Mini McKibben Pneumatic Artificial Muscle

Classic artificial muscle invented in the 1950s.

Video

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Materials

• Expandable braided cable sleeving (adaptive size from 6mm – 1/4″ to 13mm – 1/2″)
  MacMaster-Carr, Expandable Polyester Sleeving, 9284K2
• Soft Latex rubber tubing (outer diameter: 6mm – 1/4″, inner diameter: 4mm – 5/32″)
  McMaster-Carr, Super-Soft Latex Rubber Semi-Clear Tubing, 5234K962
• Barbed tube fittings
  • a reducer connector (for 1/8″ – 1/16″ tube inner diameter)
    McMaster-Carr, Barbed Tube Fitting, 5121K221
  • a plug (for 1/8″ tube inner diameter)
    McMaster-Carr, Barbed Tube Fitting, 5463K75
• Cable ties (zip ties) (width: 2.5mm)

Tools and Equipments

• Air tube (outer diameter: 3.2mm – 1/8″, inner diameter: 2mm – 5/64″)
  SMC, Polyurethane Tubing, TIUB01
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Syringe
• Cable tie gun (optional)

Directions

Prepare tube and sleeving

Cut the rubber tube in the desired length, for example 80mm. Cut the braided sleeve in the same length as the rubber tube.

Insert plug

Insert the barbed plug into the end of rubber tube.

Bundle

Insert the rubber tube into the braided sleeve. Tie up the end of the tube and sleeve together with a cable tie over the barbed plug. Tighten the cable tie to prevent air from leaking. Cut off the excess strap of the cable tie.

Insert connector

Insert the barbed connector into the other end of the rubber tube.

Finishing

Tie up the end of tube and sleeve together with a cable tie over the barbed connector. Tighten the tie to prevent the tubes from slipping off. Cut off the excess strap of the cable tie.

Test

Connect the air tube and syringe to inflate the rubber tube and contract the artificial muscle.

Bon Appétit! (but don’t eat)

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