====== 3D Printed Robotics Initiative ======
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name=3D Printed Robotics Initiative|
image=:3dpb:screenshot_2026-01-18_at_2.31.56.png?400|
founder=[[user:artem]]|
depends=|
interested=|
status=live|
}}
~~META:
status = live
~~

===== Executive Summary =====

This initiative aims to create a vibrant weekly robotics community at Brmlab, bringing together beginners and intermediate participants, both hardware and software enthusiasts, including non-members.

Through hands-on workshops and collaborative robot projects the program will build skills, foster peer learning, and strengthen the makerspace community.

The project also aims to implement a PET bottle recycling pipeline to produce 3D printing filament, making robot fabrication more affordable and sustainable.

**Key metrics for success:**
  * 20 active participants within 6 months
  * 8 documented builds in 12 months
  * 12 public demo days

===== Audience =====

  * Beginners and intermediate-level participants
  * Both hardware and software enthusiasts
  * Open to Brmlab members and external participants

===== Roadmap =====

==== 1) Project Setup & Infrastructure Readiness ====

  * ✔ Create a dedicated project page in the Brmlab Wiki
  * ✔ Start formal discussion with the hackerspace committee
  * ☐ Define the format of recurring meetups and workshops
  * ☐ Restore and calibrate the existing 3D printer fleet
  * ☐ Purchase or expand the 3D printer fleet if needed
  * ☐ Prepare shared materials (PLA, PETG, TPU)
  * ☐ Organize "ready-to-use" work zones for participants
  * ☐ Develop a PET bottle recycling pipeline to produce filament

==== 2) Soft Skills & Toolchain Workshops ====

  * ☐ Introduction to Git and GitHub for collaborative development
  * ☐ CAD fundamentals for robotics (FreeCAD / Fusion 360)
  * ☐ Core robotics toolchain:
    * ☐ microcontrollers and firmware
    * ☐ servo and motor control
    * ☐ ROS basics and simulation
  * ☐ Best practices: documentation, issue tracking, demo days

==== 3) 3D Printed Electric Motors ====

  * ☐ Research 3D printed motor designs (axial flux, radial flux, BLDC)
  * ☐ Build first prototype motor
  * ☐ Test and characterize motor performance
  * ☐ Develop coil winding techniques
  * ☐ Integrate motors into robot projects
  * ☐ Reference projects:
    * Open Source Ecology 3D Printed Motors — [[https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/wiki/3D_Printed_Electric_Motor]]
    * RepRap BLDC Motor — [[https://github.com/RepRapLtd/RobotComponents/tree/main/Printed-BLDC-motor]]

==== 4) Walking Robots — Quadrupeds ====

  * ☐ Select a base quadruped platform
  * ☐ Prepare CAD and STL files for 3D printing
  * ☐ Mechanical assembly
  * ☐ First walking steps and basic gait patterns
  * ☐ Reference projects:
    * Sesame Robot — [[https://github.com/dorianborian/sesame-robot]]
    * Open Duck Mini V2 — [[https://www.thinkerforge.com/explore/docs/open-duck-mini/open-duck-mini-v2]]
    * ToddlerBot 2.0 — [[https://www.thinkerforge.com/explore/docs/stanford-university/toddlerbot-2.0_2xm]]
    * LeKiwi — [[https://www.thinkerforge.com/explore/docs/sigrobotics-@-uiuc/lekiwi]]
    * Stanford Doggo — [[https://github.com/Nate711/StanfordDoggoProject]]
    * Mini Pupper — [[https://github.com/mangdangroboticsclub/QuadrupedRobot]]
    * OpenCat (Nybble/Bittle) — [[https://github.com/PetoiCamp/OpenCat]]
    * Open Quadruped — [[https://github.com/adham-elarabawy/open-quadruped]]
    * OpenQuadruped — [[https://github.com/Quothd/OpenQuadruped]]
    * Open Dynamic Robot Initiative — [[https://open-dynamic-robot-initiative.github.io]]

==== 5) Mobile Robots ====

  * ☐ Define mobile robot architecture
  * ☐ Explore sensors and navigation approaches
  * ☐ Implement obstacle avoidance
  * ☐ Explore SLAM techniques
  * ☐ Reference projects:
    * OpenBot — [[https://github.com/isl-org/OpenBot]]
    * Robotont 3 — omnidirectional wheeled ROS-based educational platform
    * DiffBot — differential drive mobile robot with ROS
    * Awesome Vacuum — [[https://github.com/awesome-vacuum/awesome-vacuum]]

==== 6) Robotic Arms & Manipulators ====

  * ☐ Select an open-source manipulator
  * ☐ Kinematics and actuator control
  * ☐ Calibration and repeatability testing
  * ☐ Reference projects:
    * SO-ARM100/101 — [[https://github.com/TheRobotStudio/SO-ARM100]]
    * BCN3D Moveo — [[https://github.com/BCN3D/BCN3D-Moveo]]
    * Thor — [[https://github.com/AngelLM/Thor]]
    * PAROL6 — [[https://github.com/PCrnjak/PAROL6-Desktop-robot-arm]]
    * Poppy Ergo Jr — [[https://github.com/poppy-project/poppy-ergo-jr]]
    * Reachy Arm — [[https://www.thinkerforge.com/explore/docs/johnting0512's-workspace/arm]]
    * OpenArm V1.0 Follower — [[https://www.thinkerforge.com/explore/docs/enactic/openarm-v1.0-follower]]

==== 7) Robotic Hands, Grippers & End Effectors ====

  * ☐ Study different gripper types and mechanisms
  * ☐ Design and print gripper/hand prototypes
  * ☐ Implement sensor integration (force, touch, position)
  * ☐ Develop interchangeable end effector system
  * ☐ Test different grasping strategies
  * ☐ Reference projects:
    * **Dexterous Hands:**
      * Aero Hand Open — [[https://www.thinkerforge.com/explore/docs/komak-robotics/aero-hand-open]]
    * **Parallel Grippers:**
      * 3D Printed Parallel Gripper — [[https://github.com/roboninecom/3D-Printed-Parallel-Gripper-for-Robotics-Arms]]
      * PincOpen — [[https://pollen-robotics.github.io/PincOpen]]
    * **Three-Fingered Grippers:**
      * RAMEL Three-Fingered Gripper — [[https://github.com/RAMEL-ESPOL/Three-Fingered-Robotic-Gripper]]
      * ALARIS Underactuated Gripper — [[https://www.alaris.kz/research/open-source-3d-printed-underactuated-robotic-gripper]]
    * **Adaptive Grippers:**
      * SSG-48 Adaptive Electric Gripper — [[https://github.com/PCrnjak/SSG-48-adaptive-electric-gripper]]
      * MSG Compliant Stepper Gripper — [[https://github.com/PCrnjak/MSG-compliant-AI-stepper-gripper]]
    * **End Effector Tools:**
      * Vacuum cups and suction systems
      * Magnetic grippers
      * Soft grippers (TPU printed)
      * Custom tool changers
      * Interchangeable tips and attachments

==== 8) Modular Self-Reconfigurable Robots ====

  * ☐ Study modular robot architectures and connection mechanisms
  * ☐ Design and print identical stackable modules
  * ☐ Implement docking and communication protocols
  * ☐ Develop reconfiguration planning algorithms
  * ☐ Test different configurations (snake, walker, vehicle)
  * ☐ Reference projects:
    * Dtto Modular Robot — [[https://github.com/otrebla333/Dtto-Modular-Robot]]
    * SMORES-EP — [[https://www.modlabupenn.org/category/smores]]

==== 9) Humanoids ====

  * ☐ Review existing open-source humanoid platforms
  * ☐ Gait and balance simulation
  * ☐ Physical prototyping
  * ☐ Reference projects:
    * Poppy Humanoid — [[https://github.com/poppy-project/poppy-humanoid]]
    * ToddlerBot — [[https://toddlerbot.github.io]]

==== 10) Search & Custom Projects ====

  * ☐ Collect project ideas from participants
  * ☐ Discover and add new open-source robotics repositories
  * ☐ Experimental and exploratory projects

===== Deliverables =====

  * Weekly robotics meetups
  * Shared documentation and open repositories
  * Working robot prototypes
  * A growing, self-sustaining robotics community at Brmlab
  * Success metrics:
    * 20 active participants after 6 months
    * 8 documented builds after 12 months
    * 12 public demo days
  * Reduced 3D printing cost through PET bottle filament recycling