Single Hole Bearing 2.0
simonkang0421
Entry ID #: 5787
Created: Mon, Jan 7, 2019 5:41 PM
VEX components were the reason I stayed in VEX robotics. Albeit, this is my second year, I think that the only reason that I stuck to VEX rather than FIRST was because of the element of creativity needed to utilize the given set of parts. Which is why, when asked the question “What part do you think should be made?” I had a hard time finding a part that fit both the multipurpose aspect as well as the practical aspect. Basically, whether this part would be used, and if used, will it have more than one frequent use to it? When I looked at the what I though VEX should have in their component set was bearings. I realize that there are bearings of all kinds: locking, flat, vertical, and high strength. These parts are useful in some parts of the chassis, such as the drive train and large mechanisms. However, when it comes to smaller mechanisms, it tends to become difficult to utilize these bearings, and I think it is because of two reasons. Attaching the bearing into smaller spaces is strenuous and difficult because of having to fit in a screw and bolt along with the bearing. The bearings are slightly larger than the 0.5-hole increments on plates, bars, and channels, making it hard to fit in multiple shafts into a smaller area when needed. The vertical bearing that I designed fits the bill for both problems. For one, it has a screw built into it. I have not made any variations to the lengths of the screw for the same reason I thought that this component should be built in the first place. The screw is 3/8 inches long and the axle hole is within the 0.5-hole increments at 0.48 inches. This allows people to not only connect an axel vertically but also connecting shafts through the holes of c-channels if placed correctly. Also, the reason why I didn’t make the entire width of the bearing to fit the increment was to allow wriggle room, so in case people wanted to attach a shaft at an angle, by placing a washer between the plate/channel/bar it would allow for free angling. In designing a robot, I see this component in small mechanisms which require the team to work with small spaces. However, even outside of smaller mechanisms, these bearings can be used for a second purpose, rubber band anchoring. Previously, people got creative. They used standoffs, screw holes, and even the vertical bearing, for anchoring rubber bands. However, I believe that my component would give people another viable option for anchoring rubber bands. The fact that it itself has a screw that could attach to a surface with a bolt means that it can be a quick way to make prototypes, and could be further used in, again, smaller mechanisms. Contrary to what I thought was going to happen prior to going into designing, the time I spent on Fusion 360 was about 10% of the total time I spent on this project. 90 percent of the time, I was brainstorming, planning, calculating, and researching the task. The version I used in the design process was Autodesk Fusion 360 2.0.5331, or the latest updated version. During the time I spent on the software designing, I had 3 versions of the bearing before I was satisfied, and thanks to Fusion 360’s ability to go back and forth to different versions on the fly, it helped me fix sketches while still keeping the extrusions and threading. 3D designing has always been interesting for me ever since I joined robotics as a freshman. Now, as a senior, I want to continue honing my 3D designing skills. Although my major, pharmacy, seems distant from 3D designing at first glance, I see many ways I could possibly implement it later in my career. This project became a major stepping stone in practicing both planning a design as well as the designing itself. For the future, I would like to further my practice, and hopefully, be able to link pharmacy and CAD. Thank you for such an awesome opportunity VEX robotics and AutoCAD!
