Week 11: Machine Design

Assignment

With the Harvard section, design + build a machine capable of drawing fun caricatures based on uploaded documents + code

Project: Drawing Machine

We went through a bunch of different ideas (including a procrastination machine, and a competitive tic-tac-toe bot), but ultimately chose a caricature robot. I worked with the Harvard section to create a drawing machine that uses rubber treads to move in the x-y plane. I focused on helping with the end effector design and testing the movement system, and also the final video. While our initial designs were quite ambitious, we ended up simplifying to create something functional!

Process

Working with our great leader Bobby and the team, we went through several iterations:

• Initial design planning and CAD work
• First attempt at a complex end effector with z-axis movement
• Redesign and simplification when we hit mechanical issues
• Final implementation with fixed marker position

Screenshot of CAD design

The almost finished design

Challenges

• Initial end effector design was too complex
• Rack-and-pinion system had alignment issues
• Had to balance ambition with practicality
• Time constraints led to simplified final design

Results

While we didn't achieve our original goal of having z-axis movement, the simplified design worked well for basic drawing tasks. This was a great lesson in iterative design and knowing when to simplify! Huge shoutout to Bobby for leading the way with all aspects of this (code, machining, design - all of it!).

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