The file 'Educational Force Sensor + Lab Exercises 3D Printer Model' is (stl,txt,pdf,xlsx) file type, size is 4.2MB.
3D printers are becoming more prevalent in schools these days, but what kinds of education specific things can they be used for? Why not an introductory lesson in physics?!!
This is a functioning 3D printed load cell model capable of measuring force in tension and compression. You can change out the spring to measure forces up to 20 lbs! Links to the purchased parts and lessons explaining the science behind it are all provided in this Thingiverse post!
This hands-on project is safe for kids and the result is durable and can be used for future educational experiments!
Video Demo Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAwtl4TtXP8
Update: Links to the non-printed parts for quick reference here:
Hardware:
(1) Spring (Spring-rate = 5.1 lb/in): http://www.mcmaster.com/#9657K428
(1) Alternate Spring (Rate = 3.77 lb/in): http://www.mcmaster.com/#9657K115
(1) Alternate Spring (Rate = 10 lb/in): http://www.mcmaster.com/#9657K429
(1) Sliding Potentiometer (2.36 inch travel): https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9119
(1) 1/4"-20 nut
(1) 1/4"-20 hex bolt, 4" long, PARTIALLY threaded (not fully threaded)
Data Acquisition:
(1) Arduino Uno (Program in the ThingFiles) https://www.amazon.com/Development-Board-Arduino-ATmega328P-ATMEGA16U2/dp/B00SZSFFY0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1463257799&sr=8-9&keywords=arduino+uno&linkCode=sl1&tag=engin09-20&linkId=4fc6c8cd379d86d8b015b11e8104dce4
(1) Screen Interface (this is optional because you can just use the Arduino serial monitor on the computer to read measurements. The buttons are overkill for this project but they are nice to have for other things.) https://www.amazon.com/Development-Board-Arduino-ATmega328P-ATMEGA16U2/dp/B00SZSFFY0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1463257799&sr=8-9&keywords=arduino+uno&linkCode=sl1&tag=engin09-20&linkId=4fc6c8cd379d86d8b015b11e8104dce4
| Arduino_W_Screen_case.stl | 31.7KB | |
| Arduino_W_Screen_Lid.stl | 126.8KB | |
| Arduino_W_Screen_Lid__Slots.stl | 145.8KB | |
| bottom.stl | 504.8KB | |
| Case.stl | 838.9KB | |
| D_pad_Button.stl | 39.8KB | |
| hook.stl | 1.7MB | |
| load_cell_program_Arduino.txt | 3.6KB | |
| Quiz_Loadcell_Lab.pdf | 161.5KB | |
| Slider.stl | 423.2KB | |
| Step1_Printable_Parts__BOM.pdf | 176.7KB | |
| Step2_Assemble_The_Parts.pdf | 308.9KB | |
| Step3_Wire_It_Up_and_Play.pdf | 385.2KB | |
| Step4_Discuss_How_It_Works+Mystery_Spring_Exercise.pdf | 494.5KB | |
| Step5_Comparison_to_Real_Load_Cell.pdf | 383.6KB | |
| Step6_Calibration_Calculator.xlsx | 4.8MB | |
| Step6_Perform_A_Calibration.pdf | 431.2KB | |
| Step7_Discuss_Bit_Resolution__Proportional_Scaling.pdf | 135.8KB | |
| Step7_Printed_LoadCell_Calculations.xlsx | 11.3KB | |
| top.stl | 146.4KB | |
| Track.stl | 40.7KB |
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