How to create a robotic arm with your students

Begin the lesson by explaining the electronic elements of a printer. It is essential to carry out the explanation with a printer in front of you to be able to see each and every one of the components and explain how they work.

Students must previously have knowledge of basic electronics and Arduino.

The different types of existing thermoplastics, their characteristics and properties and their application will also be explained. In our case we will rely more on PLA since it is an easier material to work with and also, as it comes from organic materials, it is more recyclable than, for example, ABS that comes from oil for example.

It is true that PLA is less recommended than ABS for mechanical parts, but by giving it the necessary thickness and infill, parts will be solid enough to support the robotic arm that is going to be generated.

PLA filaments are biodegradable and have excellent mechanical properties as well as high quality in 3D printing. It is the ideal filament for those who start printing due to its great ease of printing. It does not have warping.

ABS is the acronym for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. This filament is one of the most used thermoplastics in 3D printing. It is a very hard and rigid material, and has great chemical resistance to abrasion. It is soluble in acetone. It is not biodegradable, and it degrades a lot if it is exposed to the sun. It requires a hot bed between 80ºC and 100ºC. LEGO pieces are made with ABS.

PETG filament has low shrinkage, which makes it easy to print. People like this filament because you can get very shiny, translucent pieces. It has a great chemical resistance and compatible for food use. It has a great resistance to sunlight, making it perfect for outdoors.

ASA It is a filament with exceptional mechanical resistance to the elements, both to UVA rays and to water. If you are going to use plastic for a piece that is going to be outdoors or is going to be hit, ASA should be the choice since it maintains its color and resistance to impact, even after long-term outdoor use.