Mod The Piso-Pad

omee66 · Basic Member Joined: 31 Jul 2006

As some of you may know, I've successfully made the Piso-Pad.

Link: http://royconejo.host.sk/piso-pad1-en.html

It works great, but I think I want to change the way you have to wear tape on your foot each time. I was thinking, if I was able to implement this sort of 'depression' system, I could make it work without tape.

So basically, if I could have a little square piece of cardboard raised at each arrow, when I step, it would lower. Underneath would have foil so it would close the circuit. But, I need somehow to make the cardboard come back up. Any ideas?

Thanks a lot.

videoCWK! · Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: Mod The Piso-Pad

omee66 · Basic Member Joined: 31 Jul 2006

Okay, thanks. I guess I can use thin pieces of wood. Though, I am still stumped on how I can raise it.

Anyone?

DARREN HAYEZ · Trick Member Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Location: Michigan

Hydraulics? I don't know.

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omee66 · Basic Member Joined: 31 Jul 2006

Gee, thanks. That sure helps.

Why post if you can't really contribute to the topic? Seriously.

ceraf · Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 3:38 pm Post subject:

if you can't afford wood (or you don't like splinters sticking out everywhere because it's badly sanded), i'd suggest hardboard. in my experience, 1/8" hardboard panels are sturdy and still have some flexibility.

to raise them, use weatherstripping or similar foam. For me, i cut up an old mousepad.

omee66 · Basic Member Joined: 31 Jul 2006

Thanks a lot

. I'll try that out. Any other suggestions?

Plautus · Trick Member Joined: 17 Oct 2002

I saw someone who used paper towel rolls for his buttons, with the two sides of the switches inside the cardboard roll. They would spring up, but I'm not sure how long you could expect that to last, and you have to think about where you're putting your feet.

One design I'm still using is aluminum screens separated by upholstery foam (cut so there are many openings for contact). I'm building a hard pad now, hoping it'll be easier to maintain, but it works. The big challenge is trying to reduce side-to-side motion on the screens, or they'll rub together and wear out pretty quickly. I solved that by attaching the top layer of screens onto a shower curtain over the big screen I was using for ground, placing a layer of padded vinyl with my button design over that, and stapling a layer of clear vinyl over that (all this on a 3/4" board).