Conductive Thread

Another method of creating the coil needed for a speaker is through use of conductive threads and yarns. These can be hand or machine sewn into the paper to form the coiled shape. The threads and yarns “carry current the same ways that wires can”, creating a “flexible circuit”. They are “uninsulated” and therefore are able to connect to other “electronic components” well. When sewing with conductive threads and yarns, to guarantee a strong connection, they should be “sewn very tight and with more loops that normally used with regular thread”. After time, conductive threads can start to “fray” and the “stitches” made can be become “loose”. However, additional coating such as “wire glue” can be applied to reduce the effect of this. 

Conductive threads are spun for a variety of uses like “anti-static, electromagnetic shielding, intelligent textiles, wearable technology, data transfer and heating purposes”. Yarns can be created by being “metalized” with an “alloy” such as “silver, copper, tin and nickel”. Such yarns have a “cotton or polyester” “core”. Other alternative yarns are “silver-coated” “nylon threads” and 100% “stainless steel threads”. When selecting which type of yarn or thread is best for different uses, the “resistance” needs to be “calculated”. A “small project” a “high resistance” can be used.

Yarns differ in “conductivity” and “resistivity” depending on their construction, length and width. A “4-ply” yarn “contains twice as much metal” as a “2-ply” yarn, making the yarn thicker and “more conductive”. As the length of the thread increases, the resistivity also increases. As a result, yarns are not as effective when used in “long connections”.

The use of yarns in speaker designs would give an appliqued, embroidery quality to the aesthetic and surface texture. This could therefore create risen areas that have a strong decorative feel to this speaker. This hints at the dual-purpose concept of the speakers. Visually attractive paper shapes could be displayed yet pop-out and unfold to create a functional electronic item. The use of threads and yarns transform paper into textiles, which may not be as suitable for outdoor use and possible camping and travelling markets. These yarns however do not necessarily have to stay on the surface of the paper speaker. The process of hand making paper involves creating pulp that is then layered to give the thickness of paper wanted. Embedding yarns and threads in a coiled form at this pulp stage could allow for hidden and protected electronics. Tests would need to be carried out to confirm that this would not affect the conductivity and resistance of the yarns.

Dia, . (n.d). sparkfun. Retrieved from https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/sewing-with-conductive-thread/all

how to get what you want (n.d). how to get what you want. Retrieved from http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/?p=379.

open materials (n.d). open materials. Retrieved from http://openmaterials.org/materials-101-electrotextiles/#thread.