The document discusses making soft sensors and provides guidance on materials, tools, tips, examples of soft sensors that can be made, and additional resources. It recommends conductive thread, fabrics, and metal supplies for creating circuits. Tips include testing materials first, drawing circuits beforehand, ensuring good contact, and making designs modular and washable. Examples of soft sensors include on-off switches, pressure sensors, and stretch sensors. Resources listed include guides on electrotextiles and connecting hardware to soft materials.

1. making soft sensors

2. :: working with uninsulated materials :: thinking in 3D :: connecting hardware and softwear 3 challenges on soft circuits making soft sensors

3. :: conductive thread (4 ply is good!) :: conductive fabrics (iron-on, taffeta, stretch/lycra, velostat) :: metal sewing supplies (eg. snaps, hooks, zippers, etc.) :: SMT battery holders :: assorted electronics (LEDs, pager motors, micro servos, etc.) :: optional: resistive thread, conductive yarn, magnets, wire glue materials making soft sensors

4. :: needle nose pliers :: soldering iron :: clothes iron :: needles with large eyes & needle threader :: tweezers :: multimeter tools making soft sensors

5. :: always test your materials first (eg. some electrotextiles are only conductive on one side) :: draw your circuit on the fabric before you start making it :: ensure good contact between the thread and the hardware or fabric you're sewing to; finish the knots with wire glue so they don't come undone later :: make sure your thread is long enough (patching is difficult); use conductive thread only for electrical connections :: try to make your circuit modular and washable (make sure non-washable components can be easily removed) :: conductive fabric is a better conductor than conductive thread :: remember that fabric tends to give and that silver and copper oxidize :( tips making soft sensors

6. sugru :: on-off switch :: pressure sensor :: bend switch :: 'voodoo' sensor :: stretch sensor :: variable resistance sensor :: stroke sensor :: many, many more examples at www.kobakant.at/DIY sensors that can be made with electrotextiles making soft sensors

7. :: overview of electrotextiles @ openMaterials :: connecting hardware and softwear @ openMaterials :: soft sensors @ How to Get What You Want additional resources making soft sensors

8. :: conductive thread*: SparkFun :: conductive fabrics: LessEMF , Inventables , SparkFun :: wire glue: ThinkGeek * note that the conductive thread offered by LessEMF And Inventables is actually resistive thread materials suppliers in the US making soft sensors

9. bye bye www.openmaterials.org [email_address] making soft sensors