SMA changes its length when electric current is applied. This video explains how to make a SMA muscle.
Video
Preparation: 0 min
Process time: 30 min
Materials
- SMA (Bio Metal Helix)
- Wire
- Heat shrinkable sleeve
- Pins
Tools and Equipments
- Crimp terminal
- Tape measure
- Nipper
- Pliers
- Tweezers
- Soldering iron
Directions
Cutting
Cut the two pieces of wire in the length of 50cm. Also cut the SMA in the length of 2cm.
Separate the SMA
The SMA is usually wrapped around a cable. Gently separate the SMA form the cable.
Tie
Tie the wire to the SMA.
Tighten
Pass the crimp terminal over the tied wire and press it strongly with pliers
Tie the other side
Repeat the same process.
Both sides are done
The SMA cable is connected to the wires.
Connect the pins
In order to make it easier to handle, we will connect pins. Tie the wire to a pin.
Soldering
Solder them together.
Coat
Cover it with a heat shrinkable sleeve.
Done
Connect another pin to the other end of the SMA’s wire.
Check
Briefly connect power. The SMA will shrink when electricity is applied.
Other recipes
- Application : Caterpillar Robot
- more recipes using SMA : Origami Robot (coming soon!)
More Informations
- Instructor in video : Takuya Umedachi
- Research work : Caterpilike (Kawahara Lab, The University of Tokyo)