3D Printed Robotics Initiative

3D Printed Robotics Initiative
founder:	artem
depends on:
interested:
software license:
hardware license:

~~META: status = live ~~

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

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

• ✔ 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

• ☐ 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

• ☐ 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

• ☐ 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

• ☐ 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

• ☐ 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

• ☐ 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

• ☐ 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

• ☐ 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

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

• 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