Week 10: Mechanical Design, Machine Design¶
Mechanical Design (part 1 of 2)¶
Group assignment:
Design a machine that includes mechanism + actuation + automation + application
Build the mechanical parts and operate it manually Document the group project
Individual assignment:
Document your individual contribution
Machine Design (part 2 of 2)¶
Group assignment:
Actuate and automate your machine
Document the group project
Individual assignment:
Document your individual contribution
Inspiration¶
Drawing inspiration from our Peruvian heritage and a deep concern for the health of our community, our team embarked on a journey fueled by the vibrant tapestry of our culinary traditions and a desire to address the nutritional challenges faced by many, particularly children, within our country. In Peru, we are blessed with a rich array of indigenous superfoods like maca, yet despite their nutritional potency, their appeal often falls short, especially among younger generations.
Witnessing firsthand the adverse effects of poor dietary habits on the well-being of our people, particularly the prevalence of health issues among children due to inadequate nutrition, we felt compelled to innovate. Thus, the idea of PachamamaPrint was born— revolutionary superfood 3D printer designed to transform maca,a and potentially other nutritious ingredients, into enticing and visually appealing culinary creations. Our inspiration stemmed from a dual commitment: to celebrate the bounty of our land and to address the pressing need for accessible, nutritious food options that resonate with diverse palates, ultimately fostering a healthier future for our community
BIOMATERIALS TESTING¶
Master Wilber and I had to carry out the testing of the biomaterials for which we did the test with maca, tocosh, coca flour and the results were:
Conclusions from biomaterials testing¶
After several tests with different biomaterials we came to the conclusion that the material that is most consistent is maca flour, which was chosen to carry out week 10 of the machine.
Design¶
In the initial phase of designing PachamamaPrint, I delved into the realm of existing 3D food printers, particularly those specializing in chocolate, scouring the market for inspiration. Observing their forms and functionalities, I began sketching out preliminary designs, envisioning a cubic structure that would provide stability and practicality for our intended purpose. Taking cues from the sleek, streamlined shapes of contemporary food printers, I aimed to marry functionality with aesthetics, ensuring that our machine would not only be efficient but also visually appealing.
Transitioning from conceptual sketches to tangible designs, I turned to Fusion 360, a powerful CAD software, to bring my ideas to life. Drawing upon components from existing 3D printers, I meticulously crafted each element with precision, seeking to optimize performance and ease of use. Through iterative modeling and refinement, I created a digital prototype of PachamamaPrint, complete with intricate details and realistic textures. Rendering the design allowed me to visualize the final product, refining it further based on feedback and feasibility considerations.
As our team progressed, we encountered the crucial challenge of adapting our design to accommodate the unique properties of maca and the extrusion process. Collaborating closely with colleagues who conducted ingredient testing, I focused on refining the extrusion component to ensure seamless integration with our chosen superfood. Iterating through various designs and material compositions, we fine-tuned the extrusion mechanism to achieve optimal results, balancing precision with reliability to guarantee consistent output.
In hindsight, the journey of designing PachamamaPrint was not without its obstacles. Despite our meticulous planning and attention to detail, we encountered unforeseen challenges along the way as described. However, each setback served as a learning opportunity, prompting us to reassess our approach and implement innovative solutions. Through perseverance and collaborative effort, we overcame adversity, ultimately realizing our vision of creating a transformative tool for promoting healthier eating habits and fostering a brighter future for our community.
Manufacturing, recycling and assembly¶
Manufacturing¶
With the designs finalized, the next step was to bring them into the physical realm through 3D printing. Utilizing Ultimaker Cura slicer software, I prepared the digital models, generating the necessary G-codes to instruct the printer.
PROTOTYPE CONSTRUCTION¶
Teacher Wilber and I traveled to Lima to meet Maria and Silvana to carry out assignment 10 of machines for which we decided to build a 3D printer that can print images or letters with maca filament and the materials we need are:
- MATERIAL
- 2 M8 Z axis threaded rods
- 3 Nut T8
- V-SLOT PROFILE 20X20x300
- 2 GT2 timing belt half meter 6mmx1M X and Y axis
- 2 GT2 toothed pulley 22 teeth M5 motor for the X and Y axis
- 2 GT2 22 smooth toothed pulley M5 X and Y axis
- 6 smooth M8 rods of 30 cm Y, Z and X axis
- Working temperature: -30ºC ~ 70ºC
- 10 M8 linear bearings
- 1 M8 threaded rod for the extruder
- 8 90 degree angles per 20 mm
- 3 Flexible couplings M5xM8
- 1 Flexible coupling M8xM8 15 soles
- Nuts and bolts
- 100 SLIDING HAMMER HEAD NUT M5 (order more, they will be lost)
- 40 M3 engine bolts
- 100 M5 screws Electronic
- Arduino Mega
- 3D Printer Controller Board RAMPS 1.4 Arduino Mega Shield
- 5 Stepper motor NEMA 17 42x39mm 4.2Kg
- 2 100k thermistors (to see the temperature at which material is worked in the environment)
- 1 Lcd Graphic 128x64 Shield Ramps 1.4 3d Printer
- 5 Cable for stepper motor, 1 meter long, 4 wires, with HX254 Female
- Inputs for motor (Nema 17)
- 12V and 20A power supply with power cable
- 3 Limit Switch Module for 3D Printer
- A4988 Stepper Motor Driver Module for Pololu
FABRICATION AND ASSEMBLY¶
To make the 3D printer we had to buy recycled printers and electronic components
My support in the work was to put the 2 motors on the structure, it was complicated since I had no experience and it took several hands and adjustment with the 3D printed parts.
