Project Details
[Return to Previous Page]End of the Arm Tool (EoAT) for a robotic concrete 3D printing system
Company: PSU College of Arts and Architecture 2
Major(s):
Primary: IE
Secondary: ME
Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO
Intellectual Property: NO
Project Overview: The project focuses on the comprehensive redesign and fabrication of the End of the Arm Tool (EoAT) for a robotic concrete 3D printing system. The existing EoAT comprised a metal pipe as a nozzle, an aluminum extension arm with brackets and screws holding the nozzle in place, and a metal plate connecting the tool to the robot flange. There are specific design issues with the current EoAT setup. Improvements are planned for the tool-robotic arm connection, particularly concerning the integration of a tool changer. Moreover, the extension arm's joints are now more likely to loosen, jeopardizing the tool's stability and reducing print accuracy. Additionally, the brackets holding the pipe in place are covered in concrete and crumbled, making the pipe unstable and occasionally causing it to slide while printing. The proposed redesign should address these problems, emphasizing stability, ease of assembly and disassembly, and low maintenance. The objective is to develop a more reliable and steady End of Arm Tool (EoAT) that can endure frequent use, makes cleaning concrete and water damage prevention more manageable, and integrates seamlessly with the existing robotic concrete 3D printing system. This project offers a unique opportunity to enhance the efficiency and reliability of robotic concrete 3D printing by addressing critical design flaws in the End of the Arm Tool design, combining technical analysis, financial justification, and prototyping within a 15-week semester timeframe. Deliverables: 1. Documentation of existing nozzle designs: Study different nozzle designs used in concrete 3D printing and identify the advantages and disadvantages of each design. 2. Redesigned EoAT Prototype: Develop a new design based on the preliminary studies and fabricate a fully functional prototype of the redesigned End of the Arm Tool that incorporates improvements in stability, ease of assembly, and resistance to wear. This prototype will serve as a tangible representation of the enhanced design. 3. Detailed Technical Analysis: Provide a comprehensive technical analysis of the redesigned EoAT, highlighting improvements and their impact on stability, accuracy, and overall performance. Include documentation (3D models and 2D drawings) of the redesigned tool, connection mechanism, and joint stability and durability features. 4. Financial Justification Report: Present a detailed financial justification for the redesign project, outlining the anticipated costs and potential savings through increased efficiency. This report will help assess the economic viability of implementing the redesigned EoAT. 5. User Manual and Maintenance Guide: Develop a user manual that provides clear instructions for assembling, disassembling, and operating the redesigned EoAT. Additionally, create a maintenance guide that outlines best practices for cleaning and preserving the tool to ensure longevity. 6. Integration with Existing System: Demonstrate the seamless integration of the redesigned EoAT with the current robotic concrete 3D printing system. Verify its compatibility and functionality within the existing setup through successful printing tests. 7. Presentation and Documentation: Prepare a comprehensive presentation summarizing the project, including design considerations, improvements implemented, and outcomes. Produce detailed documentation covering the entire redesign process, from conceptualization to prototype development.
