# Rapid Prototyping: The Power of 3D Printing and Arduino - Savonia AMK

> Many companies face the problem of high engineering costs and long waiting times for projects with the fear of not knowing if the idea will work as thought.

## Overview
Many companies face the problem of high engineering costs and long waiting times for projects with the fear of not knowing if the idea will work as thought. Therefore, many companies are implementing more and more Rapid Prototyping. Rapid Prototyping allows for the creation of physical versions of ideas faster than manufacturing with complex milling processes, significantly reducing the detailing level required. 

At Savonia, utilizing eight 3D printers, we created multiple prototypes to find the best solutions for our application in nearly no time. Leveraging Savonia’s labs and our tutors’ knowledge, we developed a self-sufficient, working Gripping system capable of grabbing objects of various shapes and sizes.

## The Problem: Smart Factory Efficiency
The considerable variation of part shapes in our smart factory necessitated changing the gripping system for every part size and shape, leading to high maintenance work. We created a fully functional gripper that handles nearly any shape without changing the gripper form itself, allowing for implementation without maintenance issues. Currently, the project serves as a self-sufficient demonstration to validate the design before full-scale implementation.

## Project Components
We sketched ideas, combined them with previous experience, and optimized for minimal space. The system consists of five main components:

*   **The Guide rail / The base:** We iterated through multiple designs, reviewing possibilities until finding the best fit. We utilized CAD software for detailing and performed multiple test prints to ensure the printer’s resolution could realize the design. The final base features implemented linear gears, creating a solid structure that can be mounted to an industrial robot arm.
*   **Carrier with Implemented servo:** The carrier moves along the guide rail via a servo-driven gear combination. It includes a dedicated slot for the servo and retainers to hold the flexible grippers.
*   **Flexible Grippers:** One of the biggest challenges was working with flexible material. After numerous failed prints, we produced two flexible grippers made of TPU (Shore 95A hardness), designed to "hug" the objects they grab.
*   **Electrical conversion:** The system is self-sufficient, utilizing an Arduino board, two buttons, a potentiometer, LEDs, and the carrier servo. Future iterations aim to integrate this with the smart factory's SPS.
*   **Program and functionality:** Programmed in standard Arduino language, the system uses two buttons to open and close the grippers. A potentiometer allows the user to define the speed of the operation, while LEDs provide visual feedback during button presses.

## Outcome and Demonstration
The project resulted in a tangible product. 
*   **Video Link:** [3D Printing and Arduino UNO Prototyping – YouTube](https://www.youtube.com)

While the prototype is made of plastic and lacks the high-grade tolerances of milled parts, it was a complete success for our usage. It provides a proof-of-concept for how we can optimize workflows within our smart factory.

## Authors
*   **Robin Pressl:** pressl.robin@gmail.com
*   **Max Steinke:** steinkemx@googlemail.com
*   **Rajeev Kanth:** rajeev.kanth@savonia.fi