Robotics & Mechatronics 2: 3D Modelling & Machine Design

Design a mini turntable to distribute and accumulate bottles on a production line, assembling the disc, barriers, motors, shaft couplers, shaft, and frame to create a machine from scratch.

Design the turntable body with 20x20 mm aluminium sigma profiles in Fusion 360, select McMaster-Carr components, obtain a 3D step model, and create 60 mm piece by measuring and extruding.

Create and rename four parts by extruding to exact lengths (60, 100, 250, 310 mm) and assign them as separate components. Prepare a turntable assembly with these parts for export.

Assemble the frame by aligning edges and joints, placing the base and ground, and connecting edges at edge midpoints, then add a support on the motor-heavy side for balance.

Design a motor holder by sketching a 50x50 mm base with a 2 mm thickness and two perpendicular plates, featuring four 3 mm screw holes.

Design and edit a motor by adjusting a 3 mm circle, extruding a 37.4 mm body and 12 mm shaft, and drilling 3 mm screw holes.

Design a coupler to connect a shaft and disc by sketching a 10 mm outer circle, drilling a 5 mm hole, then extruding and patterning four 3 mm holes.

Design a 27 cm disc in 3d, extrude to 3 mm, and assemble with holes, couplers, motor holder, and frame to model a mini turntable using metal or printed parts.

Design a barrier component in CAD with a bottle-clearance passage, extruded to 35 mm, trimmed, and prepared for mounting with three aluminum bars and screws to the turntable and conveyor.

Export the turn table assembly to Unity by creating three components (frame, disk, barrier), exporting each as STL, converting to FBX in Blender, and setting origins for proper rotation.

Create a jar with a 3 cm diameter and 6 cm height, consisting of a body and cap, using revolve to form the 3d shape and add simple threading.

Export 3D models with textures by saving as an object file, then exporting an FBX with embedded textures to preserve materials in Unity and Blender.

Explore single axis linear guides for accurate motion with servos and a d8 lead screw, moving eight millimeters per rotation; build frames, rail guides, bearings, and motors with libraries.

Design a single-axis rail guide frame from an aluminium profile, extend to 300 mm, install a 14 mm linear guide and carriage, align, and color the aluminium blue.

Install a motorized lead screw to move the carriage along the rail and align the parts to form a single axis rail guide using an m8 300 mm screw.

Assemble the lower profile, linear guide, and cartridge to establish precise measurements for end bearings and the screw housing, align parts, and set a slider joint with controlled limits.

Convert a 25 by 25 profile to 20 by 20 using scale and extrusion, then configure joints and a slider on the x axis with motion limits and aluminium appearance.

Identify eight millimeter bearings by bore diameter, compare options (608, 688z), assess market availability, and design the bearing housing in Fusion 360.

Design a bearing housing with a 16 mm bore. Add 0.1–0.5 mm clearance for 3d printing and drill the hole. Align the bearing to the motor shaft with a rigid joint.

Design bearing housing on a 20x20 aluminium profile by drilling two 5.2 mm holes for M5 screws, aligning centers, and assembling screws, nuts, and channel nuts.

Design a brass nut house by centering a 50 mm cube, aligning it with the carriage, and drilling precise holes for m3 screws, with optional insert nuts.

Learn to adjust part heights and refine assembly alignment by editing features and sketches, using the history timeline to adjust extrude operations and align ports precisely.

Duplicate the bearing holder to the opposite side, design a motor holder for a Nema 17, align screws and shafts, and assemble with a motor coupler.

Add a motor coupler in 3d modeling, selecting a flexible eight-by-six coupler for a six millimeter motor shaft and eight millimeter lead screw, then assemble, align, and verify revolute motion.

Duplicate and position screws and nuts to assemble the linear guide with rigid joints, color components blue, white, and black, and render a view to compare sizes for 3D printing.

Add a rejection piston to a single-axis system by mounting a frame for the piston and tray on the carriage to push a filled tray away in packaging lines.

Shows a use case where a nut holder's tray travels with a single axis linear guide, and a pneumatic rejection piston pushes filled boxes onto a conveyor.

Design a forward-extending tray with precise dimensions, burying screw heads for stability, and drill a two-level M3 hole system to ensure a flush fit and smooth assembly.

Design pistons by selecting a 100-199mm stroke and 16mm bore, configuring extension and retraction with compressed air, and mounting with aluminum profiles and air inlet/outlet connections.

Design a frame to hold a piston using aluminium profiles, add circular holes, and assemble a piston holder with M5 screws for a secure, integrated mechanism.

Design a single-axis linear guide driven by a timing belt, with two pulleys and a motor for bidirectional belt movement in pick-and-place and cutting applications.

Design a timing belt linear guide mounted on a 20x20 aluminum extrusion frame, with motor and pulley holders, using a GT2 pulley for the belt.

assemble a timing belt linear CAD component by inserting an M5 socket head screw into the poly screw, forming a pulley holder and joints for a rotating shaft.

Design a wheeled carriage in CAD by selecting a slide mount and rail, fitting four wheels with GT2 belt slots, and mounting a Nema 17 motor aligned to the pulley.

Align and duplicate motor components in a linear CAD design, create a motor holder, and model a timing belt with precise hole placements and tolerances for 3D printing.

Model the GT2 belt by forming two 10 mm circles connected for a 1.38 mm thickness and extruding 6 mm; teeth are not modeled, and mount with screws.

Design a one-axis timing-belt linear system by modeling a motorized carriage with screws, aluminum profiles, and a frame, then explore pick-and-place concepts with a piston and vacuum.

Design a three-axis pick-and-place machine with vacuum end effector, including couplers and frames. Explore applications in 3D printers, CNC machines, and how the design migrates to other configurations.

Design a three-axis linear motion system by integrating two nema 17 motors, motor holders, bearings, double aluminum profiles, linear guides, lead screws, and nut housings, with limit switches for precision.

Design a modular frame using aluminum sigma profiles to form base, extrusions, and top for a 30 by 30 cm workspace, about 20 cm tall, and assemble with joints.

Design and assemble aluminium frame corners using corner T-slot accessories and gussets, create a frame connectors component to group nuts and screws, and align and join edges with assembly joints.

Design the x-axis for the three xs linear motion project by creating an extrusion-based component, sizing to 147.6, joining into a single frame, and planning duplication for the second axis.

Design and assemble the x-axis rail guide by selecting a 12 mm corrosion-resistant rail, aligning, using an extrude cut to fit, drilling holes for M3 screws, and grounding the frame.

Attach the x axis carriage by installing the rail connector and 12 mm cartridges, assemble on the lower face, and set motion to a slider with min and max limits.

Design the x-axis noteholder and bearing and motor holders within a 40x40 mm frame, align centers, and thread four 3 mm holes to accommodate the lead screw.

Explain how to create threaded holes and assemble a nut holder in a 3D model by applying isometric right-hand threads, repeating threads, and integrating a T8 nut with holes.

Create the x-axis bearing holder as a new component, sketch a 22 mm bearing hole, extrude seven millimetres, drill six and three millimetre screw holes, and assemble the bearing.

Design the x-axis assembly by selecting screws (m6, m4, m3), verifying hole diameters, adjusting to 4.7 mm, assembling via joints, duplicating components, and preparing a motor holder.

Create the x axis motor holder as a new component, align a Nema 17 motor with the bearing housing, sketch the shaft, add screws, and finalize the assembly.

Duplicate and assemble screws and joints to complete the motor holder, then design a five-by-eight motor coupler for the shaft and add the lead screw, creating a dedicated component.

Create a lead screw for the x-axis, import an 8 mm by 300 mm McMaster rod, align, ground, and apply joints for rotation; duplicate the first x-axis and prepare materials.

Color the x-axis parts with blue aluminium and red aluminium, hide long motor cables, and duplicate to form the opposite side.

Copy and align the x axis by grounding components, duplicating brackets and corners, rotating parts, and assembling joints to form two parallel linear guides ready for the x axis.

Duplicate components with joints to assemble the x-axis note holder, place M3 screws in the carriage, rename parts, and check clearance before connecting the y axis.

Design and align the y axis by modeling the frame with aluminium extrusions, drill 3.5 mm holes 20 mm apart to align with channels, and secure with m3 carriage screws.

Define the xy working area by sketching a spanning rectangle on the frame surface, adding a 5.2 mm clearance circle and 10 mm margins, then extruding for M5 screw holes.

Design the z axis by duplicating a y axis linear guide, orienting it 90 degrees, aligning in views, and shortening from 30 cm to 15 cm.

Shrink the z axis frame, screw lead, and guides by 150; delete screws; reposition the carriage and nut holder; use extrude cuts to connect z axis to the y axis.

Design a z axis connector to join the z axis with the y axis, add holes, screws, and threads, and assemble a three-axis pick-and-place setup with an end effector.

Design a vacuum gripper for pick and place by modeling a vacuum cup and its mount, selecting an M5 threaded connector from McMaster, and assembling the end effector.

Design a vacuum pick-and-place mount by defining the end effector pivot, sketching and extruding the mount, threading holes for m3 screws, and aligning with a limit sensor.

Design a flat belt conveyor system with cylindrical pulleys, shafts, belt, and motor, and explore belt tensioners, snap rings, and motor couplers with detailed design considerations.

Design a real flat belt conveyor frame with drive and idler pulleys, motor, and aluminum extrusions. Set belt width to 8 cm and length to 60 cm.

Create four aluminum extrusion legs for a frame, resize and cut parts, and assemble them using as-built joints to prepare pulleys and bearing holders.

Design idler pulleys by selecting a 25 mm outer, 22 mm inner aluminium cylinder to fit an 8 mm shaft and 608 Z bearings, aligned with the belt holder.

Design bearing holders for a shaft-driven pulley system, extending the shaft, adding holes for bearings, screws for alignment, and a tensioning handle to calibrate belt tension.

Frame a tensioner design by selecting M5 screws around 14–15 mm and fitting a bearing holder, plus an M6 threaded push screw. Use sketches and measurements to guide assembly.

Iteratively design and assemble a tensioner system, adjusting dimensions and pivot points, acquiring a fully threaded M6 screw, and fixing shafts and pulleys to achieve proper belt tension and alignment.

Secure the shaft and pulley with eight millimeter snap rings, then mill a one millimeter groove to seat them firmly.

Design and assemble a drive pulley and motor holder, duplicating bearing blocks and aligning the pulley with the shaft. Weld the pulley to the shaft to couple them.

Build a Nema17 motor mount and motor holder, shorten the shaft, align and assemble the motor with screws, bearing, and washers, and prepare the belt-driven conveyor.

Designing a motor belt by sketching two circles 1 mm apart, extruding a 1 mm thick belt between drive pulleys, trimming, and adjusting tension and alignment.

Explore texturing by applying metal finishes to a conveyor belt design, colorizing aluminium in blue, red, and white, and considering practical belt components and basic motor anatomy.

Design modular belts for food and the drinking industry by assembling plastic plates joined by pins, driven by gears on a motor shaft, and integrating ready-made parts from scratch.

Assemble aluminum extrusions and plates to build a modular belt frame. Import gear and plates, set a one-meter conveyor length, and space frames for pins with gear and shaft integration.

Build a belt by linking plates with pins and aligning them for assembly. Design pins with heads, fit clips on the other side, and duplicate pins to repeat the process.

Create a belt design by patterning plates and pins, using rectangular pattern along an axis, duplicating and adjusting gaps across top, front, and bottom views.

Learn to design a belt system by modeling interlocking gears and plates, aligning frames, and adjusting pivots to achieve a functional, dangling plate belt assembly.

Add and align a gear with the belt, rotate and connect parts, and create new components to organize the frame for belt-driven mechanism.

Measure and design with aluminium extrusion profiles to assemble a frame, duplicate components, align legs, and use a double extrusion strategy to keep channels parallel.

Design a bearing holder for a 10 mm shaft, selecting a 6000 bearing with 26 mm outer diameter and 8 mm width, and position M5 screw holes for secure mounting.

Design a shaft for a conveyor by sketching and extruding components, including two shafts and snap rings to prevent movement. Explore 3D printing with 100% infill and plan bearing holders.

Design the bearing holder by cutting and extruding parts, then duplicate, rotate, and assemble in the front view. Add screws and finalize with the motor holder, motor, and motor coupler.

Design a NEMA 17 motor holder by aligning the shaft, forming bearing housings, and drilling four mounting holes for secure mounting. Explore a NEMA 23 alternative and coupling options.

Apply blue anodized aluminium to parts, add red to the holders, white to the pallets, and balance the belt through frame duplication, rotation, and cuts.

Save your 3D model, then export it as FBX to use in Unity. FBX is the format needed for Unity, whereas STL is for 3D printing.

Learn to export individual parts from a Fusion 360 design using derive, creating a separate file for 3d printing or unity import, and export as fbx or obj.

Master export techniques in Fusion 360, manage the free version’s ten-project limit, free space by deleting a project, and export as a Fusion 360 archive to save and reopen designs.

Import STL and OBJ files into Fusion 360 using insert mesh, then reverse engineer and convert the mesh to a body, cleaning faces for a smooth, parametric design.

Learn how to scale an imported STL model quickly by selecting the entire object, applying a scaling factor (for example 70%), and confirming the new dimensions.

Measure dimensions on imported STL files by sketching on a surface, drawing circles and lines, using a three-point circle, and applying the dimension tool to read lengths and diameters.

Explore digital twinning to bring your CAD designs into a Unity-based physical simulation, enabling pulleys, conveyors, barriers, and pick-and-place interactions to test real-world machine behavior.