Hardware

Laser cutter

A relatively easy to use machine that uses a laser to cut materials. All MDF and Plexiglas parts of the robot were created by this machine. Since the machine is very fast , it’s great for prototyping. Parts were drawn in Inventor 2014 and saved as DXF files.

Makerbot Peplicator 2X

An affordable and capable 3D printer. There are 8 Makerbots available at the Fablab. The Makerbots are perfect for simple shapes and components. A more upmarket 3D printer, the Dimension is also available. The main advantage of the Dimension printer is that it has a second support material which allows the printing of more complex parts.

To fully understand what was done, some background knowledge is required, including

some basics in mechanics and electronics. Lasercutters, 3D Printers, a PCB etching

machine and all kind of software helped to make this robot. In what follows is a short

list of the software programs and the machines used in the creation of this robot.

Protomat 95S/II Printed Circuit Board Milling Machine with

Automatic Tool Changer

This machine can create single-sided circuit boards. It mills the conductive paths, drills the component holes, and cuts out the shape of the board.

PCB Etching Toolchain

Easier than milling the circuit board is to etch them. By doing this there is no need of any complicated software. The process includes the use of a UV lightbox, a development bath and an etching tank. Afterwards, the component holes will be have to drilled in.