About
This was done in my Advanced Engineering class to make us more comfortable using 3D printers. The Claw Project was something we completed in Mr. Hazlets class previously. Between the three people in the class, we were given the assignment to reinforce it with 3D-printed parts. The part that I was assigned to work on was the Claw Front Wings. These small pieces will allow the claw to move on an axis more smoothly than it is built at the moment.
21st Century Skills |
Pros and Cons |
This piece of the claw uses Information Skills. This is shown since I had to design the part on OnShape and then transfer it to CloudPrint to be able to complete my goal, aka having the part made and printed.
During this project and others using the 3D modeling software, I learned that 3D printing could be better. It is still being developed and is more of a new idea that can grow. Sometimes, the plastic can get clogged, things will print wrong, or it is unable to remove the binding that helped make the print sturdy.
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I am proud of how quickly I was able to get this done. Doing this piece took around 40 minutes which shows how efficient I have become at using OnShape. If I had done this a couple of years ago, I would have spent a couple of hours on this.
The most challenging part was figuring out how to extrude without removing diagonally. I had this problem on another project I had been working on in this class, but thankfully, I could work around it for this piece.
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What Could be Better |
Past and Future Learning |
The first time I printed it, it snapped because it used a raft and supports. I had made it too thin, causing it to have weak spots around the neck. Jay had suggested printing it sideways to avoid using supports, which is what I will do next. I have also made it thicker to get rid of that weak point.
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This project relates to the entire claw project we did in the past. Our class is trying to make it more robust using 3D Printed pieces and sleeker designs. We each have a bit to work on, reminiscent of when we made the claws in groups.
The ability to use 3D modeling software is something that I have become good at recently. This will tie directly into all Engineering projects in the future, including if I go to college.
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