Page 169 - Toucpad robotics C11

21 st #Coding & Computational Thinking
project 4 Century # Experiential learning
Skills
A 3D-Printed Robot Chassis Design (Tinkercad-Based)
Objective: Design a functional, 3D-printable chassis for a small mobile robot using the Tinkercad platform. This
project focuses on the crucial Computer-Aided Design (CAD) phase of robotics, allowing you to apply concepts
of degrees of freedom, materials, and mechanical design in a virtual space.
Steps of the Solution:
1. Project Planning & Design:
Scope: Design a basic rectangular chassis with mounting points for components. The chassis should be
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strong enough to hold the weight of the components.
Components to Mount: You'll need to design mounting holes for a battery pack, a small microcontroller
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(like an Arduino Nano or Uno), two Direct Current motors with gearboxes, and a castor wheel.
Materials: You will be designing the model in a virtual space, but it will be designed for a specific material
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like Plastic (PLA or ABS), which is commonly used in 3D printing. This means you must consider factors
like wall thickness and strength.
2. 3D Modeling in Tinkercad:
Create the Base: Start with a simple rectangular box shape from the basic shapes library. Manipulate its
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dimensions (scaling) to create the main chassis plate.
Mounting Holes for Motors: Create two cylinder 'hole' shapes. Use the move and rotation tools (applying
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degrees of freedom) to position them precisely where the motors would be mounted on the chassis.
Use the 'group' tool to subtract these holes from the chassis plate.
Mounting for Microcontroller: Create mounting holes for the Arduino board. You can find the exact
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dimensions of an Arduino board's mounting holes online to ensure accuracy.
Mounting for the Castor Wheel: Design a small mounting plate on the chassis for the castor wheel.
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The move tool will be essential for placing this plate at the right location (e.g., at the front or back of
the chassis).
Create Structural Supports: Add some vertical ribs or walls (using rectangular prisms) to the sides of the
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chassis to increase its rigidity and prevent it from flexing under the weight of the components. This is a key
part of mechanical design.
3. Refinement and Finalization:
Virtual Checks: Use the Tinkercad platform to check your design from all angles to ensure there are no
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clashes or misalignments.
Export: Once you are satisfied with the design, export the model as an .stl file. This is the standard file
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format for 3D printing.
4. Optional: 3D Printing and Assembly:
If you have access to a 3D printer, you can print the chassis.
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Once printed, you can assemble the physical components (motors, microcontroller, battery, etc.) into
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your custom-designed chassis to bring your robot to life.

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Project 4