Physics Gyroscope

thingiverse

In the challenge description, it said to design and 3-D print a project that will help kids learn in a classroom, so that's what I did. A gyroscope is a device consisting of a wheel or disk mounted so that it can spin rapidly about an axis that is itself free to alter in direction. Gyroscopes are commonly used for navigation systems, auto-pilot in planes, and stabilizers. In this gyroscope, there is a 3-D printed wheel with a diameter of five inches, and a thickness of three-quarters of an inch thick. In the center of the wheel, an axle is inserted and glued to the wheel. The motor, which is directly under the wheel, is pressed into the hole in the axle. In the box, the motor is fastened in by an extrusion. The motor fits snugly so that it will not shift and move. In the inner battery compartment, the battery box is stored (I used sticky Velcro to fasten the battery box to the side to prevent movement). On the side of the box, the on/off switch is snapped into the hole. The wires from the battery box and motor were soldered to the on/off switch, completing the circuit. Once turned on, the LED light on the switch will light up. Also, the wheel will begin spinning, eventually reaching approximately 5000 RPM. After everything is hooked up, the lid can be bolted onto the case. When the wheel gets to maximum speed, hold the box with the on/off switch facing upwards and turn the box clockwise or counterclockwise and feel the push for the wheel to level out. Remember, most of these parts are only plastic and are capable of getting cracked or broken, so use caution when bolting parts together and holding the project. *For a list of the non-printed parts that I used, check the parts list at the bottom of the page. Print Settings Printer Brand: Ultimaker Printer: Ultimaker 2 Rafts: No Supports: Doesn't Matter Infill: See misc. notes Notes: Each of the following part's infill is listed here: Axle- 50% infill. Wheel- 40% infill. Box- 10% infill. Lid- 10% infill. Post-Printing How I Designed This I used Autodesk Inventor 2016 student version for this project. It is a great piece of CAD software and I highly recommend using it. By using Inventor, you can design virtually anything. After I designed each part, I exported them as a .stl file and opened them in Cura, Ultimaker's 3-D printing software. Parts List Parts List Motor: 5000 RPM 6V High Torque Cylinder Magnetic Electric Mini DC Motorhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AUCGG6U?refRID=D9K31CTFQTPS9DACS15S&ref_=pd_ybh_a_23 On/off switch: HOTSYSTEM 10PC New 20A 12V Round Rocker Toggle Switch Blue LEDhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ME1IQ7C/ref=twister_B0176AA4GG Battery pack: uxcell 2 Pcs 4 x AA 6V Battery Holder Case Box Wired ON/OFF Switch w Coverhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H8PRPTE?refRID=BNGD1HE8BVZBGYZGR9XA&ref_=pd_ybh_a_5 Bolts: 0.8mm Pitch M5x40mm Stainless Steel Hex Socket Head Cap Screws 20 Pcshttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XP53K22?refRID=2P2A52XRXW82X9065NCC&ref_=pd_ybh_a_5 Project: Physics Gyroscope Objectives: By participating in the Physics Gyroscope project, students will learn how a gyroscope works, what type of force it uses, and why it resists from a lot of movement. Audiences: High school students and college students are the targeted audience for this project because they are old enough to understand why it acts like it does. Preparation: Before starting this project, students need to have batteries, a 5/38 hex screwdriver, and a creative mind. Steps: First, download the attached ting files and print out the parts. Also, order the recommended parts that you cannot print. Once you have got all of your essential parts, solder one wire to each pole of the motor. Then feed the wires through the tunnel from the motor end so they come out the other side. Now, you can push the motor down into the extrusion. Next, feed those same two wires through the hole for the switch and solder them to the two outer prongs on the switch. Also, feed the wires from the battery box through the hole for the switch. Now, to complete circuit correctly, solder the positive wire from the battery box to the middle prong of the switch. The other wire (negative) gets soldered to the gold prong on the switch. There should be one wire on the outer, silver prong, on wire on the silver, middle prong, and two wires on the outer, golden prong. Then snap the switch into the hole. Now all you have to do is put the lid on, but before you do that, make sure the switch on the battery box is on. Lastly, set the lid on top and bolt it on. Results: At the end of this project, students will have made a working gyroscope. They will be able to feel the force acting upon it, and they will have learned why that force is there. In order to get a grade, the student will have filled in a paper describing how it works, how well it works, and how long it took them to make it. The paper should be like a science lab report over the gyroscope