Embedded Files
One of the 3D CAD challenges I participated in was The Think Outside The Box Challenge hosted by Future Engineers.
The goal of this challenge was to design a 3D printable object that could telescope, expand, or assemble to a completed size that was larger than the print bounds of 14cm x 10cm x 10cm. The object also should be useful for astronauts living on the International Space Station. For full challenge details visit: Start Trek™ Replicator Challenge. To view my Multi-Purpose Mug entry visit: http://www.futureengineers.org/Gallery/Details/5055 or view it below on this webpage.
Expanding Pod overview image
The Expanding Pod is designed to be a water tight container in micro-gravity, to serve as an organizer, and to expand larger than the print volume in all three dimensions (Final size: 18cm x 18cm x 26cm).
Expand.mp4
Collapse.mp4Once fully expanded, the Expanding Pod is water tight. It becomes water tight when each joint screws and seals into the adjoining part.
In the two pictures above, a cut away view of the Expanding pod shows the seals between the joints. Each half of the joint has a tapered edge, (best seen in the top picture) the blue part has an edge that touches the tapered edge. These two edges are pinched together and form a water tight seal in micro-gravity when the joints are screwed tight. In the lower picture, the tapered edges (seals) between other joints can be seen.
Print Layout
The Expanding Pod consists of one large pod (blue) and four small side pods (red).
The large pod telescopes vertically in the Z dimension.
The Expanding Pod can be used to store liquid, food, or waste. It can also be used for science experiments that need water tight environments, or as a planter since the plant and its water would stay in the pod.
Besides storing liquid, astronauts can also organize or store cutlery, game pieces, tools, toiletries, etc., inside the five different pods and the lids will keep the stored objects locked in.
The large pod's top telescoping section is also height adjustable, to accommodate for any sized item. The entire top section is threaded, so it it can be as short as seen in the picture above and adjust up to as tall as seen in other pictures.
The large pod also expands horizontally in both the X and Y dimensions.
Side pods telescope vertically and screw into the to the large pod.
To keep the Expanding Pod secure in the International Space Station (ISS), it is equipped with a utility rail attachment button that allows astronauts to attach it to handrail clamps (CHAMP) or to the utility rails located in the ISS. The right picture above shows the Expanding Pod attached to my handrail clamp.
To print the lids on top of the pods, I used small break-away rings to suspend the lid over the pod. Once printed the ring looks like the top picture; however, with a slight bit of pressure the ring breaks off the pod and the lid is free (see the lower picture).
Results:
First Place
Media:
NASA Article: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/winning-students-selected-for-future-engineers-think-outside-the-box-challenge
WAAYTV Article and Interview Video:http://www.waaytv.com/space_alabama/uah-freshman-wins-national-nasa-challenge-to-design-d-printed/article_1d273a3e-aabf-11e6-b061-23c7ae8bba3f.html
University of Alabama in Huntsville News Article: http://www.uah.edu/news/people/uah-students-expandable-pod-takes-grand-prize-in-3d-printing-challenge
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