THE HOME-BUILD AIR-MUSCLE


Few years ago I've tried to construct my own lego pneumatics cylinder with plastic tubes but it takes a way  I wasn't expecting for.

Surfing all days long on the net I was searching information about pneumatics and robotic when I discovered the " McKibben's Air-muscle "

I was surprised by the air-muscle simplicity , 2 days after I' ve build my first prototype.



To see air-muscle application you could take a look at this site:
http://www.shadow.org.uk/index.shtml


Air muscle act as lego pneumatic with little air pressure. It results that air-muscle is more powerful than lego pneumatic cylinder.


What you need to make your own one:

Only cheap parts are needed to built air muscle, 

1-a balloon (the same children blows up for their birthday). Search long ones in "everything for feast "shop - 10 for 1 US$

2-heat -retractable sheath (electric shop)- 1meter for 2 US$

3-Aquarium tube or similar - 1 meter for 0.5 US$

4-Plastic collar  - (electric shop) 20 for 1US$

5- a 4 mm diameter LEGO tube (same in R.I.S box) or similar

6-braided sheath , I don't know exactly its price but you should find it in electric, audio or computer shop.

7-modeling plastic is very helpful to built LEGO compatible piece.


WORK :

1 : First cut the balloon  to size you need and adjust it on the aquarium tube, add glue.

2 : place the heat-retractable sheath on the tube/balloon connection and heat it. 

3 : Then you can place the braided sheath and 2 collars.

4 : It's time to use the modeling plastic.
     Use LEGO bricks to built a mussel. Finalise the piece with knife.

5 : on other side you could make a loop with braided sheath, place 2 collars.
     Add the 4mm LEGO tube that will perfectly fit the aquarium tube and the pneumatic LEGO tube.


Don' t expect to built a perfect air-muscle at first time. Test different possibilities.
   
 chrismaker@noos.fr