Innovative Approaches to Material Selection and Testing in Additive Manufacturing

Area of Science:

• Robotics Engineering
• Materials Science in Education
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• VEX GO and VEX IQ kits are widely used in STEM/STEAM education.
• Existing components may have limitations in durability or cost.
• 3D printing offers a customizable solution for creating replacement or enhanced parts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To select the optimal 3D printing filament material for VEX robotic components.
• To establish cost-effective 3D printing parameters for educational environments.
• To ensure printed parts meet required mechanical properties and functionality for educational applications.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of various filament materials based on printability, mechanical properties, and cost.
• Destructive testing of 3D-printed parts against original VEX components.
• Evaluation of ease of use for beginner-level operators in school settings.
• Experimental measurements and destructive tests.

Main Results:

• Identification of a suitable filament material that maintains mechanical properties for repetitive use.
• Demonstration of cost-effectiveness and simplified printing processes for educational contexts.
• Validation of 3D-printed parts' performance through assembly, disassembly, and activation tests.

Conclusions:

• Selected filament materials provide a viable, cost-effective solution for VEX robotic parts in education.
• 3D printing parameters can be optimized for ease of use by students and educators.
• The study supports the integration of 3D printing in STEM/STEAM curricula for enhanced learning experiences.