Mechanical Design, Machine Design

Project: ScanLab X1 (3D Scanning Platform)
Group: Ahmed AlKooheji, Noor Suwaidan, and Haitham Al‑Naser
🔗 Group Page | 👤 Noor's Reflection

🐲 Mechanical Design (Part 1 of 2) – My Role

• - Designed the Lazy Susan rotary base using Fusion 360. I used internal gear profiles and ensured a snug mount for the stepper motor.
  📷 Recommended: CAD screenshot of the rotary base with exploded view
• - Adjusted tolerances by 0.2mm based on real-world testing with the 608 bearings to ensure they fit tightly without too much friction.
  📷 Recommended: Close-up of Lazy Susan with bearing mounted
• - Helped align the vertical acrylic scanning wheel by designing a joint bracket that fits onto the rotary base plate.
  📷 Recommended: Photo of the mounted wheel on the Lazy Susan

🐲 Machine Design (Part 2 of 2)

• - Connected both axis systems mechanically so the scanning object would rotate while the scanner moved. Used screws and acrylic guides.
  📷 Recommended: Video showing synchronized motion
• - Selected the electronics including ULN2003 motor drivers, 28BYJ-48 stepper motors, and the Arduino Uno.
  📷 Recommended: Layout of electronic components before wiring
• - Integrated a small OLED (SSD1306) to display system status and motor angles. Push button was added for scan trigger, and an LED for status.
  📷 Recommended: Close-up photo of OLED working with text
• - Power was delivered via a 9V adapter into a buck converter stepping down to 5V. I ensured safe and consistent delivery to all parts.
  📷 Recommended: Buck converter wiring diagram
• - Did all the wiring, including soldering headers and routing wires in zip channels to avoid tangling or motion blocking.
  📷 Recommended: Top-down photo of the full wiring setup
• - Wrote Arduino code that rotates the stepper motors in sync, displays updates on the OLED, and debounces the scan trigger button.
  📷 Recommended: Screenshot of main Arduino code functions

🐲 What I Learned

• - How to share a CAD workflow with team members using version control and export rules
• - How testing mechanical parts before final cuts can save material and time, especially for rotating/rotary systems
• - That even small issues in gear backlash can affect precision and motion alignment in scanning systems
• - Clean wiring isn't just for looks — it directly prevents friction and system failure in mechanical setups