Abstract:

3D printing technology allows simple and fast production of technical components. It can be easily used for manufacturing testing prototypes and for components with a special inner composition. Different types of plastic materials can be used thanks to the possibilities of FDM (fused deposition modelling) printers. Designed parts are usually verified by FEM (finite element method) analysis. The technical components to be printed must meet the requirements of the production technology, material properties and also the ecological aspects. 3D printing technology is used here by students in student developmental projects.

A student developmental project starts systematically from the designing of a 3D model then is followed by FEM analyses and manufacturing of prototypes by 3D printers. 3D printing is the easiest method to use for student projects from the point of view of manufacturing technology. In this case, the paper focuses on a student's development of gripper components for robotic manipulators. Individual stages of the student project are thoroughly described in the paper. An example of grippers designed by a student are then used to demonstrate the work of robotic manipulators.

Keywords:

3D printing, gripper, student project.