Sharpie Lifter and Syringe Actuator
Conception
This was a quick project I worked on to obtain practice with lead screws and stepper motors for precise motor control. The original intention of this project was as a progression to the 2D and 3D projects. I wanted to play with alternative designs for a simple system to raise and lower an object: The sharpie for the 2D plotter, and a syringe plunger for design practice and potential down-the-line applications for a 2D cookie decoration machine.
Prototyping and Results
The overall project was a success, but still left room for continued improvement. The sharpie connector worked well, but the physical mechanism lacked long-term durability due to the gear component on the sharpie being made as a hot glue mold. The syringe similarly worked; however, the physical print component of it, and design could be further improved. The print itself came out slightly warped due to a bed temperature error and adhesion issue. I eventually determined that I was going to focus on the sharpie lifter as my 2D testing application, and across multiple iterations, was able to significantly reduce overall plastic use.
