Cobotics project
Transforming a Universal Robot into a 3D Printer.
YEAR
ADVISORS
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COOPERATION
SOFTWARES & TOOLS USED
RoboDK
3D Print & Scan
Fusion 360
The project aimed to repurpose a UR10 robot as a 3D printer by integrating a custom nozzle for precise extrusion. The endeavour involved various tasks such as 3D modelling, running simulations with RoboDK, and exploring integration options for the nozzle. These efforts aimed to optimise the printing process, considering material efficiency and structural integrity.
Design process
Aiming to convert the UR10 robot into a 3D printer, a key aspect of our workflow involved attaching custom tools to the robot axis. We simulated this process using RoboDK following these steps
1. Using Fusion 360, we ensured that our custom 3D printer nozzle had a correct orientation to facilitate proper attachment to the robot and ensure an accurate extrusion. We positioned the attaching touchpoint at the coordinates 0,0,0 within the modelling environment.
2. Exporting as STL: Once the 3D printer nozzle design and orientation were revised and finalized, we exported it as an STL file to maintain compatibility with RoboDK while preserving the necessary geometric information required for accurate attachment and printing.
3. Nesting under Robot Component: To establish the connection between the 3D printer nozzle and the robot arm, we nested the imported tool design under the robot component, to ensure RoboDK attaches the tool automatically.
4. Following this setup, we conducted thorough simulations within RoboDK to test the functionality and compatibility of the attached tool. These simulations allowed us to validate that the 3D printer nozzle was securely attached and capable of performing the required extrusion tasks accurately. We meticulously analyzed the interaction between the nozzle and the robot arm to ensure smooth operation and precise control during printing processes.
Once satisfied with the simulation results, we proceeded to the next stage of the workflow, which involved following a predefined toolpath for 3D printing.