Day 10: (Thu Sep 26, Week 5) Machine Design¶
Notes for 2024-09-26.
New Assignments¶
New assignment, due Tue Oct 1: detailed fabrication-ready design of an subsystem to be assigned individually.
Administrative¶
Who does not have laser cutter access?
Agenda¶
- Discuss project plan and design considerations in detail for each proposed machine. 
- Assign subsystems. 
- Brainstorm design solutions. 
ZYY ARM¶
Main subsystems:
- rotary base for Z axis 
- common shoulder and elbow design for two Y axes 
- arm link structures 
- pneumatic actuators, plumbing, and valve system 
- joint feedback sensors and microcontroller electronics 
- end effector 
Design Considerations
- building at scale 
- structural fabrication: laser-cut 6mm plywood vs 15mm aluminum extrusion 
- aesthetics: joinery vs fasteners 
- base joint: thin-section bearing pair or turntable (e.g. VXB Kit12879) 
- base platform: pneumatic actuator anchor, anchor weights (e.g. sandbags) 
- range of motion 
- weight minimization 
- joint sensing: precision potentiometers (previously: https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/54/6630_obsolete-777205.pdf) 
- current joint prototype: modular-joint, modular-joint.zip 
- pneumatic component models: Clippard, Clippard.zip 
- pneumatic clevis components 
Boom Motor¶
Main subsystems:
- base: fixed (or sliding) 
- passive boom universal joint (yaw and roll) 
- boom structure or tube 
- wheel actuator 
- wheel 
- DC motor driver and power supply, microcontroller electronics 
- passive terrain elements 
Design Considerations
- building at scale 
- passive boom bearings: thin-section bearing pair or turntable 
- wheel size and boom length 
- range of motion, limit stops 
- motor selection 
- motor vs joint angle sensing 
- slip rings vs tether 
- boom joint sensing 
- motor rotation sensing 
Hinged Box¶
Main subsystems:
- lightweight lid and hinge system. 
- actuation (electric or pneumatic) 
- lightweight panel structure (solid or fabric?) 
Design Considerations
- sizing depends on arm size 
- position control vs bang bang operation 
- minimizing weight 
- hinge component selection 
- structural rigidity for hinge mounts 
Machine Vision¶
Main subsystems:
- camera 
- camera mounting (placement and support) 
- vision processing (e.g. OpenCV), prototype: Theater Vision System 
Resources¶
- PhysComp Visual Part Guides (from my other Fall course) 
- uxcell 6810ZZ via Amazon (65x50x7 mm ball bearings) 
- SolidWorks Component Models (sample parts, from my other Fall course) 
Vendors¶
- McMaster-Carr (industrial supplier, our favorite sources for common parts) 
- MiSUMi (automation and mechanical components) 
- Pololu (smaller robot parts, kits, components) 
- The Robot MarketPlace (inexpensive powerful 12V motors) 
- RobotShop (large variety of robot parts and systems)