Tesla Snake Arm v2

By UltiErik

74
3
Free
It's free to download
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Tesla Snake Arm v2

By UltiErik

74
3
Free
It's free to download

Information

Tesla Snake Arm v2

By UltiErik

at 2024-05-03
For a long time, I've wanted to automate the plugging in of my electric car. When I saw Juan had already started designing a snake arm that resemble's the one Tesla is prototyping, I thought, why not give it a try. My car is already being charged by open source electronics, but this project just seemed like to much fun and too interesting not to do it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsQ8BQwc5wwI'm planning on using computer vision with an off the shelf component called "Pixy" CMUcam5 and have it recognize the position and rotation of color codes. Little pairs of stickers that need to appear in the right place before the final insertion is executed.Changes compared to the original by Juan Sirgado y Antico (link: www.thingiverse.com/thing:959891) - Made snakebody() more parametric - The 3 cables need a more smooth path to move properly - Removed a lot of "flesh" from the model - Made the ball joint neck a bit smaller so it can have a bigger hole on the inside without sacrificing strength.

Technical

- Print the snake_body parts at 2x scale, as many as you need to create the right length - Add Pixy CMUcam5 if you want to add simple computer vision.

Comments

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gschrang
gschrang
over 8 years
Have you tried using magnets in a sleeve for the joints instead of ball joints. No friction (ie. + on +) between sections. Only pulling the string to collapse the corners.... Just a thought.
UltiErik
UltiErik
almost 9 years
I just used string to keep things together and simulate it by hand to see what kind of friction the servos would need to overcome. With the big ball joints it seems like it is not feasible, it has a lot of friction. Perhaps using just the (thick) power cord as a core and leaving out the ball&sockets would even give a better result! There is a popular servo design on YouMagine, b.t.w.
nbarker88
nbarker88
almost 9 years
How do you assemble it? Also, what kind of feedback mechanism is used to control the movements? It is a very interesting idea. Thanks for sharing.
UltiErik
UltiErik
about 9 years
Hi em3kay, I actually did print lots of them. See the picture in the timeline of the design or see this link: https://goo.gl/photos/KJ5dLQHzfFeZSvdX7
em3kay
em3kay
about 9 years
did you ever end up scaling this one up? to work with your car? looks good
cyclone
cyclone
over 9 years
I love the quick eager to please action you are giving it. I'd love to see an animation with this little guy meeting Luxo Jr. Very nice to see this thing printed, can't wait for the servo control to be added.

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Joined almost 12 years ago Tilburg, the Netherlands

Erik is long time 3D printing fanatic, has been an early RepRap contributor and is one of the co-founders Ultimaker BV. He created YouMagine while at Ultimaker. YouMagine is no longer an Ultimaker-owned platform, but Erik continues to develop and impr...

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