Shell Spinner

The 3 lb. Shell Spinner is the first project I ever completed as an undergraduate at UCLA. Working in a team of five, I helped design, build, and compete the shell spinner, using friction to rotate the entire aluminum chassis and single-toothed steel weapon. The vertically-mounted brushless weapon motor contacted the inner chassis to spin the entire system, with tape used to enhance friction and bearings in place to help with structural support.

Since my CAD experience was limited as a freshman, more senior members took the lead in creating the original design in Solidworks. However, I refined the design, decreasing weight and cost substantially by redesigning the weapon and changing the geometries of chassis components. I manufactured aluminum chassis components, often times repurposing existing stock and cannibalizing parts from old robots.

Success in the 2019 Cal Robotics Competition was limited, as the weapon struggled to spin back up after impacts and our drive system was weaker than that of our opponents. We were still able to win a match and the robot made it home in (mostly) one piece. This experience served as an excellent introduction to hands-on design and manufacturing and motivated me to pursue more projects through the rest of my time at UCLA.