3D print
Courses tagged with "3D print"
Project Lab: Designing an Autonomous Tool Changer
- Length: 20h
- Content Type: Project
- Programming: Blockly
- Equipment: Bundle STEM
Robotic tool-changing systems have become a key enabler of flexibility and efficiency in industrial automation and robotics. By allowing a single robot to switch between different end-effectors or tools autonomously, these systems reduce downtime, enhance adaptability, and support complex multi-step processes. Inspired by CNC machining centers, modern robotic tool changers incorporate mechanical, electrical, and sometimes pneumatic coupling mechanisms to ensure rapid and reliable transitions.
In this project, students will design, assemble, and program a quick tool changer for the Niryo Ned2 robot. The quick tool changer allows the robot to automatically switch between different tools (such as a fork, pen holder, or electromagnet), making it more versatile for automation tasks.
Through a combination of mechanical assembly, electronics, soldering, 3D printing, and programming, students will gain hands-on experience in building a functional robotic accessory from start to finish.
This project bridges mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer science, providing a real-world learning experience similar to industrial robotics integration.
By completing this project, students will:
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Robotics & Mechatronics
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Understand the role of quick tool changers in industrial robotics.
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Learn how to integrate mechanical, electrical, and software systems in a robotic environment.
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Mechanical Skills
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Assemble mechanical components, including 3D-printed parts and locking mechanisms.
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Adjust tolerances, orientation, and printing parameters to ensure functional fits.
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Electronics & Wiring
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Wire and solder connectors (JST, plugs, cables) safely and accurately.
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Verify electrical connections with a multimeter to prevent short circuits.
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3D Printing & Design
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Use 3D-printed custom parts (lever, lock, cover, adaptors) in robotic assemblies.
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Apply design-for-assembly concepts, such as orientation and post-processing (sanding).
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Programming & Control
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Configure NiryoStudio to recognize and switch tools.
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Write simple Blockly programs to automate tool changes.
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Problem-Solving & Safety
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Identify and correct common issues (tolerances, misalignment, electrical errors).
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Apply safe practices in assembly, wiring, and robot operation.
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- Enrolled students: There are no students enrolled in this course.
Controlling the Ned2 with an Arduino based control box
- Content Type: Lab
- Programming: Arduino
- Equipment: Bundle STEM
Scenario
The student discovers how to connect and communicate simple instructions between an Arduino and Ned’s Raspberry Pi. In this exercise, the Ned2 robotic arm receives instructions from an Arduino to either bring vials back to an operator, or to take vials from in front of the operator, shake them, and place them in a box. The Robotic Arm is programmed with Blockly and the Arduino is programmed in C++.
The operator must fill vials, mix the contents in the vial by shaking it and then place the vials in a cardboard box.
A: Operator of an assembly line,
B: Vial conveyor
C: NED2 robotic arm control box
D: NED2 robotic arm
1: Bottle holding area
2: Bottle placement area
3: Bottle holding and shaking area
4: Placement area for the stirred bottle (cardboard box)
If the operator touches button 1 of the control box, the robotic arm takes vials from zone 1 and places them in zone 2 until the operator touches button R.
If the operator touches button 2 of the control box, the robotic arm takes bottles from zone 3 and shakes them and places them in zone 4 until the operator touches button R.
If the operator touches the R button immediately after touching button 1 or button 2, the NED2 robotic arm only performs the chosen operation once.
Laboratory Content
Chapter 1: Discovering Blockly
Getting started with Blockly
Chapter 2: Creation of the NED2 robotic arm control box
Assemble a control box which will give orders to the NED2 Robotic Arm using an Arduino microcontroller and 3 capacitive buttons.
Chapter 3: Creating movement sequences for the NED2 robotic arm
Create a movement sequence in Blockly
Create the code interface between the Arduino block and the Ned2.
Required equipment
Ned 2
Adaptative gripper (or other)
NiryoStudio
Control box (to assemble)
Arduino Nano
Control box (to be assembled)
Arduino nano
Arduino Nano
Control box
Arduino Nano (the same code can be used on Arduino UNO or MEGA)
400 point prototype board (30 rows)
Piezo Buzzer
Green LED
Red LED
Two 220k resistors
3 TTP223B capacitive sensors
Male-male and male-female cables
3D printed case (Optional, model downloadable from docs.niryo.com)
Prerequisite knowledge
Basics of building electronic circuits.
The Arduino programming environment, as well as uploading programs to the Arduino board, which is not explained in this document.
It is strongly recommended to complete the Blockly introductory lab before completing this lab if you have never used Blockly before.
Setup
- Place the Ned2 robotic arm on a table.
- The Ned2 robotic arm must have an obstacle-free perimeter of approximately 60 centimeters in radius.
- Connect the Ned2 robotic arm to the NED robotic arm safety box.
- Connect the safety box of the NED2 robotic arm to the power supply of the NED2 robotic arm.
- Connect the power supply of the NED2 robotic arm to the electrical network.
- Connect the Ned2 robotic arm to NiryoStudio.
- Connect the Arduino box to the Ned2 robotic arm (Once the box is mounted).
- Enrolled students: 16
Design of special jaws for the Ned2
- Content Type: Lab
- Equipment: Bundle STEM
Scenario
Redesign the custom gripper jaws to hold jars of capsules.
The redesign will be optimized with the objective of minimizing the mass of the jaws while maintaining sufficient rigidity.
Laboratory Contents
Chapter 1 (1h30): Mechanical simulation of the gripper
- Validate the mechanical model
- Configure the model and carry out a static simulation
- Collect simulation results
Chapter 2: Design Optimization (3h)
- Simulate the behavior of the jaw under load
- Optimize the shape of the jaw
- Remodel the jaw
Chapter 3 (3h): Implementation
Prerequisites
Knowledge of mechanical technology: forces, stresses, kinematic links, as well as volume modeling, is preferable.
Required components
Ned2
NiryoStudio
- CAD software
- Mechanical simulation software
- Topological optimization software
- Enrolled students: 16
The Coffee Challenge
- Length: 10h
- Content Type: Project
- Programming: Blockly
- Equipment: Bundle STEM
Scenario
The NED2 Robotic Arm makes a cup of coffee without human intervention.
The student discovers the basic functions of the Ned2 robotic arm. In this exercise, the Ned2 robotic arm, using the basic blocks of the Blockly “No Code” programming environment, performs a simple operation of picking up and placing a cup of coffee and pressing a button on the coffee machine. The exercise aims to show the student how to configure a robotic cell, how to adapt a gripper to specific needs (size of the coffee cup and button of the coffee machine) and how to carry out the sequence of movements to achieve the stain.
This exercise lends itself to a competition between different groups of students.
Laboratory Contents
Chapter 1: Creation of the robotic cell
- Optimize the placement of the robotic arm, coffee machine and cup
Chapter 2: Modifying the “Custom Gripper”
- Create a tool specific to the task to be carried out
Chapter 3: Discovering Blockly
- Getting started with Blockly
Chapter 4: Programming with Blockly
- Create the movements that the NED2 Robotic Arm must perform.
Chapter 5: Post your challenge on Niryo’s discord server
Required equipment
Ned2
NiryoStudio
Knowledge Prerequisites
This Laboratory is a good first contact with the fundamentals of Blockly.
- Enrolled students: 12