Overview
This third-year mechatronics design project involved building a robot to move dice approximately 40 cm from point A to point B. The creative "sparking robot" configuration features a unique mechanism that mimics electrical sparking patterns.
The project integrated mechanical design, controls, and analysis to achieve precise manipulation tasks.
Technical Implementation
- Mechanical Design: Aluminum-extrusion frame with two articulated links driven by timing belts and pulleys
- Actuation: Motor-driven system for controlled movement along the sparking pattern path
- Analysis: MATLAB scripts to visualize joint forces as the dice traverses from A to B
- Custom Components: 3D-printed motor and pulley holders designed for the specific configuration
- Precision: Careful design to ensure accurate dice positioning and transfer
Key Challenges & Solutions
- Creative Configuration: Designing a functional mechanism that follows the sparking pattern aesthetic
- Force Analysis: Using MATLAB to model and optimize joint forces throughout the motion
- Precision Control: Ensuring accurate dice pickup and placement over the 40cm distance
- Integration: Coordinating mechanical components with control systems for smooth operation
Results & Impact
The robot successfully demonstrated the ability to move dice from point A to B with the unique sparking configuration. The project provided valuable experience in mechatronics design, force analysis, and creative problem-solving.
This work contributed to understanding the integration of mechanical systems with analytical tools in robotics design.