mechanical_design

(weeks 9 and 11)

assignment:
  • Work and communicate effectively in a team and independently
  • Design, plan and build a system
  • Analyse and solve technical problems
  • Recognise opportunities for improvements in the design
  • what is a machine?

    "an apparatus using mechanical power and having several parts, each with a definite function and together performing a particular task."

    The Project


    Machine in action


    See full write up here

    Individual contribution

    We split into groups based on what our strengths were already. I am familiar with the Rhino software so I took on the phone holder mechanism as my experience meant I could rapidly prototype with 3D printing. I also helped out with the gear prodution and ratio that allowed the steppers to lift the arm.

    we knew the mobile holder was likely to be 3D printed so we took to Thingyverse to view some models that had already been designed:

  • 1. thingy1
  • 2. thingy2
  • 3. thingy3
  • 4. thingy4
  • There were a few design considerations:

  • 1. The mount had to fit as many phones as possible. Fortunately most phones these days with a decent camera have a similar shape with the camera in the same place.
  • 2. The screen had to be kept free to work any apps or see/check the photos being taken.
  • 3. The mount had to attach to the cross beam, but in a way that allowed adjustment along the beam.
  • After looking at the models on Thingyverse we decided to create a design based on #4.

    We couldn’t find the correct size bolt after an initial search, decided to attempt to print the nut and bolt for curiosities sake.

    The prototype immediately had some critical errors in, mainly that it could not move. The bolt achieved a surprising amount of detail, but there were clearly some retraction issues which affected the structure further up. Needless to say, the correct size bolt will be sourced. The size of the design was good and the parts fitted together, but needed some editing before it was functioning.

    After some time in the workshop the prototype was working. After some functional and aesthetic tweaking of the original file the final model will be ready to print.

    The basic design we replicated as this was successful, some aesthetic curvature was added to make the piece more ergonomic as out of the whole machine this is the main bit that will be handled.