Grade 10 Passion Project 2023-24

My project is a remote controlled 5-Motor Arm using Lego Mindstorm parts and technology, and 3-D printed parts. Control this arm with the gyro hand controller and ev3 buttons.

 

Poster board with all info explaining my project:

 

 

5-Motor Arm demo:

 

 

 

 

 

Student Check-Ins

Step 1: Research and Proposal 

Teacher Advisor Check-In #1 – Date: March 1st

  • Brief project proposal:
    • I want to make a 4-motor robot manipulator arm that is remote controlled. First Prototype will be made out of Lego.
  • Required materials and/or equipment:
    • Lego Mindstorms 51515 Robot Inventor Kit, phone, 3D printers, etc.
    • Approximate cost: $0-50
    • Approximate amount of time: 70-80 hours.
  • Digital and/ or paper filling system (how are you going to organize your work?):
    • Writing down my check-In dates and progress in my learning log on paper, checking a calendar and planning ahead of what I will work on.
  • What I need from my teacher advisor to be successful? Questions:
    • Access to a 3D printer and laser cutter, advice for engineering, Arduino motors (maybe).
  • Community mentor(s):

Teacher Advisor Feedback: Find a mentor in the community, Personalize Learning log duo tang.

 Step 2: Building

Teacher Advisor Check-In #2 – Date: April 3rd

  • Have you gathered all your materials? If not, what are you still missing?
    • I have gathered all my materials, I need to print the 3D printed parts  for my next prototype after I build it.
  • Briefly describe what you have started building so far.
    • I finished building and coding my first Lego prototype.
  • What adjustments (if any) have you made to your original plan?
    • I thought of a new idea for where I will place my motors as the joints of my next prototype. I might add a fifth motor.

Teacher Advisor Feedback: Great start by using an online version as an inspirational prototype, look forward to seeing your own version.

Check-In #2 Reflection (DUE NEXT MEETING):

Think about the building process.

  • What is going right?
    • I have finished and took apart my Lego prototype, have half of my information for my presentation, and have an idea of how to build my next prototype.
  • What is going wrong?
    • Nothing.
  • What adjustments (if any) have you made to your original plan?
    • I have a new Idea of how to build my next prototype.
  • Describe some ways that your teacher advisor can help support you in the coming weeks.
    • Let me have access to the 3D printers, sticker cutter, and maybe some Lego mindstorm Ev3 parts.

Step 3: Project Creation

Teacher Advisor Check-In #3 – Date: April 17th

  • Have you created all the physical components of your project? (i.e. prototype, model, program)

          If not, what do you still need to do, and what is your plan to complete it?

    • I still need to make a fully functional prototype of my design. I need to fix the claw motor and code the second lift motor.
  • What parts of your poster board have you started to put together?
    • I don’t have a poster board, I planned out what I want to add in the Check-In #3 Reflection. I have my information in a PowerPoint.

Teacher Advisor Feedback: Cool Robot Arm! Get second lift motor working, fasten the base, maybe? Or add a counterweight.

Check-In #3 Reflection:

  • Highlight the titles/sections you will use for your poster board.
    • Introduction, Research, Building Process, Materials used, Why I chose this Project, Conclusion, Future Directions (maybe).
  • Use the space below to plan and sketch your poster board.

 

Step 4: Revision and Refinement

Teacher Advisor Check-In #4 – Date: May 1st 

  • Have you revised or refined your project in any way since the last check-in? If so, describe the changes made.
    • I finished my own model and it works, but the fifth motor I added and coded is too weak to hold up the arm.
  • What parts of your poster have you started to put together?
    • I’m waiting to finish my project for all the info I want to add and structure on my poster, I will add PowerPoint info.

My Own Feedback: Ask my teacher advisor for a large ev3 motor. Get a poster board. 3-D print casing parts and ask Michel (University Student) to be my mentor.

 

Check-In #4 Reflection:

Make a to-do list of what you have left to complete before you are ready for the STEAM fair.

  • E-mail Michel to be my mentor after school.
  • Add the 3-D printed casing parts, modeled in fusion 360.
  • After finishing my project I will add my info to my posterboard.

Step 5: Final Project

Teacher Advisor Check-In #5

  • Have you completed all of the items on your to-do list? If not, what is left?
    • I still need to 3-D print and model my parts. (I stayed after school for this) I need to find a way to hold up the arm because the large motor can’t be coded to hold its position. (I added a back supporting leg and stoper at the front of the arm)
  • Describe in detail what you want to say to the public.
    • Do live demos of controlling my robot arm, showing capabilities and pointing them out. Let others try the arm. Have a video on loop of the process when not at my station. Be ready to answer questions by using info from the poster (challenges, process)

Teacher Advisor Feedback: None.