Course Kit Visual Guide¶
The following images may help you identify unfamiliar parts in the course kit. This is not a complete guide to the kit, as many parts are either well-labeled or likely clear from context. Please refer to the Kit Inventory for a more complete listing.
Contents
Electronics¶
The Adafruit Circuit Playground Bluefruit is a microcontroller board we will program using CircuitPython. It features alligator-clip friendly input/output pins for integration with conductive thread, Bluetooth communication to support wireless laptop data transfer, numerous sensors, and 10 RGB leds. For more details, please see Adafruit Circuit Playground Bluefruit.
These small mini-grabber to mini-grabber cables can be used to connect signals to the Bluefruit pads without soldering.
This 3 x AAA battery holder can supply logic power to the Bluefruit microcontroller during wireless operation wireless operation. Batteries not included. The wires are terminated with a JST connector.
This 4 x AA battery holder can supply actuator power to projects during wireless operation. Batteries not included. The wires are terminated with breadboard-compatible pins.
This 5V 3A power supply can supply actuator power during wired operation. It uses the barrel jack socket to couple to a breadboard.
This breadboard-compatible barrel jack adapter can connect the 5V actuator supply to a breadboard.
The medium solderless breadboard (400 pts) can be used to build small auxiliary circuits and distribute 5V actuator power.
The small solderless breadboards (170 pts) can be used to hold individual sensors or tiny auxiliary circuits.
These LKY62 hobby servos can actuate the syringe pumps or tendon drives.
These tiny pancake vibration motors can transmit a tactile signal directly to the body. The coil resistance is 50 Ohms.
Pneumatics¶
These 20 mL syringes are used as pneumatic pumps, either manually controlled or servo-actuated. The tip has a Luer lock which features a removable twist-lock.
This Luer-lock connector twists onto the syringe tip to connect to tubing with 3/16 inch inner diameter. Not shown is the barb end.
Soft PVC plastic tubing with 3/16 inch inner diameter, 5/16 inch outer diameter. This presses over the barbed fittings to connect the syringe pumps to pneumatic actuators.
Barbed fitting for 3/16 inch ID tubing to connect to pneumatic actuators. The opposite end has 1/4-28 threads and is intended to be inserted into heat-sealed pneumatic pouch actuator prior to final sealing.
Plastic 1/4-28 nut to match the barbed fitting. These must be assembled onto the fitting prior to final heat-sealing, else they are unreachable.
Flexible LDPE film, semi-clear white, 0.004 inch thick, suitable for heat-sealing.
Blood pressure cuff bulb for hand-pumping air. Unlike the syringes, these can pump an unlimited volume of air.
Textile Tools¶
Sewing Machine Needles - Size 12 - Regular Point. For use with most consumer-level sewing machines (not for industrial machines. Size 12 is an average size needle that can be used with middle weight fabrics such as muslin. “Regular Point” needles have a sharp tip and are used for woven materials. (“Ball Point” needles have a slightly more rounded tip and are used for knit materials.)
Assorted hand sewing needles and needle threader. This assortment pack comes with 25 steel hand-sewing needles and 1 needle threader in a compact storage case. Includes Betweens, Sharps, Straw/Milliners, Chenille, Tapestry and Crewel. Use the back of the compact to identify the needle size and style. Click here for the Dritz Needle Tutorial (PDF) about different kinds of hand sewing needs.
For cutting fabric and paper by hand. Often people will have one pair of scissors dedicated for fabric and another pair of scissors for all other items.
A seam ripper is used to cut and remove unwanted stitches; such as when one has made a sewing mistake and needs to be removed. Lift threads with the point and cut threads with the blade. Point can also be used to remove threads. Seam ripper measures 2-1/2”.
Grabbit steel sewing pins are easy to grasp and push into fabric. They feature a smooth finish and work great with pin and wrist cushions. 80 per package.
Soft Sensors¶
Velostat is a very low cost, extra-wide conductive sheet for electric field shielding. Carbon impregnated black polyethylene film. 4 mil thick. Volume resistivity is <500 Ohms/cm (which makes this an excellent conductor for a plastic). Conductivity is not affected by humidity or aging. Ground cords can be attached with a simple alligator clip. Can be heat sealed.
Pure Copper Polyester Taffeta Fabric. This copper and polyester blend fabric is lightweight, flexible, and tarnish-resistant because of its finish. Easy to cut and sew like ordinary fabric. For fabric, it has high conductivity and shielding performance.
Stainless steel, 2-ply conductive thread. This conductive thread is thin, strong, smooth, and made completely of 316L stainless steel. It is 2-ply, a little thicker than everyday polyester or cotton thread but still thin enough to be sewn by hand in medium-eye needles or with a sewing machine that can handle ‘heavy’ thread. It also has fairly low resistivity, 16 ohms per foot so it can be used with electronic components that use under ~50mA.
This thread feels a little ‘stiff’ (resembling ‘waxed thread’). Using nail polish can help stabilize and secure the knots from unraveling.
Textile Materials¶
Sew-On Hook & Loop Fasteners Set - 1 Yd. X 5/8”. Use sew on hook and loop fastener sets (hook and loop) are a quick attachment and release item most often sewn into fabric items. Also called velcro.
Cotton Piping Drapery Cord - 3/8”/Size 4 - White. Cotton piping drapery cord is used for both light and heavy-weight fabrics. Also used in seams of seats or cushions (as piping) to strengthen and improve durability.
Braided Elastic - 1/4” - White. Braided elastic is shrink-resistant and features a horizontal pull that stretches lengthwise. It narrows when stretched. It is not recommended that you cut braided elastic horizontally. Braided elastic is both washable and dry cleanable. A light-weight elastic that can be used with or encased by all types of fabrics.
Gutermann Mara 100 is an all-purpose sewing thread for high-quality holding and closing seams.
100% polyester
General purpose thread for medium-weight fabrics
Recommended needle size 10-14
Tex 30 (refers to size of thread
The fabric grab bags include small to medium pieces of random fur, lace, spandex, printed or solid woven fabric, sequined fabric, and other materials.
These googly eyes are self-adhesive with a peel-off backing. The eyes can be stuck on most items. Your set of googly eyes are given at random and may include these sizes: 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm.
Muslin fabric. Unbleached, mid-weight woven fabric. Muslin fabric is considered the best fabric for mocking up most sewn projects.
100% Cotton
3.2 oz per square yard, 60” wide
Thread count is 68 threads per inch x 68 threads per inch
When washed, this fabric shrinks about 4% in Length and 1% in Width
Machine wash in any temperature water