Mechanical Tentacle by Misguided

Hey! This thing is still a Work in Progress. Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!

Mechanical Tentacle

Misguided

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Published on July 25, 2011

This thing was Featured on July 25, 2011

Description

I'm trying to make a mind controlled tentacle and this is where I'm at so far.

Right now, the ball and socket joints are a little too loose, and the movement isn't very good (partly due to the weight of the parts).

Also the sockets are a little stiff and fragile when printed with PLA

Once all that is sorted, I'll hook it up to some servos and the obligatory Arduino.

Video of it "working": youtu.be/EVMatHNgC6s

Instructions

Print one end and as many segments as you want. Break off the supports on the segments. String some cord through the holes. You need a minimum of 3.

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cyborg527 on August 1, 2011 said:

I can only imagine having 4 of these controlled by an arduino or something, maybe even having it submersible or something and letting it walk underwater. 8-) Fuck yeah.

Linkreincarnate on July 27, 2011 said:

Instead of the ball and socket you should use just have a hole. Then you can use tubing in the middle and run a string through the tube to control opening and closing a claw or gripper.

Misguided on July 27, 2011 said:

Yeah, the ball joint hasn't been working that well for me. But I didn't have anything handy for the centre.

For the next iteration, I was thinking maybe something like a fibreglass rod (something that'll bend and but have some "spring" to aid the motion when it "relaxes") and then maybe some pieces of flexible hose as spacers.

Haven't thought about claws or gripper. Figured that if I can't control it w
ell enough, a gripper at the end would be moot.

Linkreincarnate on July 26, 2011 said:

What brain control interface are you using with this? I have a Neurosky mindset already and I'd love to recreate this...

Misguided on July 26, 2011 said:

Yup, I was thinking of a Neurosky, but problem with buying one is that it was US$99 if you're within the States, but if you're not, it's 99 euros. Which I think is a rip.

However, I think there's enough documentation around with the Neurosky that if I used it, it'd be pretty easy to get it going.

Otherwise there's OpenEEG.

graphmastur on July 26, 2011 said:

What infill did you print those at?

Misguided on July 26, 2011 said:

30% lined infill.

dietz1 on July 26, 2011 said:

just as long as it's a head-mounted mind controlled tentacle I am totally OK with this. :-$

techknight on July 26, 2011 said:

Oh my god. I am all over this.

MarcusWolschon on July 25, 2011 said:

Keep it as lightweight as possible.

The required forces to move it get extremely high very fast.

Misguided on July 26, 2011 said:

Yeah this one is way too heavy. I need to rethink the segments. It was form over function at the time (was designing it to be more of a prop than a properly functioning mechanical piece).

And I don't think the ball joints are helping either...

relet on July 25, 2011 said:

Actually, the way Nature handles it is by placing muscles all along its length, thus avoiding the leverage.

Cogworkz on July 25, 2011 said:

Dr. Octopus would approve. :)

Austin on July 25, 2011 said:

Creepy!

charlespax on July 25, 2011 said:

Totally awesome!

Anonymous on July 25, 2011 said:

There is a similar concept by Festo that mimics an elephant's trunk. Their scheme groups several of the segments together for control. Adding more control lines to your design will give it finer control, and grater strength.

Misguided on July 26, 2011 said:

I initially had the thought to put in 2 control lines per channel, but i lacked the space.

Looking at the Feisto video, it makes me realise that I don't actually have to have a solid centre. Also, I just found out that their tentacle is 3D printed as well.