Research and design by:
Zahra Akef, Rand Kashlan, Mazyar Etehadi,Kaya Tueni, Areeba Shahid
 
This project is based on design and construction of a sand extruder from scratch to be attached to the kaka robotic arm. In our initial stages of the design process, we took into consideration the properties of the material we were working with. Given that sand was the primary material, it was crucial to strike a balance between its consistency, viscosity, drying time, stacking, and strength. Consequently, we embarked on a series of experiments with different biomaterials, eventually settling on a mixture of vinegar, corn starch, sand, glycerine, and water. The subsequent design phase focused on creating a plunger that was both efficient in material usage and easy to detach, refill, and clean. The extruder and nozzle design were next in line for scrutiny. Our goal was to ensure that the auger rotated the material efficiently without blockages or interruptions, pushing the sand down the extruder with ease.