8:10: Modeling an Articulating Scoop

Testing of the scoop bucket prototype has determined that it is difficult to control the motion of the scoop. The direct drive mechanism from the motor to the lock bar is moving too quickly and the robot operator is having difficulty scooping up the game object. To resolve this design problem, a gear drive is designed and tested using Autodesk Inventor software. 

In this project, there are seven videos including the Overview and Summary. To use the videos, click the link and review the content.  Pause, rewind, fast forward, and stop features are available as the student reviews the content.  The workflow in these videos includes:

  • Modifying the scoop bucket frame.
  • Modeling the driveshaft assembly.
  • Modeling a gear assembly.
  • Animating the assembly.

Overview:

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In this video, students will review the key phases required to design and model a gear assembly to drive the scoop bucket.  To resolve a design issue with the motion of the scoop bucket, the frame is redesigned and a gear drivetrain is created.

Video 1: Model a Spur Gear Assembly

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In this video, students will review how a spur gear assembly is created using Autodesk Inventor design accelerators.   Standard mechanical parts such as shafts, gears, v-belts, and bearings are easily modeled and inserted into an assembly using design accelerators. In this project, the workflow to create a spur gear assembly is shown.

Note - The files required for this activity must be downloaded. Please select the data set which matches the version of Autodesk Inventor will be used for this activity. Unzip these files and save them a new project folder called Manipulator.

Inventor 2011 - Imperial.zip

Inventor 2012 - Imperial.zip

Inventor 2013 - Imperial.zip

Inventor 2011 -Metric.zip

Inventor 2012 - Metric.zip

Inventor 2013 - Metric.zip

Video 2: Model a Spur Gear Assembly

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In this video, students will modify the existing scoop bucket assembly.  To accommodate the gear drivetrain, the scoop bucket frame is modified. A new frame member is added and two shafts with shaft collars are placed in the assembly.

Video 3: Assemble the Gears

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In this video, students will place the gears in the assembly.  The initial gear drivetrain consists of a 12-tooth gear and a 36-tooth gear. The gears are placed in the assembly, constrained to the driveshafts, and the gear teeth are aligned.

Video 4: Complete the Gear Assembly

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In this video, students will add bearing flats and bearing pop rivets to complete the gear assembly.  To hold the shafts in place, bearing flats and shaft collars are placed in the assembly.

Video 5: Add the Motor and Animate the Assembly

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In this video, the motor is added to the shaft and the gear assembly is checked to make sure it is rotating correctly.  With the gear drivetrain in place, the original motor is placed in the assembly and constrained to the driveshaft. Checks are made on the rotation of the gears and shafts. When all parts are rotating correctly, an animation is created by driving an angle constraint.

Summary:

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In the video, students will Review the key phases required to design and model a gear assembly to drive the scoop bucket. To resolve a design issue with the motion of the scoop bucket, the frame is redesigned and a gear drivetrain is created.

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

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