Sparkfun sells a chassis for robots call the "Shadow" (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13301). It is a great chassis for building beginner robots. It snaps together, which is great, but unfortunately if you are not too careful, the parts can break when unsnapping. In particular, I broke the side strut that connects the top and bottom deck of the chassis. So, I created a replacement part.

In addition, Sparkfun sells a sensor called the VL6180 ToF sensor (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12785). I wanted it mounted on the front of my robot, but there was no easy way to do this using the existing side struts. I originally designed a part (by hand at first, then in a CAD program) that would mount onto the existing side struts, but then figured why not go all the way and design a replacement side strut that could mount the VL6180 sensor instead.

So, there are currently two part files:

sparkfun_shadow_side_strut.stl - This is a replacement for the side strut that comes with Shadow chassis kit. It is not the same design, but it is the same height with the same flanges for snapping into the top and bottom plates.

sparkfun_shadow_side_strut_vl6180_mount.stl - This is the replacement side strut, but now with some added portion to allow the mounting of the VL6180 ToF sensor. There should be plenty of space to mount the sensor with the 90 degree header connectors and connect the connectors to the header.

LulzBot

Mini

No

No

fine

I used the online CAD software OnShape (www.onshape.com) to design a replacement part, then I generated various prototypes until I got the measurements to match the original side struts that come with Shadow chassis kit.