Circuit Building:
Smile and I built the circuit according to the instructions.
Seal the layers of TPU and baking paper
Code:
int motorPump = 9;
int valve = 10;
int motorSuck = 11;
void setup() {
// put your setup code here, to run once:
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(motorPump, OUTPUT);
pinMode(valve, OUTPUT);
pinMode(motorSuck, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
// inflate
digitalWrite(motorPump,HIGH);
digitalWrite(valve, HIGH);
digitalWrite(motorSuck, LOW);
delay(1000);
// deflate
digitalWrite(motorPump, LOW);
digitalWrite(valve, LOW);
digitalWrite(motorSuck, HIGH);
delay(1000);
}
THE RESEARCH: INFLATABLES
We first draw the inside of the inflatables using Rhino.
We made the 3 replications of the examples. For the one we create on our own, we draw inspiration from the folding ring in the reading Heat-sealing Inflatable Shape-change Materials for Interaction Design.
We were curious about how polygonal popping and self-folding transformation can be achieved. So we designed a heptagon, and it turned out to be the inflatable with the best effect.
Unlike traditional motor-driven systems, inflatables rely merely on air pressure for propulsion, resulting in a more organic and fluid motion. Mechanisms built with motors tend to be louder and less flexible. What is interesting is the inflatables’ softness and flexibility. Unlike rigid structures, inflatables can deform and adapt to their surroundings, which is perfect for mimicking animal or plant movement. Moreover, they are lightweight and therefore portable. By applying pneumatic mechanisms, I can create more efficient and responsive systems that blur the line between man-made and natural movements.
In Project 1, the method we used to represent people’s reactions was through the color change of the neopixels. But the inflatables provide me with another approach. When someone gets closer, the inflatable’s size can change or it can self-fold to represent people’s reaction to environmental change. Especially the inflatables made with soft silicon like Soft Pneumatic Pavilion can represent tentacles moving or movement like swimming. The stipes we made could inflate and change shape to cover our body. The degree to which the garment folds can also change according to the environment. Inflatables are also a good way to show how female space was taken by males and show the extension of our skin.
Reference