High-Level Project Summary
Mars is a rough place and trying to survive there will be a big challenge for the humankind and we wanted to make this process easier by designing a multi-functional tool and make it producable with the limited resources of Mars. Our project is called MUPIT(Multi-Purpose Interplanetary Research Tool) and it is a device can be turned into any tool. It has a universal port for connecting extensions and it reduces the amount of required material of the tools. Most of the tools used in heavy jobs and research are big but by using MUPIT the tools becomes as small as a extension. MUPIT and its tools can be 3D printed and this makes it important. We are hoping to help humanity in Mars exploration.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
MUPIT(Multi-Purpose Interplanetary Research Tool) is a multi-functional hand-tool can be used by astronauts in interplanetary missions(in this case Mars). MUPIT has changable extensions to accomplish any task. MUPIT's the most important feature is the easiness of changing its extensions and it can be done by a push of a finger. For this feature we've used quick release lock pin mechanism. Quick release lock pin mechanism holds the extension very strong but it can be released very easily. This is why this mechanism is used in MUPIT. MUPIT has a universal port to connect to its extensions, every tools designed for MUPIT needs this universal port to connect. We have designed 5 example extensions which can be used in Mars missions. They are rake, shovel, pickaxe, hammer and scoop. These tools normally are huge and need lots of material to be produced. MUPIT turns them into small extensions and lowers the production cost. MUPIT and its extensions can be 3D printed easily. We've designed MUPIT and its extensions on SolidWorks becuase it is one of the best applications can be used in designing and prototyping mechanical systems.
Space Agency Data
We have mainly used NASA's data and previous designs as inspiration. We've designed the extensions according to tools used by astronauts in Apollo missions. We've improved NASA's extension handle used in Apollo missions by changing the machanism inside of it and make it easier to change the extensions. We've improved the extension handle and made it more comfortable and easier to use because it is designed to be ergonomic. Some extensions we've designed are inspired from Apollo. Rake design can be seen being used in Apollo missions.
Hackathon Journey
This year's Space Apps experience had given us a chance to know each other and make bonds with each other. We've worked for long hours and made mistakes but we learned giving up is not an option and we learned from our mistakes. We've helped each other and learned new things from each other. Our team originally is a robotics team and it led us choosing this challange because most of our friends 3d designing and manufacturing stages. We approached this project as a strategy game and thought the best way to solve this problem by discussing about the problem and find a way to solve this problem. Our way to resolve setbacks was brain storming because it makes us see the situation from other perspectives and it makes easier to find a solution to a setback. We want to thank our teacher Nurbanu because she helped us and take care of us in this 48 hours process.
References
Resources:
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/tools/tools26.jpg
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/tools/Welcome.html
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/tools/tools20.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPmNklsSE7w&ab_channel=JayGould
https://grabcad.com/library/garden-shovel-1
Tools:
canva.com
SolidWorks
Tags
#mars #interplanetary #cad #design #tools #problemsolving