5 Specifications and 5 Constraints 3D Printed Strandbeast

Top 5 Wants: To characterize this project as a success, I want it to achieve these five aspects: a non-plastic appearance, a color scheme that reflects steampunk aesthetics, the ability to walk in place, an alternative power source beyond just wind, and a design that stays true to the original form of a Strandbeest.

1.) I hope that by using the metallic paints I can hide the white PLA and make the parts look like metals.

2.) I chose to go with a brass, dark metallic, and brown because after researching the steampunk aesthetic these were the colors that stood out to me the most.

3.) I want to use make sure the stand for the project works so I could put it on my desk or somewhere in my house.

4.) Since I want it stationary sometimes I can’t just have a fan blowing on it all the time so figuring out how to adapt it to use a motor would be ideal.

5.) Strandbeests are recognized by their linkage motion and repeatability I want to make sure this is something that doesn’t get hidden in my work.

With this project I want to prioritize my aesthetic more than functionality which is something I tend to weigh heavier in most of my projects. I am not as concerned that it moves exactly as it should rather that it looks cool and steampunk. I also am prioritizing the color scheme and want it to have a good eye appeal.

Top 5 Constraints: The top five constraints I face with this project are money, time, getting even coats of spray paint on the plastic, spray paint causing friction between parts, and paint rubbing off with WD40.

1.) I am a broke college student and would like to keep this project relatively inexpensive, by using stuff I have already.

2.) I currently have two jobs sometimes three in addition to being a full time student in senior design, so sometimes I have to prioritize other work.

3.) 3D prints aren’t perfect so I any imperfection in the print will be exaggerated when the paint is applied to the print.

4.) Since there is a lot of moving parts in this the paint changes the geometry enough to cause friction between parts, this makes the motion slower and creates some interference.

5.) I have had to use WD40 for the parts so far and I noticed some of the paint begins to fade during while using the WD40 with it.

I think the time will be the toughest constraint to deal with. The reason being all of the problems above could probably be fixed by using more time (maybe not money lol). With that being said to combat this I started on my project early and have made a lot of good progress on it. I already  started painting and got the time intensive 3D printing done.