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Application of Rapid Prototyping for Design of a Walking Robot

Abstract

The desired set of skills required of modern engineers and technologists has been steadily expanding. In addition to familiarity with robotics and CAD/CAM techniques, rapid prototyping is increasingly becoming an essential tool in the design and manufacturing of complex systems. In this paper, the application of rapid prototyping in fabricating a walking robotic system and mechanism is presented. Using a Dimension uPrint Personal 3D Printer, prototypes of a robot body and legs are fabricated. These components are then used to fabricate the articulated structure of an experimental prototype for a quadruped robot. The necessary information about methods of control, power, sensors, batteries, electronics, and more is presented. Materials, methods, and tools are outlined, including the use of servomotors and microcontroller-based control systems. Students in the Applied Engineering Technology program are required to work with this robotic project as part of a laboratory experiment in the “MET 205 Robotics and Mechatronics” class. Providing students with such a hands-on approach enables them to improve their robotic skills by using rapid prototyping and microcontrollers for performing different robotic applications.

Background

In Drexel University’s School of Technology and Professional Studies, many courses related to robotics, design, and materials are offered to the students in the Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering Technology program. Courses such as Robotics and Mechatronics, Quality Control, Manufacturing Materials, Microcontrollers, and Applied Mechanics can benefit from the laboratory experience in applications of mechatronics, robotics, and rapid prototyping. As well as helping in the teaching of various courses, such experience benefits students who are pursuing degrees in the engineering field. Students in the Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial fields along with many others can learn many new skills from multi-disciplinary projects such as the rapid prototype design of a walking robot. Such projects show students how to use different types of technology, and demonstrate how advanced technology can be used in an actual application. This project teaches future engineers and technologists various advanced skills that can be used in their careers. Overall, many different fields of engineering can benefit from this application, enabling the development of skill and knowledge in many different engineering aspects and processes.

Students in the Applied Engineering Technology programs are required to complete a capstone course MET 205 Robotics and Mechatronics that increases the student’s mechatronics design-for-manufacturability knowledge. A novel rapid product manufacturing technique that reduces cost and compresses time for delivery of products produced in batches. The technique is composed of three stages – digital prototype, physical prototype and rapid tooling robotic system. The technique effectively integrates the contemporary advanced manufacturing technologies such as solid modeling, CAE,

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Chiou, R., & Carr, E., & Kizirian, R., & Yang, Y., & Killen, B., & Kwon, Y. (2010, June), Application Of Rapid Prototyping For Design Of A Walking Robot Paper presented at 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, Kentucky. 10.18260/1-2--16986