AMW Pneumatic Manifold

2022 - For Amorphic Robot Works

Final manifold assembly with connectors Manifold with Festo VEMP piezo valves mounted

Chico from AMW requested a lightweight pneumatic manifold for a soft robotic sculpture that would mount control circuitry. I proposed using SLA resin for its non-porous properties and ability to produce print-in-place 10-32 threads with required precision.

Design Process

Piezo valve VEMP sub-base specification diagram CAD exploration of long manifold form Six-unit ring configuration in CAD

The manifold's air pathways were engineered using specifications from a 240V Piezo valve manufacturer. I built critical features modularly to enable future iterations. As the project progressed, the team moved from an initial single-unit design to a configuration with valves clustered in sets of four, each controlling distinct sculpture quadrants.

Iterations and Challenges

Single 3D printed manifold test piece Comparison of cracked and intact manifold prints

Early versions (v1 through v5) showed progression toward thicker designs after cracking issues appeared. The overlapping tabs and threaded barb inserts proved problematic initially.

A significant challenge emerged during production: the threads wouldn't seal completely - essential for pneumatic functionality. Multiple approaches, including third-party manufacturing, failed to achieve 100% sealing. The breakthrough came when reverting to a four-valve configuration and reprinting resolved the sealing problem.

Assembled manifold held next to soft robotic sculpture Manifolds installed on soft robotic sculpture