12.15
I worked on a prototype recently that is going to be part of a wearable device. The project used an Arduino Mini Pro. This is a great device, very compact and operated at the required 3.3V target voltage. We needed a platform for attaching the electronic circuitry that would be flexible and heat resistant so I bought some ironing board fabric. I poked some wires through the fabric to see how well it would survive the heat from a soldering iron and it did great. I bought a needlepoint hoop to stretch out the fabric that helped keep everything in place while assembling this device. Once assembled the fabric will be cut to size and sewn into clothing.
Arduino mini pro attached to fabric in a wearable electronics project.
Looking for Flexible Circuit Alternatives
A promising DIY approach looks like silkscreen using a Diazo photo emulsion to create the screened image. The next challenge is finding a conductive ink compatible with the silkscreen process while remaining flexible. A trip to the art store didn’t provide any off the shelf solutions. Actually there are several challenges with this process. Affordability of ink, keeping the ink pliable after curing, maintaining a high level of conductivity, and attaching electronic components without solder.
My next step is to experiment mixing my own paints. Figure 2 shows some screen printing paint for shirts I bought. I’ve tried some initial tests using powdered conductive materials, graphite, aluminum, and copper.
Homebrew experiment using metalic powder and silkscreen tee shirt paint.
For more details check: Desktop Fabrication: Wearable Electronics Circuitry