Phase I

Pros: Simple to Print, Chamfers negate edge-to-edge contact

Cons: Orientation may not always be the same if dropped and picked up again

Pros: Extremely lightweight, chamfer on edges for smooth pickup, simple cube shape for easy design

Cons: HUGE unit, uneven distribution of weight, brittle

Pros: Less material used, lightweight/less load on the motor, rounded edges to counteract hard drop

Cons: Top must stay hole side up, might be too small, hole means less stability

Pros: Anti-slip design helps prevent dropping the payload the payload if grip comes loose, filet to remove excess mass, provide a guide for the claw/ hand to grip the payload, and smaller than the maximum volume to account for the 3D print layer height

Cons: Anti-slip could cause the claw/hand to get stuck, smaller size provides less area for the payload to be grabbed from, the cut-out overhang print properly

Final Decision

Design Considerations:

When we chose our final design our group, blended a few ideas from each of our brainstorms. The major discussion points/ideas that went into the design of the final payload are as follows:

Cut into each side face of the cube slightly, so that in the event that the payload begins to slip in the grip of the claw/hand mechanism then the inside edge may catch on and prevent a drop. However, we have to keep this cut out small as too much overhang will not 3-D print properly.
Chamfer the edges of the payload both to remove the sharp edges, and provide a guide to the claw/hand mechanism to the sides of the payload.
Make the payload relatively large without exceeding the maximum allowed volume (minus the layer height of the 3-D printer). A larger payload will allow a greater surface area to be grabbed.