[3D Printing Applications] From Model to Interaction: Developing the Ultibot-D Robot using Tinkercad!

[3D Printing Applications] From Model to Interaction: Developing the Ultibot-D Robot using Tinkercad!



Ultimaker developer Alex assisted with an Ultibot-D robotics project and invited teacher Greg, an adventurous cheerleader, to co-execute it; encouraging students and adults to create using existing equipment.
Their goal was to transform the static robot model into an interactive one, a very ambitious objective; therefore, they printed the basic model in 3D at a 5:1 scale and gave it to students to explore. They were genuinely interested in the challenge of designing their own Ultibot and developing and building their own.



Interestingly, he gave his students a basic Tinkercad model, and they quickly discovered some errors in the model file. When the students asked about it, the mischievous teacher said, "Surprise! That's right, this is part of the challenge."
Students new to 3D model printing need time to get used to the operation. To help them adapt, the teachers also created some mini-courses in Tinkercad . They also used Tinkercad with the basic tutorials provided by Autodesk. After completing the tutorials, they collaborated with partners to create two software exploration activities: the " Assemble a Hamburger " project in Tinkercad and the creation of a covered box .



These are all great ways to familiarize students with the software. Assembling a hamburger helps them get used to movement and moving objects as efficiently as possible. While the covered box isn't part of the plan, it allows students to learn shape-assembly techniques. Students can use collaborative project extensions in Tinkercad , enabling them to discuss and edit rapid prototyping files online.

These students racked their brains, coming up with an idea inspired by "LEGO: Ninja Storm." They drew concept sketches and planned important details. They discussed what they liked about each idea and combined them. Ultimately, they also came up with the crucial question: how to develop an idea into a physical entity? Grouped by their prototyping of different parts of the robot, the students met face-to-face once a week, constantly working on their projects, or coming to discuss before and after class.







After several weeks of research, we explored how to connect the robots together, but encountered a bottleneck with the magnets and polystyrene models on the table. Ultimately, we decided to use 3D printing , and then we found the dinosaur skeleton on a sharing platform .
They particularly enjoyed printing out dinosaur joints to play with and study their joints; using Tinkercad to assemble these different joints, and then printing them out for testing with an Ultimaker 3D printer , they took the course to a new level. After discussing their different functions and conducting actual tests, they finally selected the rotating ball and the movable joint between the neck and arm.



Next, they expanded the joints. They resized the giant robot's shoulder and calculated the scaling factor to adapt it to a usable size. However, the first set of printed joints didn't work, so they went back to the original sockets to clarify the problem. It turned out the smaller sockets could bend, while the larger ones couldn't. Ultimately, the students concluded it was a design problem, not a hardware one. The instructors advised the students to change one variable at a time, because if the joints were scaled up proportionally, the gaps in the middle would be very loose. Later, they widened the horizontal distance of the joints by two millimeters, allowing the ball to slide into the socket.





This project is still ongoing, with students exploring ways to create interactive robotic components by separating them; they started by experimenting with Littlebits encoders that allow for changes to different parts; and they hope to share more of their findings in the future.



SanDiMa also recently supported the robotics project and is currently conducting an unannounced competition; once the results are in, we'll share the developers' hard work with everyone. In addition, we'll be at the Taipei World Trade Center Hall 3 bike show from October 31st to November 3rd! Come visit our booth G0358a to see the exhibits and receive free gifts ! All the latest news will be announced on our fan page , so please follow us to stay updated!

If you're interested in Tinkercad, you can check out some of KrasherOx's complex creations on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KrasherOx
Original link: https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/52717-modifying-an- stl -with- tinkercad ?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Ultimaker&utm_content=Modifying%20an%20STL%20with%20Tinkercad%20|%20Ultimaker