S9 Final Project Post - Robotics

Executive Summary

Over the course of the last 6 weeks, I have been able to facilitate the use of fab lab equipment. I have been able to do this by designing parts for the robotics teams at my school and then using fab lab equipment, mainly the laser cutters and the 3D printers, to create specialized parts for our First Robotics Competition Team and also the First Tech Challenge teams and the MATE Underwater Robotics teams. The highlight of this project was the creation of the "Brain Box". The Brain Box houses all of the crucial electronics in a compact, modular, clear container that allows us to access and maintain the electronics with ease.

This new collaboration between Robotics and Fab Lab has lead to the sharing of resources that gives our robotics team a competitive advantage over other teams. Being able to rapidly prototype parts for the robot using a 3D printer or a laser cutter is invaluable, especially in competitions in which we have a limited time frame. The Fab Lab's machines are also more precise than the ones in the robotics lab.

Brain Box

The first Brain Box I made. It is made out of polycarbonate. This was not laser cut by me but I aided with the design of this prototype. We realized that it did not properly fit the specifications of the container that the team needed, so I had to make another one.

The second Brain Box I made. This one is made out of acrylic and is able to be laser cut. I helped design the brain box, laser cut the brain box and built the brain box. I had to solvent weld the box together in order to finalize the construction of the container.

Journal

First Tech Challenge

At the beginning of the trimester, I realized the robotics team needed some parts made. I took it upon myself to design the parts needed. I 3D designed the parts in 123D and in tinkercad, and then took it upon myself to print these parts. I designed parts for my First Tech Challenge Team.

MATE Underwater Robotics

I later took models from other team members, refined them and then used my skills to 3D print them and laser cut them out.

One of the prototypes printed for the MATE underwater robotics team

The last shroud printed for the underwater robotics team. These shrouds cover the motors and allow the motors to work underwater. These are crucial.

First Robotics Competition

The biggest thing that I did during this project was create the brain box. The brain box is a crucial compact container that houses the entire robot's electronics systems.

Parts for Brain Box

First Prototype of the Brain Box. Made out of polycarbonate and could not be laser cut.

Second Prototype of the Brain Box. Made out of acrylic and could be laser cut. Also has shelves and a top.

Second Brain Box with Electronics

New Brain Box with Electronics and motor controllers on the outside.

This is a side by side of the first brain box and the second brain box that I made. The first brain box is a prototype that was machine cut. The second brain box(right) is much clearer and fits the specifications of the robot perfectly. Also, it is laser cut. And it is much sleeker.

Robotics Slideshow

Robotics Project Slideshow

Reflection

I learned not to always trust other people's files and to constantly check myself. I trusted Mr. Kent's file to laser cut, and the dimensions were off. I was able to catch the error and will never make it again.
I also forgot to clean the lens of the laser cutter one day, and the acrylic wasn't properly cut. Now I know that I MUST properly maintain the equipment for my sake and the sake of the fab lab.
I learned how to laser cut PDFs. It is not a very complicated process, but it took some experimentation and some help to derive. There is a video above that shows how.
I learned in the robotics project to always have a second opinion. I kept on trying to properly place the supports and kept failing. I asked some friends to help me align and it was done instantly.
Always double check measurements. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to create another brain box for robotics
Using the Fab Lab to create parts completely changes the dynamic of designing and creating parts. The laser cutters in the fab lab are definitely more accurate in their cuts than a bandsaw or a mill. Also, using 3D printers changes the idea that parts are just 2 dimensional. Parts can be designed on a computer and then sent to a 3D printer. This process leads to a better end product with probably less time wasted in the process.

Future Work

I have started using PolyMaker products, such as the Polybox and the Polysher in order to see if I can increase the quality of prints by smoothing the prints out after the prints are done. This is done through a proprietary filament that will smoothen when sprayed with isopropyl alcohol. Imagine if the fab lab and other ventures could use normal 3D printers and normal settings but have the ability to produce a high resolution product. Wouldn't that be amazing. That is why I am looking into PolyMaker's products.
Adjusting the settings on the 3D printers themselves to create better prints before putting them into the Polysher.
Adjusting infill %, # of shells and other settings regarding durability of product and then putting them all into the Polysher. I want to find out whether the Polysher makes a big difference and if we can actually use low-resolution setting and produce a high-resolution product.

Links

Design Thinking 10th Grade Google Drive Folder

Robotics Google Drive Folder

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