{"id":2023,"date":"2025-04-05T22:03:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T02:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/?p=2023"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:27:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T23:27:18","slug":"soft-robots-hard-ideas-injection-molding-potential-at-a-liberal-arts-college","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/projects\/soft-robots-hard-ideas-injection-molding-potential-at-a-liberal-arts-college\/","title":{"rendered":"Soft Robots, Hard Ideas: Injection Molding Potential at a Liberal Arts College"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"An<\/a>

An example of a silicone injection molding product, showcasing the material’s flexibility.<\/p><\/div>\n

You might think that silicone injection molding sounds like something reserved for manufacturing plants. Yet, here at the Williams College Makerspace, we can find ways to bring this exciting technology to life using everyday construction tools and 3D printing. This isn\u2019t just engineering\u2014it\u2019s a creative exploration, turning seemingly ordinary objects like caulking guns into tools for building soft robots. At its core, a silicone injection molding project attempts to push the boundaries of what can be done in a liberal arts setting. It sees engineering as a form of art, a craft, and a discipline that invites exploration. As we work towards a silicone injection molding setup, we\u2019re also building a community of thinkers and creators who can look at a caulking gun and see a tool for designing robots. With support, we\u2019ll be able to take projects like these further, offering more students the chance to bridge art and science in new and unexpected ways.<\/span><\/p>\n

By bringing injection molding to the Makerspace, we\u2019re making a bold statement: at a liberal arts college, the sky\u2019s the limit. Whether you\u2019re a computer science major, a robotics enthusiast, or just someone curious about hands-on creation, this is a project where technology meets artistry<\/span> and creativity knows no bounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Construction Tools in a Liberal Arts College?<\/h2>\n

At first glance, using caulking guns, mixing nozzles, and blowout adapters might seem unusual at a college better known for Shakespeare than silicone molds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jack<\/a>

Jack Scissor Stand platform used under the mold to align it perfectly with the nozzle; prevents leaks or uneven filling.<\/p><\/div>\n

Yet, in our Makerspace, we\u2019ve discovered ways to effectively combine conventional tools (i.e., wrenches, bolts), digital tools (e.g., 3D modeling and printing software), and small machines (3D scanners and printers) to explore hands-on solutions to academic problems. We are able to use these accessible tools to achieve effective results without needing expensive, industrial-scale equipment. These tools can be potent gateways into multidisciplinary learning. By blending traditional tools with advanced (or emerging) digital technologies, we encourage students from diverse academic backgrounds\u2014ranging from studio art, history, and philosophy, to computer science\u2014to collaborate, share perspectives, and approach problem-solving creatively. More than just crafting parts, we\u2019re cultivating a vibrant, interdisciplinary community at Williams.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A caulking gun. This is the primary tool used to push the silicone through the cartridges and into the mold. It provides the necessary pressure for injection.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"2-part<\/a>

2-part Silicone Cartridges. These hold the silicone material (typically a 1:1 ratio of two parts that mix and cure into a flexible silicone).<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Static<\/a>

Static Mixing Nozzles. These ensure that the two parts of the silicone mix properly before being injected into the mold.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/a>

A blowout adapter. This tool helps clean the cartridges so that they can be reused, reducing waste and ensuring a cleaner process.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Robots with a Gentle Touch<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>

A soft robot arm picks up a piece of celery. Credit: Soft Robotics, a Cambridge-based robotics company.<\/p><\/div>\n

Imagine crafting <\/span>robots capable of gently handling fragile objects<\/span><\/a>\u2014robots that sense touch, pressure, and temperature, just like living organisms. Silicone injection molding is a fantastic way to create complex, flexible parts with incredible precision. Using a 2-part silicone system and a caulking gun, we\u2019re designing a setup where liquid silicone is injected into a mold and cured, resulting in strong and flexible parts. By experimenting with this technology, we learn the practicalities of fabrication and expand what\u2019s possible in soft robotics research on campus. Each part we make brings us closer to designing robots that can perform tasks with a gentle touch and responsiveness that other kinds of (rigid) robotics can\u2019t achieve. At the core, the process is surprisingly simple yet fascinating. Imagine squeezing liquid silicone into an optimally crafted mold, where it settles and cures, creating detail with precision. It\u2019s like utilizing a high-tech caulking gun, but with a twist\u2014turning liquid into a finely molded solid form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our silicone injection molding project opens up some interesting real-world applications. For example, soft robotics has applications in healthcare by aiding minimally invasive surgical procedures and using silicone-molded tools to handle tissues carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

These aren\u2019t just fascinating theoretical ideas; they\u2019re practical innovations being explored at Williams, especially within our Computer Science Department under Professor Jim Bern. Specifically, it is intended for use in classes like <\/span>CSCI 345 \u2013 Robotics and Digital Fabrication<\/span><\/a>, aligning closely with Professor Bern\u2019s research interests in soft robotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Harvard<\/a>

Harvard researchers equipped soft robotic grippers with embedded sensors that can sense diverse inputs such as movement, pressure, touch, and temperature. Credit: Ryan L. Truby\/Harvard University<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Researchers<\/a>

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a soft robotic hand with a touch delicate enough to sort tomatoes and find the ripest one. Credit: Huichan Zhao\/Organic Robotics Lab, Cornell University<\/p><\/div>\n

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Optimization: Making The Most of Things<\/h2>\n

One of the biggest lessons was in optimization when conducting equipment research. When you\u2019re given a budget and a task, you need to be efficient with your use of money and essentially get the most bang for your buck. In concrete terms, if you find two sets of static mixing nozzles\u2014one that costs $45 and another that delivers the same results that goes for $15\u2014you\u2019d <\/span>optimally <\/span><\/i>pick the latter. Researching various construction tools to create a concept model of our DIY silicone injection molding device reinforced to me how impactful thorough pre-production research and budgeting can be. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>

An example of a DIY Silicone Injection Molding device.<\/p><\/div>\n

Reflection<\/h2>\n

Working on technological projects has transformed my educational journey. The Makerspace isn\u2019t just a workshop. Here, I\u2019ve learned that exploration, trial and error, and collaboration are as crucial as technical proficiency. By engaging with staff, faculty, and peers, my understanding of the larger world of technological innovation has deepened significantly, showing me just how powerful hands-on learning at a liberal arts institution can be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Special thanks to Divya Sijwali (\u201928) and David Keiser-Clark, Makerspace Program Manager, for supporting this blog post!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You might think that silicone injection molding sounds like something reserved for manufacturing plants. Yet, here at the Williams College Makerspace, we can find ways to bring this exciting technology to life using everyday construction tools and 3D printing. This … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3104,"featured_media":2032,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[60,69,75],"class_list":["post-2023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-projects","tag-injection-molding","tag-makerspace","tag-robotics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2023","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3104"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2023"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2023\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2911,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2023\/revisions\/2911"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2023"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}