Commercialization of Rate-Activated Tethers
Design for Manufacturing
Rate Activated Tethers (RATs) were developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Changes were made to the original design to improve reliability of fabrication outside of the lab setting, by a freshly trained workforce.
Extensional Limit
Over extension of the elastomeric tube was a common mode of failure of RATs. A series of extensional limits were tested before discovering the finger-trap effect of a braided sleeve. After sourcing an early 1900s maypole braiding machine on Craigslist, modifications were made for over-braiding RATs.
Experimental Hardware
Production quality over-molded hardware produced with mold making, 3D printing (FDM, SLA), 2-part epoxy casting, and injection molding.
Applied Design
To actualize innovations, they first must be visualized. Concept sketching has always been a critical part of my process.
more to come