Assignment 15:Mechanical Design

Design a machine that includes mechanism+actuation+automation. Build the mechanical parts and operate it manually. Document the group project and your individual contribution.

Learning outcomes:

  • Work and communicate effectively in a team and independently.

  • Design, plan and build a system.

  • Analyse and solve technical problems.

  • Recognise opportunities for improvements in the design

Group assignment:

  • Design a machine that includes mechanism + actuation + automation.

  • Build the mechanical parts and operate it manually.

  • Document the group project.

  • Actuate and automate your machine.

Individual assignment

  • Document your individual contribution.

 

Grupal Assignment

1. First ideas

For this group assignment I proposed two ideas of machines that could work with the x, y and z axes. Next, the documentation on the subject was reviewed in the repositories of the Fab Academy. The examples of where I proposed these ideas were:

Reconfigurable stages: http://mtm.cba.mit.edu/machines/stages/
MTM-LJ (“Little John”) http://mtm.cba.mit.edu/machines/mtm_lj/Site/MTM_Little_John.html

I agreed with my colleagues so that the machine we built could record information in a bed of acrylic material. Moving on the axes: X, Y and Z:

For this group assignment I proposed two ideas of machines that could work with the x, y and z axes. Next, the documentation on the subject was reviewed in the repositories of the Fab Academy. The examples of where I proposed these ideas were:

2. Materials

I made the preliminary list of materials that would be necessary. Then I researched about its characteristics and how to get them on the web:

(3) NEMA 17 Stepper motor 12V For CNC Reprap 3D printer extruder 36oz-in 26Ncm 0.4A
(6) 100-500mm 15mm CNC 3D Printer Axis Chromed Smooth Rod Steel Linear Rail Shaft
(3) 8mm screw screw stainless steel ball 3d + t8 printer 300-600mm nut
(6) pcs KP08 P08 Acme Lead screw Assembly bearing Support For 8mm CNC Reprap 3D
(6) Sc8uu 8mm support bearing linear rail shaft bearing lm8uu CNC sp 3d printer
(6) pcs Linear Bearing Slide Block CNC SCS8UU 8mm Shaft for 3D Printer RepRap TE730
(7) MDF sheets
(3) Gestalt Nodes
(1) FabNet Board RS-485

3. Design of the structure of the engraver machine

I collaborated with my colleagues contributing ideas for the design of the structure of the machine. The Rhinoceros program and the Grasshopper plug-in were used to design the structure of the Engraver machine:

4. Cutting and assembly of the recording machine

I collaborated with the cutting and assembly of the parts of the recording machine. Each piece was cut using the Trotec Speedy 400 machine.

For the assembly we made several tests because the structure required to have a lot of stability. It was necessary to design, cut and assemble several reinforcements so that the engraving machine supports the required weight to be able to function correctly.

5. final assembly of the structure

Finally I collaborated with the final assembly of the mechanical structure of the machine. We had to make several modifications to the initial design because it was necessary to correct errors in the measurements, the materials and the support of the structure.