Design and Production of a 3-D Printed Wireless Hexapod

The purpose of this MQP was to research, analyze, and construct a working prototype of a low-cost, wirelessly-controlled hexapod. The goal of the prototype was to achieve the capability of forward, backward, and turning motions while using additive manufacturing methods for open source technology. The prototype was completed and tested by an interdisciplinary team of electrical and mechanical engineering students and required collaborative design across two engineering disciplines. 3-D printing was used as the central additive manufacturing method, including technologies such as FDM and Photopolymerization. Printed parts ranged in complexity from simple gears to intricate joint assemblies. The key focus of the project was designing for manufacturability in real-time applications