3D Printing News

A roundup of the top 3D printing news from August 5 to August 11:

Monday, August 5

• World’s First Crowdsourced 3D Printed Sculpture to Debut in Calgary

Tuesday, August 6

• 3D Printing Brings Classic Patents Back to Life

Thursday, August 8

• MIT Students Use 3D Printing to Duplicate Secure Schlage Keys

Friday, August 9

• 3D Scanning for 3D Printing: How Kickstarter is Changing the Game

Sunday, August 11

• 3D Printed Robot Moves Like an Inch Worm on Power Lines

3D Printed Robot Design Reduces Costs

Nick Morozovsky is a mechanical engineering graduate student at University of California San Diego, where he has designed a robot he calls SkySweeper that can traverse power lines to search for damages in the wire. The robot is a novel design because it only has a motor at the joint, and inexpensive because it uses off-the-shelf electronics in combination with 3D printed plastic parts. This makes Morozovsky’s robot an immediate competitor in the space.

“Current line inspection robots are large, complex, and expensive. Utility companies may also use manned or unmanned helicopters equipped with infrared imaging to inspect lines,” said Morozovsky in an interview with his school. “This is much simpler.”

Morozovsky plans to introduce the robot at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in Tokyo in November, as part of a paper titled “A Low Degrees of Freedom, Dynamic High Wire Robot.”

The SkySweeper is competing in the Road to Maker Faire Challenge to win $2,500 to pay for expenses for the World Maker Faire in New York in September. If you like this robot, go vote for Skysweeper until August 13 at http://review.wizehive.com/voting/view/makermedia2013/15849/1387186/0, or learn about the contest here: http://makezine.com/road-to-maker-faire-challenge/

3D Printed Spider is Guaranteed to Scare

T8 is a wirelessly controlled bio-inspired octopod robot made with high resolution 3D printed parts. It uses a total of 26 motors: 3 in each leg and 2 in the abdomen. It is powered by the Bigfoot™ Inverse Kinematics Engine which performs all of the necessary calculations for smoothly controlling the motions of the robot in real time.

For more information, visit http://www.robugtix.com

3D Printed Robot Mobot to Enhance STEM Education

The Mobot modular 3D printed robot was developed for middle school and high school students to learn science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects. Modules can attach to each other and accessories to form new and exciting configurations.

“As 3D printers become more and more common place in the classroom there’s a need for engaging projects and curriculum to tie this powerful tool into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects,” said Graham Ryland, President and Co-founder of Barobo Incorporated. “We’re excited to launch the Mobot-A robot kit which offers students the opportunity to learn 21st century skills by building a robot from the ground up.”

Starting this month, all the plastic parts, accessories, assembly instructions, and curriculum for the Mobot-A will be available to download from the company’s website. The Mobot-A kit includes the internal electronics, motors, and fasteners. Users 3D print the rest. The launch of the Mobot-A kit follows a successful Beta program where over 300 robots were used in more than 30 high schools and middle schools to teach STEM subjects.

Once assembled, the Mobot-A can attach to other robots and accessories to form new and unique machines. Students can design their own accessories to attach to the robot and print on a 3D printer. In this way there’s no limit to what can be created. Curriculum ties these robot projects into math principles and students are exposed to basic programming.

“We’re breaking from traditional business models and relying on our users to, not just assemble the robot, but play an active role in manufacturing the plastic parts,” said Graham Ryland. “We’ve proven the technology in the classroom and want to get it into students’ hands as quickly and cheaply as possible. Relying on customers to manufacture their own plastic parts wasn’t an option just a few years ago, but 3D printing technology has made this new way of rolling out an educational product possible.”

Product Features:

•     Wireless programming over Bluetooth.
•     Structured curriculum tying activities into STEM subject.
•     Kids learn 21st century skills.

Included in the Mobot-A Kit are:

•     Electronics, Motor, Batteries, and Fasteners
•     Detailed Assembly Instruction and Curriculum
•     Easy to use Software

The kit is available for $139.95 and you can download the robot parts for free to 3D print yourself.

Below is a video showing the Mobot in action.

Here is a video by Bridgeway Island Computer Programming Elective who won 1st place at the UC Davis CSTEM Day.