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Project Description: In a group, design and build an automated Skittles dispenser using TinkerCAD, controlled by a Microbit. The Microbit will trigger the dispenser to release 5 - 10 Skittles when prompted.
Brainstorm: Our first design brainstorm was a screw. The storage was supposed to feed into a screw that would slowly lower skittles down to a collecting area. By turning it an exact number of times, we could accurately give a specific amount of skittles. However, the servo can only turn 180 degrees so the screw was not an option and we scrapped the idea. We made a new design where the skittles would fall down a hole. The servo would turn a circle that had a hole in the side which would allow a specific amount of skittles to fall down into a collecting area.
Our previous screw design.
This is the circle that the servo turns to allow the skittles to fall through the hole. The rectangle is used to fit the servos blades that turn the circle.
This is the main design of the Skittles Dispenser. The orange circle underneath the hole would turn from the servo and release skittles to a dropping area. the Microbit would fit in the square opening near the bottom of the box
Procedure:
We first created a Tinkercad and shared it with each other
We started the outer layer of the project making a box with walls and one open side.
We put the design into a USB and laser cutted the orange circle as well as teh walls of the design
How the design looked after laser cutting the walls as well as the rotating circle. Now we just needed to print some supporters and something to hold the Microbit servo.
After printing out all the necessary pieces, we taped them together quickly to see if it worked. The circle turned relatively smoothly and the only problem was the servo moving around too much. We then planned to print out a piece to secure the servo and some ramps to let the skittles fall to the hole.
This is how our design looked like in the end, with everything fully put on.
Here is a link to the video of the design working: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z49Jf6iWgnHFCCY2OYQxWYESQGfshrPR/view?usp=drive_link
Reflections
-Strength
My strength during this project was working quickly and efficiently. I printed and designed quickly and finished everything in the project on time.
-Opportunity
I feel like I could've done more work if I used all my time wisely as there were times when I wasn't concentrated on the task.
-Understand
I learned that laser cutting and 3D printing have both their benefits. However, for a project like this for making a large area such as walls should be used with laser cutting while smaller more accurate parts should be 3D printed.
-Limitation
I feel like there wasn't enough time and we were needed to move and work relatively quickly to finish the project.
-WISCR
-W I think I was well rounded throughout the project as I designed and printed quickly and efficiently finishing the project on time
-I I also think I was insightful in the project. I had a good understanding of the project knowing how to design and quickly figured how to laser cut a piece.
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