13.2: Designing a Battery Clip

 

There are 10 design videos to walk the student through the design and modeling of a 7.2V battery clip for the Clawbot.   This battery clip will be integrated into the Clawbot assembly.  Click on the title of each section to review the content in the video.  Pause, rewind, fast forward and stop features are available as the student reviews the content.   The workflow in these videos includes:

  • Creating a new sketch
  • Extruding the sketch to model the base
  • Modeling the clips that retain the battery
  • Adding holes in the base for attachment to the frame
  • Engraving text on the surface of the battery holder 

Overview

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In this video, all the key phases to design and model the battery holder in the Autodesk Inventor software will be reviewed.   Modeling the robot in Autodesk Inventor consists of assembling parts from the virtual kit of parts library. The key phases in the required workflow are reviewed in this overview video.

Video 1: Create a New Part and Sketch

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In this video, students start a new part file and create a sketch of the base.   A new part file is created and the 2D sketch of the battery base is created. The sketch is extruded and a second extrusion is created around the perimeter of the base.

Video 2: Model the Battery Clip

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In this video, the students will sketch and extrude a battery clip.  Based on the design sketch, a 2D sketch of the battery clip is created. The sketch is fully constrained using geometric and dimensional constraints.

Video 3: Mirror the Battery Clips

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In this video, the students will mirror the battery clip.   A second battery clip is quickly created using the Mirror command. Using a similar workflow, the ends of the battery holder are modeled.

Video 4: Add the Holes

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In this video, the students add holes to the battery holder.  To assemble the battery holder to the robot, two mounting holes are added.

Video 5: Engrave the Battery Holder

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In this video, the students will engrave text on the surface of the battery holder. To customize the design, text is added to the battery holder using the Engrave command.

Video 6: Assemble the Battery Holder

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In this video, the students will assemble the battery and battery holder.   With the battery holder design completed, the 7.2 volt battery is constrained to the holder. The design is reviewed to ensure that there is no interference between the battery and the holder.

Video 7: Assemble the Battery Holder to the Robot

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In this video, the students will place the battery holder assembly in the main robot assembly.  The battery holder assembly is bolted to the robot frame using two cap screws and nuts.

Video 8: Document the Part

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In this video, the students will create a drawing of the battery holder.  A request is received for documentation of the part. A new drawing is created and five views of the part are created including three orthographic views, an isometric view, and a section view of the battery clip. Annotation is added to each view and the title block.

Summary

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In this video, the student will review the key phases required to design and model a custom designed battery holder.  To design and model the battery holder, the workflow consists of the following:

  • Creating a new sketch
  • Extruding the sketch to model the base
  • Modeling the clips that retain the battery
  • Adding holes in the base for attachment to the frame
  • Engraving text on the surface of the battery holder

Want to try more projects based on VEX robots and other exciting challenges? Click the link to access the Autodesk Digital Steam Workshop.

www.autodesk.com/digitalsteam