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16. Applications and implications

For this week we need to propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered and answer to some questions. Additional requirements:

Your project should incorporate 2D and 3D design, additive and subtractive fabrication processes, electronics design and production, embedded microcontroller interfacing and programming, system integration and packaging.

Where possible, you should make rather than buy the parts of your project.

Projects can be separate or joint, but need to show individual mastery of the skills, and be independently operable.

Q and A

Here are the questions and answers we needed to answer.

What will it do?

My final project is educational mobile robot. The idea is that it can be programmed to perform various tasks (e.g. cargo transport, line tracking, measuring distance…). It would be good for kids to learn electronics and programming.

Who’s done what beforehand?

Sarah Alghofaili – Faby Robot

Farhan Ali Shah – Fab Mobile Robot

Kota Tomaru – Mobile platform for research activities

What will you design?

Design and laser cut mobile robot wheels Design and 3D print mobile robot body nad parts Design the schematic and PCB in KiCAD

What materials and components will be used?

  • 3mm plywood for laser-cutting the wheels
  • PLA filament for 3D printing
  • FR1 board
  • 2x geared DC motors
  • 2x Stepper motors
  • DC motors driver
  • Electronic components (SMD resistor and capacitors, voltage regulator, ATMEGA328P)
  • LiPo battery 3S
  • DC motor driver module

Where will come from?

Most of the parts I already had. I will order two geared DC motors, two stepper motors with drivers and one DC motor driver board.

How much will they cost?

In the following table you can see the parts I ordered and price.

Materials

Qty Description Price Link
2 Stepper motor 5V + driver board 5.73 $ https://www.ebay.com/itm/122832406645?hash=item1c9961c875:g:PDEAAOSw6N1f5eZ2
2 Geared DC motor 100rpm 13.30 $ https://www.ebay.com/itm/363387504198?hash=item549b954646:g:YTgAAOSws81gqPX7
1 16A DC Motor PWM H-Bridge Driver Module 14.55 $ https://www.ebay.com/itm/253991510804

What parts and systems will be made?

I will buy above mentioned components. Everything else will be made in lab. Mobile robot body and parts will be 3D printed. Wheels will be laser cut. Then I will assemble whole mobile robot. I will also design my own microcontroller board based on ATMega328P and solder all the components.

What processes will be used?

Laser-cutting PCB production 3D printing

What questions need to be answered?

I need to decide how to power it. I still need to design my PCB in KiCAD and see how the electronics will be placed inside mobile robot. I also need to figure out the code.

How will it be evaluated?

I think my mobile robot should be successful because I included 2D, 3D design, additive and subtractive fabrication processes, electronics design and production, embedded microcontroller interfacing and programming, system integration and packaging. I used 2D design for wheels and laser-cutting. I use 3D design for mobile robot. I 3D printed out the parts for robot. Design and production of the PCB will cover the electronics. Inputs will be ultrasonic sensor and IR sensor. Outputs will be two stepper motors and two DC motors.


Last update: June 6, 2021