Junior Robocup: Reprints 'Light Sabres'

The Black Lego Pin is clearly visible.

Robot 'Jedi' with Light Sabre

In a previous post we detailed the 'light sabres' that students had been built as a prop for the 'Junior Robocup' Competition involving EV3/NXT Lego Robots.

The initial print was successful, although so the students thought, however testing from the students concluded that the gap in the base of the light sabre was not narrow enough to allow a tight robotic grip - hence the students were worried about the Light Sabres slipping during performance.  In the initial print the robot is grasping the light sabre around the handle (as can be viewed from the post).  In the amended version a black pin is linking the base of the light sabre which is inserted directly into the hands of the robot - allowing for a much tighter grip during the performance as during testing the first run did not hold the light sabre.

Changes since last print: The time has been amended to 45 minutes per print and the prints feature 0.45m of filament.   The printables are fully paintable however the students are confident given the colour of the filament is suitable to give the desired effect.  All other details remain the same from the initial print.

Junior Robocup Props - Part Two

The Four Turtle Shells off the printer

Challenge: Create a high quality prop to enhance the students performance in the Junior Robocup.
Background: Students have EV3 Lego Robots for competition.  The groups of three to four students have three robots to move and interact with a theme as part of robotic dance theatre.  A key part of the performance is the costume for the competitors and the costumes - for both the students and the robots.  Traditionally the props for the robots have been made from material such as cardboard and paper.  By using the 3D printer it is possible for the students to produce more high quality costume pieces for the

The three smaller shells mounted on the bugs

robots.  The parts themselves cannot be manufactured as this is against the rules of the competition.
Task: As part of this group of students they have a role assigned to a turtle.  They had build a robot to play the role of the turtle however they used the 3D Printer to create the shell for the turtle and for three smaller turtles for the performance.
Level of Difficulty:  Medium.   The smaller turtle shells worked perfectly.  The larger shell had to be refined.  As noted with a previous post the programming for the robots had already been completed therefore the props were limited to their role and size. Issues: The larger shell was not successfully be able to mounted at this time and needs to be sanded or refined so it able to be used in conjunction with the robotic performance.
Size: The smaller shells were 5cm long and 2cm wide.  The larger object was 20cm by 15cm.

Time Frame: Forty hours for the print of all four objects.
Process: The students Y8 designed the turtle shells as part of the process using Tinkercad.  They specifically searched for a pre-created turtle shell created on Tinkercad and then used that as a basis to design the three smaller shells.   The time frame (three weeks until the competition) meant that the students wanted to minimise the production time.  The photograph to the right shows the shell attempted to be mounted on the robot (which was unsuccessful) a further front to the shell is required to complete the major design features of the turtle shell.  As previously stated these are some of the first attempts to integrate the 3D Printers with the Junior Robocup creations and designs.  It is anticipated that this will create a raft of new creations had the timeframe been more flexible then a considerable number of designs and ideas using 3D Printers would have been created.

Making Props for the Junior Robocup

Above: Light Sabre Design

Learning Challenge: Create high quality props by 3D Printing for students use with their Junior Robocup competition entries.
Background: The school regularly competes in the Junior Robocup competition, including being the 2014 New Zealand and Australian Champions.  As part of their theatre competition the students integrate theatre and robotic performance.  A key part of this is the use of 'props' which previous have been made from materials such as cardboard.  Using the 3D Printers allowed the students to create more high end props for their performance.  Allowing the use of design to create parts to integrate - although students are forbidden from manufacturing actual robotic parts for use with the robots who would be disqualified if they did so, restricting the 3D Printing to creating props.
Task: Students in this robotic performance group have a 'Star Wars' themed act and performance and wanted to use the 3D printers to create the light sabres for use in the performance.

Above: The EV3 Robot with 'Light Sabre'

Level of Difficulty: Low the creation was consisting of two basic shapes and a button.
Issues: The size of the robots dictated the size of the light sabre - the students couldn't create a longer version of the light sabre because it would interfere with the arms movements that had been programme into it.  This was the first print run for the object and the students were very pleased with the results.
Time Frame: The print was completed on 'fast' settings and took 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Size: 2-3cm in diameter and 12cm in length.
Process: The Y8 students in the class (12 and 13 year olds) had a specific prop in mind to enhance their robots performance - having designed the 'Light Sabre' the process was limited by the programming that had already been in place for the movement of the light sabre.  Therefore the length of it was limited (as a longer blade would have interfered with the current programming of the hands of the robot for the performance).   The competition is in three weeks the prop part has been completed last (with the programming of the robot the main focus).  These students are the first time to utilize the 3D Printing possible to enhance the performance.  If the past is anything to go by this will have an energising affect on other groups who will then produce increasing complex designs for props.  The greatest limiting factor will be the timeframe and the programming of the robots prior with the design coming last.  One would anticipate that the 3D Printers will be used from the start of the process in future with increasing complex props.