Uploaded April 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Get your first 10 PCBs for free at pcbway.com
I've been thinking about building a jamming or 'beanbag' gripper for some time. This gripper uses a flexible membrane full of granular material which can form around the item to be picked up. The air is then sucked out of the membrane which cases the grains to be pulled together so that is becomes rigid. This is like a brick of vacuum packed coffee, but in this case I'm using BB pellets. My membrane is made from a squeezy toy and the rest of the assembly is 3D printed. I'm using a Dynamixel servo to pull a 200CC syringe which pulls the air out of the membrane.
CAD is at: github.com/XRobots/JammingGripper
Thanks to ROBOTIS for the Dynamixel servo: Check out: dynamixel.com
This servo is: robotis.us/dynamixel-xm540-w270-t
You can support me on Patreon or buy my Merchandise:
***************************
Patreon: patreon.com/xrobots
***************************
Affiliate links - I will get some money of you use them to sign up or buy something:
***************************
Matterhackers 3D printing supplies: http://www.matterhackers.com?aff=7500
Music for your YouTube videos: share.epidemicsound.com/xrobots
***************************
Other socials:
***************************
Instagram: instagram.com/xrobotsuk
Facebook: facebook.com/xrobotsuk
Twitter: twitter.com/xrobotsuk
***************************
CAD and Code for my projects: github.com/XRobots
Huge thanks to my Patrons, without whom my standard of living would drastically decline. Like, inside out-Farm Foods bag decline. Plus a very special shoutout to Lulzbot, Inc who keep me in LulzBot 3D printers and support me via Patreon.
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
Below you can also find a lot of the typical tools, equipment and supplies used in my projects:
Filament from: 3dfuel.com
Lulzbot 3D Printers: bit.ly/2Sj6nil
Lincoln Electric Welder: bit.ly/2Rqhqos
CNC Router: bit.ly/2QdsNjt
Ryobi Tools: bit.ly/2RhArcD
Axminster Micro Lathe: bit.ly/2Sj6eeN
3D Printer Filament: bit.ly/2PdcdUu
Soldering Iron: bit.ly/2DrNWDR
Vectric CNC Software: bit.ly/2zxpZqv
Why not join my community, who are mostly made up of actual geniuses. There’s a Facebook group and everything: facebook.com/groups/287089964833488
XROBOTS
Former toy designer, current YouTube maker and general robotics, electrical and mechanical engineer, I’m a fan of doing it yourself and innovation by trial and error. My channel is where I share some of my useful and not-so-useful inventions, designs and maker advice. Iron Man is my go-to cosplay, and 3D printing can solve most issues - broken bolts, missing parts, world hunger, you name it.
XRobots is the community around my content where you can get in touch, share tips and advice, and more build FAQs, schematics and designs are also available.
Get your first 10 PCBs for free at pcbway.com
I've been thinking about building a jamming or 'beanbag' gripper for some time. This gripper uses a flexible membrane full of granular material which can form around the item to be picked up. The air is then sucked out of the membrane which cases the grains to be pulled together so that is becomes rigid. This is like a brick of vacuum packed coffee, but in this case I'm using BB pellets. My membrane is made from a squeezy toy and the rest of the assembly is 3D printed. I'm using a Dynamixel servo to pull a 200CC syringe which pulls the air out of the membrane.
CAD is at: github.com/XRobots/JammingGripper
Thanks to ROBOTIS for the Dynamixel servo: Check out: dynamixel.com
This servo is: robotis.us/dynamixel-xm540-w270-t
You can support me on Patreon or buy my Merchandise:
***************************
Patreon: patreon.com/xrobots
***************************
Affiliate links - I will get some money of you use them to sign up or buy something:
***************************
Matterhackers 3D printing supplies: http://www.matterhackers.com?aff=7500
Music for your YouTube videos: share.epidemicsound.com/xrobots
***************************
Other socials:
***************************
Instagram: instagram.com/xrobotsuk
Facebook: facebook.com/xrobotsuk
Twitter: twitter.com/xrobotsuk
***************************
CAD and Code for my projects: github.com/XRobots
Huge thanks to my Patrons, without whom my standard of living would drastically decline. Like, inside out-Farm Foods bag decline. Plus a very special shoutout to Lulzbot, Inc who keep me in LulzBot 3D printers and support me via Patreon.
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
Below you can also find a lot of the typical tools, equipment and supplies used in my projects:
Filament from: 3dfuel.com
Lulzbot 3D Printers: bit.ly/2Sj6nil
Lincoln Electric Welder: bit.ly/2Rqhqos
CNC Router: bit.ly/2QdsNjt
Ryobi Tools: bit.ly/2RhArcD
Axminster Micro Lathe: bit.ly/2Sj6eeN
3D Printer Filament: bit.ly/2PdcdUu
Soldering Iron: bit.ly/2DrNWDR
Vectric CNC Software: bit.ly/2zxpZqv
Why not join my community, who are mostly made up of actual geniuses. There’s a Facebook group and everything: facebook.com/groups/287089964833488
XROBOTS
Former toy designer, current YouTube maker and general robotics, electrical and mechanical engineer, I’m a fan of doing it yourself and innovation by trial and error. My channel is where I share some of my useful and not-so-useful inventions, designs and maker advice. Iron Man is my go-to cosplay, and 3D printing can solve most issues - broken bolts, missing parts, world hunger, you name it.
XRobots is the community around my content where you can get in touch, share tips and advice, and more build FAQs, schematics and designs are also available.
