Making blog
After testing and making notes of what to improve, I've now completed the 3D model for Prototype #2. I think it's getting really close now, and if it works as well as I think it will I'll be able to move onto the final design stage...making it look Amazing! Summer gave me some great pointers and ideas for what it could look like. This is going to be fun, and I hope Summer and Jaxon like what I come up with.
Time to get version 2 on the printer so I can test it out this weekend.
It's been an exciting few days. I've been able to use the 3D model to make the first prototype and do some testing with actual Lego pieces! Here's what I've learned so far:
1. The hinge mechanism works, but I'm not satisfied with it yet. So, it will need a few tweaks to make it work really well, but I'm confident it will get there for the next prototype.
2. The Plate Popper features at the end of each arm worked on the first try! That almost never happens. Just a couple really minor changes here, but they get to stay for the final version.
3. The size overall is pretty good, I think. It feels a little too small for me when I use it, which means it should be just right for Jaxon.
4. The handle spacing is a little wide, and a bit awkward to use. I'll need to make some changes here so they sit closer together when all the way closed. I also think I'll add some rubber loops to make it easier for Jaxon to control.
5. I added a scoop to one side of the jaws. It was a bit of a wild idea and I'm not sure if Jaxon will find it useful, but it does create another way of picking up the smaller 2 stud pieces. I'm going to leave it in because I think it has potential.
6. The 3D printed plastic surface of the jaws can grab Lego blocks okay, but it really needs to be squeezed tightly. It doesn't work the best though. I think I'll change the shape a bit, and also rubber dip it so the jaws have some more grip. Those changes should allow Jaxon to pick up pieces with only a little bit of pressure.
Back to design of Prototype #2.
HTI was able to host Logan and his entire class at our facility to show them real robots in action! We were also able to give an in-person update on the Water Tank. CAD Guy Cody showed the class the latest model that now includes a rooftop solar panel, camo paint job, and working envelope for the trough and water spout concept.
I've been thinking through the various ideas we discussed and have started to create a first prototype design for a Lego Multi-tool. So far, it incorporates 3 main features:
1. A plier style gripper for Jaxon to get a good grip on small parts
2. A top side block separator
3. A bottom side block separator
I'd like to sneak in a at least one more feature, but as I'm not sure if what I have will even work yet I'm going to make this version and do some testing. I think the design is showing good promise, but there are still some details that could prove tough to solve.
My biggest concern today is how well my 3D printer will be able to create parts that mesh well with the Lego pieces. Lego is very precise, where 3D printers are less so. I guess we'll find out soon enough!
Designer Steve completed the infrastructure and mechanics of the Tallhouse and now it is time to place the house and accents, as well as the dome that Lily planned for.
The infrastructure to support the Tallhouse is taking shape. Steve created a box to support the house and hold the mechanics of it. Lily envisioned a dome cover the home so Steve found a dome & sent it out for polishing !
Our makers are hard at work, gathering ideas, drawing plans, and cutting out shapes to build scenes and characters.
After a great conversation with Summer I've been sketching out some ideas, researching how to design some features and trying to be as creative as possible. Plenty of questions still to answer, and next up is to move these ideas into a 3D Model to get ready for the first prototype build!
We are so excited to be working with Logan, our Little Inventor of the Water Tank! We have had two meetings with him and his teacher, Mrs. Rozkowski, and he has given us great new insight about capabilities that he wants the water tank to have, like the kind of engine it should have and the color it should be - both details adjusted so it doesn't scare off the animals. CAD Guy Cody has started the design of the Water Tank in Autodesk Inventor and is off to a great start. Awesome ideas Logan! Keep them coming!
Our designer, Steve, is working on modeling the house for illustrations that will tell the story of Lily's inspiration and plans for her Tallhouse. We are also working on fabrication of the base that will support the model.
It's all starting to come together!
The design team decided the best way to feature the Tallhouse was to get a model kit home and design around it so that it would have a clean look and feel. Lily liked the house being blue so Steve custom painted the home.
Steve has been designing and printing support pieces for the Talllhouse infrastructure.
3D printing is a great way to quickly produce parts, although sometimes you don't quite realize the time it takes! These support pillars have been printing for 21 hours and as you can see by the photo there are going to be 1057 layers of material used!
After meeting with Lily, the design team set to work modeling parts for the mechanicals of the scale model of Lily's house. A housing has to be built to hold the actuator that will lift and lower The Tallhouse model. We're making progress!
PTI's design team selected Lily's idea and scheduled a Zoom call to learn more about Lily and what motivated her to design "The Tallhouse". We discussed overall design, some details to incorporate in the scale model, and also other ways "The Tallhouse" could be used in the future. Designs come to life with collaboration!
It was such a pleasure working with Emma to bring her idea to life. The team at STARBASE One really enjoyed this opportunity. Great idea Emma!
It was a great event this week to reveal the Auto Tree Planter at the Meet the Makers event! Our team was so excited to work on this invention and see it come to life. Hunter's idea was inspiring and it was so fun working with him. Thank you!
The Picker Upper Monster Autobot or P.U.M.A. was revealed last night at the Little Inventors Celebration in Macomb County!
Our team was honored to work with our inventor Charlotte to bring her invention to life. She has been a great partner and collaborator and we look forward to seeing what she does in the future! A big shout out to her incredible teacher Ms. Bloomhuff for inspiring her students and giving them the opportunity to explore their ideas!
We are in the final days of the Trash Monitor project, our team has been putting the finishing touches on The Trash Monitor, testing sensors, the conveyor system, and adding the touch screen which will display a recycling presentation.
Several Fori teams, including mechanical engineering, controls engineering, marketing, human resources, and the manufacturing shop came together to work on this project. Everyone involved truly enjoyed the opportunity to exercise their creative muscles and bring Sa-niya's amazing invention to life.
In the images, you can see the final CAD design for The Trash Monitor along with one of our engineers wiring a board for the receptacle sensors. One of the reasons we liked this design was its practicality and how we can see it used today in many applications from a school hallway to an office complex or a bustling shopping mall.
Emma really has our creative juices flowing. Our makers are hard at work, preparing for the big reveal. Here are some samples of their progress.
After completing our recycling research we moved on to sourcing the parts we would need for "The Trash Monitor" and creating the design. We had to find a trash receptacle we could modify and sensors to detect various items and materials being thrown away. Many of the other parts such as the project logo, recycling logo, and conveyor could be 3D printed in our shop, here in Shelby Twp., Michigan. Jordan Zak, one of our mechanical engineers who specializes in 3D printing, created a design concept using CAD software and designed the conveyor model as well.
The idea for the trash monitor is someone drops what they think is a piece of trash in the bin, and the sensors in the bin detect if the item is trash or if it is a recyclable material. If the item can be recycled or reused it moves onto the conveyor and back to the user. If the item is truly trash it stays in the bin. If an item is recyclable "The Trash Monitor" alerts the user with a buzzing noise and the recycling symbol will light up green.
Another final aspect of the trash monitor is the information panel on the front of the design. A screen is attached to "The Trash Monitor," this informational screen helps the user learn more about waste, recycling, and how we can all make small changes with our trashy habits for a better community and better world.