5 nuts and bolts
Step 10: Wire Thermostat
Solder the DC Female jack to the contacts on the bottom side of the thermostat. Then bridge the K1 and 12v by soldering a wire between the terminals on the bottom of the thermostat. 56