RizeRze Pulley Maximizes Efficiency and Performance

FRC Team 1257 had a new competition, or “game,” to play in this year called FIRST Power Up, which entailed building robots that placed boxes on scales in competitive events vs. other FRC teams.

The team designed and a printed functional pulley with an integrated sprocket. The pulley/sprocket part was printed in one piece on a Rize™ One 3D printer to reduce the number of parts and minimize part assembly required. The part is operated with a cable. The chain turns the sprocket that is built into the drum of the pulley. Students wind and unwind the assembly to lift and lower the robot’s elevator that holds the boxes.

 

“We chose the Rize One 3D printer to print the part due to Rize’s isotropic part strength and ink marking capability,” said Jackie Gerstein, a technology teacher at UCMHS. “Labeling was printed directly onto the end of the sprocket part to indicate which chain the students need to use to use with that sprocket. This avoided any confusion and potential malfunction.”

Rize Pulley Lifts 18 inches to Over 6 Feet in 3 Seconds

Using the Rize 3D printed pulley/sprocket part, FRC Team 1257’s robot successfully collected 4 lb. boxes, moved them across a gymnasium field, lifted them to full extension – from 18 inches to 6 feet 6 inches – in just 3 seconds. The robot stacked the boxes in a controlled manner to achieve whatever height the Team desired. Their record was 9 boxes placed in a single match.

The maximum torque on the motor/gearing combination is approximately 60 ft./lbs. and it can stall this with no apparent ill effect.

A testament to the unique isotropic strength of Rize 3D printed parts, FRC Team 1257 used the same part at 40 official matches, including the District Championship, and during practice sessions.

Rize Materials and Process Ensure Student Safety

Nowhere is a completely safe, clean and easy-to-use 3D printer more important than with students. The Rize One desktop industrial 3D printer emits no VOCs and uses only safe and recyclable materials. Each component of Rize’s Rizium® One material is FDA USP Class
VI Certified. Since Rize One requires zero post-processing of parts following printing, FRC Team 1257 can get their parts 2X faster than other systems, while eliminating messy and harmful solvents.

Said Jackie, “Although the academic year is coming to a close, our Team never stops innovating. A Sophomore student is currently designing the next generation pulley/sprocket part that will be printed on the Rize One 3D printer.”