These are the supporting files for the Learning Blade Robot Claw Maker Quest.

This Maker Quest gives students practice with robotic grasping mechanisms. The model files in this lesson can be used to assemble a simple robot claw. Once the students have printed and assembled their claws, they can engage in class discussion about robotic hand design.

The design files are arranged for printing within a 120mm x 120mm x 120mm. The claw could be scaled up for 3D printers with larger volumes, but keep in mind this may affect the tolerances and fit of certain parts.

The included pdf document walks students through this 3D Maker Quest.

This robot claw is a derivative work of another flat, claw design. Unlike the original design, which required glue, this design is assembled with pins and requires no glue.

UPDATE: We've updated the model files so that the gear teeth fit together better with the stricter tolerances of modern 3D printers. The original files allowed for much looser fits.
UPDATE v05: Two of the objects were accidentally placed 0 .5 mm above the print surface in the previous update, so we've corrected this and all objects are now flush with the print bed.

This claw model is designed with a simple, ridged design that should allow it to grasp and hold a variety of things. But the design could be modified so the end of the claw could fit specific objects or tools, depending on how it’s intended to be used. Some students may wish to experiment with their model files to design a claw with very specialized purposes.

Teachers can facilitate class discussion about the Robot Claw project by asking the following questions:

The claw in this project uses a sliding section to swing the claw open and closed. How does this mechanical action affect the force applied to the jaws of the claw? How could the force applied to the slide, and the grasping force of the jaws be measured?

This claw is designed to grasp a variety of objects. How could this design be modified to grasp something like a nut or a bolt?

Claw design uses a pair of jaws to grasp an object. What types of objects would be better grasped and manipulated by a claw with more than two jaw ends? How would such a claw be designed and constructed?

Humans have a single hand design that’s used to perform a variety of tasks, but many robots have specialized arms and appendages to perform different tasks. What are the benefits and challenges to using a single versus, multiple types of appendages?