Mechanical design
Group assignment: - Design a machine that includes mechanism+actuation+automation+application
- Build the mechanical parts and operate it manually
- Document the group project and your individual contribution
In this assignment we were working on the development of the robot arm for the group.
Group link
My Role: Assisting in Mechanical Assembling & Control Interface Designing
- Mechanical Assembly:
- Assisted in assembling robotic arm joints: base, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and gripper.
- Mounted motors and ensured structural alignment for smooth movement.
- Performed tuning and mechanical tests to verify joint performance.
- Control Interface Designing:
- Designed a manual control panel using Web serial communication.
- Mapped controls to microcontroller I/O pins for each axis.
- Labeled and tested the interface for usability and responsiveness.
- Collaboration & Documentation:
- Worked with the electronics team to wire and test the control panel.
- Participated in debugging and system integration.
What I have learned from this project.
Learning Outcomes 1. Mechanical Design & Fabrication- Learned how to design a multi-joint robotic arm with degrees of freedom for pick-and-place tasks.
- Gained experience in using CAD tools like SolidWorks for 3D modeling and Assembly.
- Developed hands-on skills in digital fabrication (3D printing, assembly).
- Understood mechanical constraints like torque, joint limits, and structural integrity.
- Learned to select suitable motors (stepper and servo) based on torque and precision requirements.
- Gained practical experience with stepper motor drivers.
- Understood the wiring and power requirements of a multi-motor system.
- Explored techniques for managing load and motor heat dissipation.
- Developed skills in embedded programming using Arduino/ESP32.
- Understood how to translate manual operations into automated sequences.
- Learned basic motion planning and joint coordination.
- Experienced how to combine mechanical, electrical, and software components into a working system.
- Understood debugging practices across subsystems mechanical misalignment, electrical faults,load balancing and code errors.
- Gained project management skills: planning, documentation, testing, and iterative improvement.
- Understood how robotic arms are applied in real-life scenarios such as manufacturing and lab automation.
- Reflected on the limitations of the current model and ideated improvements.
- Learned to operate the arm manually and compare its performance with the automated mode.
- Collaborated effectively in a multidisciplinary team by taking ownership of specific components.
- Practiced documenting work clearly for group reports and individual portfolios.