Contract Projects

Franklin Institute Coin Transit

While I worked at NextFab, Philadelphia's own Franklin Institute contracted us to create an eye-catching mechanism for a new donation kiosk. I was inspired by the elaborate transport mechanisms and gear systems of fiction from my childhood and set out to create something that my 8-year-old self would find wondrous. The FI consists of twelve gears, each with a cupped disc for the purpose of transporting coins. The discs are alternately shifted one half-tooth out of phase so as to align with the adjacent discs. The components for the final installation were stylized and cut from steel. The prototype in the video did not include the eccentrically weighted motor for preventing jams.

Sewerbot

Sewerbot, aptly named, is a robot designed and built for the purpose of inspecting storm-drains. BioRobots, LLC was contacted by a local civil engineering firm (Barr-Prevost) to design a system for remotely inspecting potentially dangerous interstate outlets for storm runoff. The system includes high torque motors, a two DoF security camera with optical zoom capability, a water resistant enclosure, and a fiber optic communication tether. The electronic components include a Raspberry Pi, a fiber optic/rj45 hub, an ethernet switch, and a Sabertooth motor controller.

Gear Cube

In July 2012, NextFab was invited to contribute to a gallery opening, of which a theme was art and technology. I decided to use this opportunity to showcase some of the unique abilities of 3D printers at the time- mainly the ability to print fully assembled mechanical systems. The Gear Cube is a 4x4x4'' assembly of mechanisms, textures, and doors with the intention of shining a spotlight on the feasibility of 3D printing in real engineering and likewise, engineering in real art. Included in the model are a rack and pinion, a crankshaft and pistons, "barn doors", a hinge,  and printed knurling.