Project Description

Project Description

Project Objectives

  • Fabricate a hydraulic actuation system using soft components and assembly
  • Use hydraulic or pneumatic actuation to propel fish foward
  • Design and iterate on prototypes using CAD and 3D printing of molds
  • Produce and assemble a silicone fish tail toy 
    • Parts:  a 3D printed fish head, silicone fish body made with 3D printed molds and a 3D printed tail fin

Supplies

Materials

  • Smooth-On Ecoflex 00-20 Super Soft Silicone Rubber 
  • OVERTURE PLA Filament 1.75 mm PLA 3D Printer Filament, 1 kg Cardboard Spool , Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.02mm
  • OVERTURE TPU Filament 1.75 mm Flexible TPU Roll, 95A Soft 3D Printer Filament, Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.02 mm (TPU Black)
  • 2 Gallon Vacuum Chamber, Upgraded Multipurpose Acrylic Vacuum Degassing Chamber, Transparent Vacuum Chamber, for Resin Degassing, Silica Gel Degassing
  • Clear Tubing Assortment, 2 mm 3 mm 4 mm 5 mm ID, Flexible Plastic Tube Hose Set For Home Repair Water Oil Transfer Aquarium, BPA Free and non-toxic
  • 20 mL Syringe Catheter Tip with Covers, Large Plastic Syringes for Jello Shots Syringe Party, Liquid, Oral, Feeding Pet, Food, Dispensing- Individually Sterilized Sealed
  • Cable Zip Ties, Black Assorted Sizes 12+8+6+4 Inch, Multi-Purpose
  • MBC Mat Board Center, 11x14 inch White Foam Boards, 1/8" Thick
  • LUPANTER 180 pcs SAE Stainless Steel Nuts and Bolts Assortment Kit, Including 6 Sizes 1/4-20 Hex Bolts, Flat Washers, Lock Washers. 
  • 3D print PLA filament

Equipment

  • Dewalt Drill Set
  • 3D Printer
  • Vacuum

Software

3D modeling Software (e.g. Solidworks)

 

Phase Timeline

Phase 1

  • Educators will introduce project overview and demonstrate model of silicone fish tail with air chambers 
  • Educators will explain parameter such as sizing, number of air chambers and type of silicone materials affect movement and bending
  • Educators will provide examples of different types of silicone material for student use

Phase 2

  • Students will begin to brainstorm concepts and sketch fish designs integrating actuation chambers
  • Students will begin protyping process with simple rectangular shapes using silicone to gain understanding of parameters

Phase 3

  • Students will convert sketches into digital molds and parts until 3D modeling software (e.g. Solidworks, AutoCAD, etc.) 
  • Students will produce 3 parts: a 3D printed fish head, 3D molds to produce the silicone body and a 3D printed tail fin
  • Students should place all parts into an exploded assembly to be review by instructor before proceeding to manufacturing

Phase 4

  • Studnets will 3D print parts and assemble molds 
  • Students will begin fabrication process with their chosen silicone material
    • Silicone Process:
      • Mixing base polymer and curing agent
      • Pouring into molds
      • Degassing in vacuum chamber
      • Waiting to cure depending on packaging instructions

Phase 5

  • Students will attach air tubes to the body and feed through the head
  • Students will assemble all parts using fasteners and silicone adhesive

Phase 6

  • Students will test prototypes in large water containers using plastic syringes
  • Students will evaulate performance on forward propulsion, degree of which the fish tail bends and how actuation mimics movements of a real fish