UPDATED with photos - with apologies, but I cannot edit my own post as I’ve left it too long. Please see previous post for full detail/ explanation, supporting documentation of the student project + examples of the student solutions as part of their presentations.
3D printing has been a key enabler as cost pressures are incredibly tight and each teams kit cost needs to be minimised - target of £40 per team. 3D printing all parts of the robot enables this to be achievable.
The biggest reason this competition would help for me, is that in September I have taken a job at a new local school and whilst I hope to continue the project, unfortunately I won’t have the same access to 3D printers at my new school so winning a K2 Plus Combo or Ender-3 V3 would transform my ability to continue and develop the project. Top of my list of developments would be new wheels (with an indent for an elastic band) and a redesigned two part snap fit chassis. I’ve already changed to analogue IR sensors and would also wish to look at a most to a Pico Pi from the current Arduino (but not 3D printing related).
**2. The K1 Max is currently discounted in the back to school sale to £639 in the UK (£859 at full price) **
- Forum post here - Photos and a short video are now included. Note that the video is from an early testing phase without the solar panel (later ones appear too large to upload).
Robot with solar panel and sensors as per final target (note students to design own solar panel mounts + IR sensor mounts - these were my test ones for proof of concept)
Solar panel removed to show the insides + solar panel mounts in more detail
Top of chassis removed to show more detail of insides
Example of the proof of concept solar panel asymmetric mount - see student presentations for their solutions.
Example of testing the robot to check it was feasible to program to follow a line - with analogue sensors.
- I’ve posted the STL of the standardised chassis (with friction fit lid) to the Creality Cloud in case anyone is interested and/ or wants to use. I also include a pdf of the project briefing document below and some examples of the student submissions that have been received in this trial year - again comments and feedback welcome.
Posted Creality Cloud (STL files provided) -Engineering challenge chassis v3 (friction fit) + … From user5681115635 Engineering challenge chassis v3 (friction fit) + mounts | 3D models download | Creality Cloud
I’d welcome any questions, thoughts, feedback or development suggestions.**