Bipedal Robot with Gear Mechanisms: Industrial 3D Printing

Building bipedal robots is a fascinating challenge in the field of robotics, requiring precision and innovation in mechanical design. One of the most important elements to ensure the stable and efficient movement of a bipedal robot is the gear mechanism, which effectively distributes the force generated by the motors. In this project, we used the N20 motor, widely known for its compactness and performance, coupled with a gear system that simulates the natural movement of the legs.

All parts of this robot were designed and produced with high-precision 3D printing, using JLC3DP's industrial-grade technology. 3D printing allowed the creation of lightweight, customized components optimized for the mechanical operation of the robot, providing greater efficiency and performance.

Read on to explore in detail how this ingenious mechanism works and discover how each part was designed to ensure the balance and fluid movement of the bipedal robot.

Now... let's get started.

1. Mechanical Design and Structure

The structure of a bipedal robot is essential to ensure stability, balance and efficiency of its movements. In this project, the focus was to assemble a robust and lightweight design.

Each part was manufactured using industrial 3D printing to ensure excellent finishing and precision in the assembly process.

1.1 - Gears and Movement Mechanisms

The bipedal robot uses a gear system to distribute the power of the N20 motor efficiently between the legs, allowing coordinated and balanced movements.

The gears are designed to maximize torque transfer, ensuring that the robot maintains its stability while walking.

The ratios between the gears and the motor have been carefully adjusted to allow for smooth and controlled movement, simulating the natural gait of a human being.

1.2 - N20 Engine Selection: Features and Operation

The N20 motor was chosen for its compactness, low power consumption and ability to provide sufficient torque to move the robot. With its small size and light weight, the N20 fits perfectly into the robot’s structure, allowing the system to maintain a good power-to-weight ratio.

In addition, its versatility and easy control make the N20 an excellent choice for small and medium-sized robots. In this bipedal robot, the N20 motor is responsible for driving the gear system, providing precise movement of the legs.

1.3 - Advantages of 3D Printing in Robot Construction

3D printing enabled the creation of highly customized parts optimized for the specific needs of this bipedal robot.

With JLC3DP’s 3D printing technology, it was possible to achieve a level of precision comparable to industrial production, ensuring the quality and durability of the parts.

Below, see some parts produced in JLC3DP.

All parts were manufactured with excellent surface finish and dimensional control to ensure the movement of the bipedal robot.

In addition, 3D printing enabled rapid adjustments and efficient prototyping, allowing the design to be continuously tested and improved. This also reduced development time and production costs compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

2. Assembling the bipedal robot structure

Assembling the structure of a bipedal robot requires attention to detail to ensure that all components function correctly. Below, you will find a detailed explanation of each step involved in assembly. All parts use M3 x 12 mm countersunk screws.

2.1. Preparing 3D Printed Parts

After 3D printing your parts, it is crucial to perform some finishing procedures to ensure that they fit together properly and operate efficiently. This may include removing supports that were used during printing, as well as minor adjustments such as sanding the mating surfaces and checking tolerances.

Careful finishing helps to avoid unnecessary friction and ensures that the gear system operates smoothly. Ensuring that the parts are free of warpage or imperfections is also critical to the overall performance of the robot.

2.2. Gear Mechanism Assembly

The gear mechanism is one of the most important parts of the bipedal robot, as it is responsible for transferring movement from the motor to the robot's legs.

Next, we will begin the assembly process by fitting the N20 motor and the motion transmission gear attached to its shaft.

The rotation movement will be transmitted to all other gears from this gear coupled to the motor.

After that, we must mount the gears on the pins. These gears will be used to transmit movement to each leg. See the result below.

The motor must be fixed to the power battery part. See the fixing process in the figures below.

To begin the process of coupling the other gears and assembling the mechanisms, couple the central support piece. It is shown in the figure below.

Next we have the coupling of other gears in the system.

Next, we will assemble the mechanisms for the other leg. This way, we will couple the left and right sides after construction.

Finally, we have the coupling of the robot's support feet.

Next, we will present the result of the coupling of the robot parts.

3. Result of coupling of gear mechanisms

After a meticulous assembly process, the bipedal robot is now complete and ready for its first movements. This project illustrates the effective integration of all components, highlighting the harmony between the N20 motor, the gear system and the 3D printed parts in JLC3DP.

The couplings between the parts have been carefully adjusted to ensure smooth and efficient operation. The N20 motor is firmly connected to the gear mechanism, allowing the torque required for the movement of the legs to be transferred.

The precisely aligned gears ensure that the movement generated by the motor is effectively transmitted, allowing the robot to walk in a controlled and balanced manner.

Visually, the bipedal robot displays a modern aesthetic, with a design that combines functionality and style. The 3D printed parts not only provide strength, but also contribute to a reduced weight, facilitating movement through various materials from JLC3DP that offer mechanical strength and lightness to the mechanism.

5. Result and conclusion

After assembly was complete, the bipedal robot underwent a series of motion tests. The results were promising, with the robot able to move smoothly and stably. The performance of the gear system and N20 motor proved to be effective, allowing the robot to perform basic walking movements with confidence.

The interaction between the parts and the drive mechanism confirmed the effectiveness of the design and assembly, preparing the robot for future iterations and improvements.

The bipedal robot is not only a working prototype, but a testament to the potential of 3D printing and mechanical engineering. This project paves the way for new experiments in robotics and demonstrates how the integration of modern technologies can result in exciting innovations in the field.

If you want to create projects with 3D printing and manufacture industrial-quality 3D printed parts, check out JLC3DP and manufacture prototypes with high-quality finishes and low manufacturing costs. Create your account and print parts from $0.3.