Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Civil/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering
Session: 2
Kevin Huang - University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez
Co-Author(s): Wilfredo Nieves, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, Mayaguez; Mauricio Cabrera, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, Mayaguez
A MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer is nowadays a common sight in many Engineering academic departments. Affordable and conveniently sized, it helps demonstrate the capabilities of 3D printing in modest projects of homogenous static parts made out of polylactic acid (PLA). In this work, the aim is to challenge the capabilities of the printer to create (i) multicolor parts, (ii) net shape parts with movable components that do not require any assembly, and (iii) composite parts with heterogeneous materials. Objects with multicolored and movable parts were created in a single print, a knife prototype was manufactured with the combination of PLA handle and a steel blade, and a prototype for an electric fan’s body was designed to fit the motor, battery, and its contacts. This sequence of projects demonstrates how complexity can arise from simple manufacturing processes to improve the capability-to-affordability ratio. The integration of the techniques was accomplished through the replication and simplification of a trap for mosquitoes. The original design comes from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and it includes a light to lure mosquitoes, an electric fan for specimen suction, an entrapment net, and a cylindrical encasing. The resulting design and the 3D-printed prototype require considerably fewer fasteners and part components, and thus, less assembly effort. In fact, the bulge of this system was created in a single print. These techniques result indeed in enhanced capabilities for a simple 3D printer that allow approaching real problems, such as pest control as demonstrated here.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): USDA-NIFA Award 2015-38422-24064 sub award 1000000920. BE AWARE Project.
Faculty Advisor: Mauricio Cabrera, mauricio.cabrera@gmail.com
Role: Provided the ideas for design, created most of the designs, conducted most of the printing and testing.