Here is a gif of my process for designing, 3d printing, and casting aluminum mini quad frames. This is meant to give you an overview of the concept. Hit me up if you want a more detailed tut.
From drawing to reality. Mini quad tutorial
Feature Assignment
This assignment was to take a feature photo. I decided to interview Geran Call with Robotics and Communication Systems Engineering Technology program at Idaho State University College of Technology. Geran gave me a tour of the 3d printing and robotics labs. This was a great experience. First he introduced me to the 3d printed R2D2 (from the movie Star Wars). This radio controlled droid is fully functional and life sized. It has motorized accessory ports, the head rotates, it drives around, and it can even talk in the classic R2D2 style. Geran teaches his students to design and build functional robotic systems using 3d printed and laser cut parts. The team also built a fuctional Wall-E robot from the Disney Pixar Movie Wall-E. We explored the 3d printing lab and Geran demonstrated how the big 3d printer can blend plastic and rubber to achieve custom physical properties in the resulting printed material. There are so many cool things in the robotics lab I had to struggle to stay focused. A robotic guitar caught my attention. The guitar has one string and a computer that controls the amount of tension applied to the string. There is also a robotic strumming mechanism that holds guitar picks. The computer controls the tension and strumming to create music notes and ultimately guitar music. The last stop on the tour was in the robot lab where Geran showed me the 3d printed robot arm. The arm moves ping pong balls around and plays beer pong. This tour was awesome, and Geran is an interesting person. I really enjoyed this assignment. It was hard to decide on a single image for my assignment, and I am glad I can put the whole story up here. I hope you enjoy and get inspired to make something cool!
Geran Call with the 3d printed R2D2 robot. Geran runs the Robotics 3d Printing Lab at Idaho State University College of Technology where this R2D2 was built.
One section of the 3d printed R2D2 dome sits on the work bench. The Dome is being fitted with motors and sensors.
The 3d printed R2D2 is filled with sensors, wires, and motors. This section houses the speakers and electronics for a sliding tray mechanism.
This Wall-e robot was built at the ISU College of Technology Robotics Lab. It can drive around, talk, use its hands, and articulate head and eyes.
Geran stands next to the big 3d printer. This machine can print in multiple materials, and can blend stiff and flexible materials for desired properties.
This skull was 3d printed from a CT scan of a real persons head. The gear shape is a fusion of stiff plastic and flexible rubber all in one print.
The Robotics 3d Printing Lab at ISU College of Technology is working on this robotic guitar. The robot strums a single string that has a controlled amount of tension applied to it resulting in a musical note.
Geran Call demonstrates the functionality of the 3d printed robotic arm. The arm was designed and printed in the ISU College of Technology Robotics Lab.
This 3d printed robot arm is designed to manipulate ping pong balls. It uses sophisticated sensors and high precision motors to make fine movements.
Kyler Michaelson 