Sensitive Fingertips

Step 7 Eeonyx sensor fabric

Eeonyx sensor fabric
To make the sensors you'll need to cut ovals of the Eeonyx RL-5-129 SL-PA coated piezoresistive stretch fabric. The ovals should be big enough to cover the fingertips, the same size as the tip of the finger stencil.

Comments

[Gundanium]

Hi Plusea,

I just want to say I'm a big fan of your work and your Instructables have helped me get a start in integrating soft circuits into my projects.

I was wondering if you could explain how you attached the Eeonyx fabric to the finger tips to complete the sensors. Here's a few questions in particular...

Is that conductive thread in the picture?

Did you use fusible interfacing to make the conductive fabric strips underneath adhere to the Eeonyx fabric?

Thanks and keep up the great work!
Gundanium

[Plusea]

i didn't use conductive thread to sew on the patch of eeontex, just regular thread.
i did use fusible interfacing to adhere the conductive fabric strips!

:-)

[Gundanium]

So the conductive fabric and Eeonyx patches aren't connected to each other and are just sitting on top of one another?

[Plusea]

exactly. you don't want a direct electrical connection between the two conductive fabric strips, instead you want the eeontex to bridge the gap and then because of its piezo-resistive properties (decrease in resistance when pressured) it will act like pressure sensor (FSR).

[Gundanium]

Ah ok. Thanks! Was there a reason why you didn't attach the Eeonyx patch in a way such that it had a secure connection to the conductive fabric strips (still acting as a bridge)?

Can't the Eeonyx patch deform (while the finger isn't pressing on something) and detach from one or both of the conductive fabric traces causing an open circuit?

[Plusea]

the eeontex was very sensitive, even to stretch, so i wanted it to be as loose as possible. but i always recommend trying things and testing them for yourself as it very much depends on implementation and what you want.

[Gundanium]

That makes sense. Thanks for the help!