Application of rapid prototyping for design of a walking robot

Abstract

The desired set of skills required of modern engineers and technologists has been steadily expanding. In addition to familiarity with robotics and CAD/CAM techniques, rapid prototyping is increasingly becoming an essential tool in the design and manufacturing of complex systems. In this paper, the application of rapid prototyping in fabricating a walking robotic system and mechanism is presented. Using a Dimension uPrint Personal 3D Printer, prototypes of a robot body and legs are fabricated. These components are then used to fabricate the articulated structure of an experimental prototype for a quadruped robot. The necessary information about methods of control, power, sensors, batteries, electronics, and more is presented. Materials, methods, and tools are outlined, including the use of servomotors and microcontroller-based control systems. Students in the Applied Engineering Technology program are required to work with this robotic project as part of a laboratory experiment in the "MET 205 Robotics and Mechatronics" class. Providing students with such a hands-on approach enables them to improve their robotic skills by using rapid prototyping and microcontrollers for performing different robotic applications. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2010.