8. Documentation
Click for PowerPoint (9 slides).
By Tyler Wortman. Included here for future reference. Click for PDF (13 pages).
Documentation
2016
This week, I'm going to summarize the John SteinBot design process, create a brochure & owner's manual for John SteinBot, reflect on the lessons learned, and plan for the future.
A summary of the entire design process, from strategies, to concepts, to analysis, build, and test is provided above in a powerpoint for you to download. For a more detailed look at each step, make sure to look back on the other posts for John SteinBot on this website.
Additionally, I've created a little brochure and owner's manual you can downlaod as a PDF. It simply describes the SteinBot specifications and features, and is a quick start guide for reference in the future.
I also talk about the lessons learned from John SteinBot in the Design Notes pdf above. Most importantly, I learned how to NOT waste time while designing and machining. Cost is king when creating a market product, so the lessons I learned will directly help me in market competetiveness.
Then, I began to think about the future of John SteinBot in the Design Notes pdf. I calculated how much he would have cost without subsidies (free materials, electronics) and arrived at a sum of $210! I was able to scavenge about $105 worth of materials and paid only $95 out of pocket. In the future, I want to add a simple servo Z axis to make John into a true writing machine. I also want to remachine the Y carriage and see the effect it has on performance.
Finally, I began to make plans for my next machine, a 3D printer named Johannes GutenBot. A survey of the market showed that 3D printers are oversaturated unless you have a really cool, new idea. I want experience with a belt drive system and linear ball bearings, so I still may make a 3D printer, or something else....
Its been a great journey for John SteinBot and myself. I'm very proud of how he turned out and am excited for the future. He will be a personal jewel forever.
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