Plate Flipper
snorsnax
Entry ID #: 7376
Created: Sat, Jan 11, 2020 10:55 AM
It happens all too often. There you are between matches trying to get your bot repaired, get fresh batteries on, and get over to the queuing table in time for the next match. Once at the table you let out a sigh of relief, you made it and you’re ready to battle it out with your opponent. You look down at your bot to admire the beautiful machine that you and your team created. Then and only then does it hit you. WE DIDN’T CHANGE OUR PLATES! The College of Southern Maryland’s Robotics team has experienced this one too many times and have decided to do something to fix it. This single print part allows one to mount both the red and blue identification plates to the bot at once. When mounted on the bot the plate flipper allows you to easily and efficiently flip to the desired color. All one needs do in order to achieve the desired result is pull the mounting plate up and rotate it to the desired color once the desired color is selected push the mounting plate back down to the resting position in order to secure it. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” That is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi and the inspiration for this part. If you too want to make a difference and make your very own Vex plate, just follow these easy steps! You will first need a copy of fusion 360, for our purposes we used the educational edition (V2.0.6263). Next it is important to use the sketch and dimensioning tools to design the part (but remember to check your units!) Next the extrusion tool will be used to make the design sketch a 3D part, this file will now be able to be sent to the printer! This project allowed us to gain the experience of having an issue and using our CAD and printing knowledge to overcome that obstacle. We have used 3D printing many times in the past and will continue to do so in the future whether it be to print extra gears, spacers, and pulleys; or use it to create fully custom parts. This software helps us level the playing field in competitive robotics competitions. As a two-year school it is incredibly hard to stay competitive with larger four-year schools who have access to an incredible amount of resources. 3D printing is relatively cheap and allows us to create custom parts that enhance the capability of our bots to a level where we can go toe-to-toe with any opponent we face. This skillset will prove to be valuable in our careers as mechanical and electrical engineers by allowing us to rapidly prototype solutions to problems we encounter.
