High-Level Project Summary
To tackle multiple needs at once, this project focused on universal tools to aid in the wheel-replacement process and other possible tasks. First, we created a universal screwdriver that fits various instruments by using a system that adapts to instruments' widths. Applications include fitting surgery scalpels, screwing pieces, and as utensils. Second, we created a workstation with three tables that rotates 360 degrees to provide three different work stations that may be used as one large station. Finally, the wheel replacement provides cushioning in rocky surfaces, arrows in the tires for signage, and the message "Humanity Is Here." The importance lies in the ability to do more, with less
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
The project consists in three models: the rover’s wheel, the universal screwdriver, and the 360 Versatile Table. Here’s a detailed description of the three:
Rover’s wheel: This new model for the Rover’s damaged wheel consists of three essential pieces: the tire, the support pillars, and the rim. The tires essentially serve the purpose of all others: helping the Rover get from point A to point B. To this end, we added arrows in the tire to indicate the direction in which the Rover traveled. Below the tire, the four support pillars offer cushioning for the rover as it travels Mars’ rocky surface. Under these support pillars, the rim allows for the connection between the wheel and the Rover as a whole. In this rim, we added the message “Humanity is here” to symbolize the advancements of human civilization.
Universal Screwdriver: Made with the purpose of working as a universal handle for any tools, the universal screwdriver’s design has three components to make this possible: the universal “eye-opening” system, a motor, the motor’s battery, a rotating piece, and a handle. Firstly, the eye-opening system. This system was inspired by the lenses of a camera, which contracts or dilates depending on the user’s needs. Using this principle, we designed the eye-opening system with “blades” that can be contracted or dilated using the rotating piece. This allows the user to fit tips of differently-sized screws, forks, knives, and screwdriver tips that will allow the user to tackle any major or minor inconveniences that might arise. The caveat is that all tools must have the “engagement pieces” or “teeth” that will attach the tools to the attachment holes on the inner part of the blade, and a space for the filler in the center of the rotating piece to fit into the tools. As for other pieces of the screwdriver, we added a handle that will serve as a compartment for the battery of the motor, the motor, the rotating piece in the screwdriver, and base for the motor’s switch button. In the lower part of the handle, we added a compartment for a battery. This disposable battery will power the motor on top of it. Moreover, the motor on top will facilitate the process of screwing the necessary pieces to assemble the rover’s wheel. Furthermore, the rotating piece atop of the handle will allow for the eye-opening system to contact and secure the tools for use. The last piece in this handle is the switch button, which will allow the user to choose whether the screwdriver will rotate left or right. In short, the user will be able to fit the desired tool, contract the eye-opening system to secure it using the rotating piece, push the switch the button to rotate the tool left or right, and either screw or unscrew the desired piece.
360 Versatile Table: This tool consists of a system of multiple tables that can be arranged in a variety of positions for different uses. The 360 table can be broken up in four parts: the engagement wheel, the vertical support, the tables, and the base. The engagement wheel consists of a circle of plastic that counts with “engagement points” all around its structure. These points, or holes, are connection ports for the tables to connect and stay in a particular position. Moreover, the tables serve two purposes: storage and support. The user will be able to have different work stations for different purposes thanks to its moving system. These tables can be rotated thanks to the engagement wheel to be put as a single table with the combined length of the three. Each table can also be rotated 360 degrees on its own axis. Moreover, the tables also hold spacious compartments for tools and other materials to be stored inside of each of them. Essentially, the 360 Versatile Table works as multiple stations that can be put together as a bigger station, while functioning as different compartments spaces for the user to set boundaries between tasks.
We hope to help in the achievement of surpassing new horizons by providing ideas that can be useful in a future Mars exploration mission.
Software and Tools used:
Autodesk Inventor Professional 2023 was used to visualize and create 3d constructions for this project.
A metric tape measure helped to visualize measurements in the real world to create realistic designs of our constructs.
Hardware tools, tables, and average size humans were used to help the design providing measurements that we used in our project.
Space Agency Data
- Deep space Habitability design guidelines based on NASA nextSTEP phase 2 Ground Test Program - NASA
This paper consists of an evaluation done for 4 astronauts of several prototypes of possible habitat spaces. We use this paper to understand what type of space an astronaut finds necessary for their missions, and other things that they find unnecessary or dispensable. For example in the paper we can observe con astronauts classify as fundamental to have a multipurpose workstation for critical commanding. This was our base idea at the time of designing our tools and furniture, all of our designs have the purpose of occupying the least possible space and being multipurpose.
- Mars Habitat, Advanced design program - NASA
The goal for this paper was to design a human habitat on Mars that can be utilized as a permanent base for twenty crew members. We use this paper to understand the physical limitations that a habitable space would have on Mars, with this information we were able to adapt our tools and furniture to the conditions expressed in the research .
Hackathon Journey
Our team experience during this year's NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon tested primarily our creativeness and approach to achieve productiveness on every single tool and furniture we designed. We decided to choose “ Outfitting a Mars Habitat: A 3D Print Challenge” in specific to master our ability to create, visualize, and understand the usage of new multifunctional tools such as the Rover’s wheel replacement, 360 versatil table, multi-task screwdriver, and validate their function and effectiveness in this whole new habitat of mars. Our main source of inspiration was the motivation we had as a group to gain skills in analyzing all the possible equipment NASA astronauts may need for improving their living conditions on their mission. Throughout this project, teamwork was our main strength to formulate ideas and structures carefully to verify every single one of their effectiveness. Putting ourselves in a position where we needed to think, observe, and reflect as astronauts was an enriched experience we were delighted to have.
References
- Gernhardt, M., Chappell, S., Beaton, K., Litaker, H., Bekdash, O., Newton, C., & Stoffel, J. (2019). Deep Space Habitability Design Guidelines Based on the NASA NextSTEPS Phase 2 Ground Test Program . Texas ; NASA.
- Sabouni , I. (1991). Mars Habitat . Texas ; NASA.
Tags
#universal #humanityhere #360 #water #admars #mars #awesome #journey #work #tool #furniture #livingthebestlife