Snowplow Model - DEI 20

Introducing the Mini Snowplow 1000. This working snowplow model can plow snow, as the name would suggest. Furthermore, the plow has the ability to tilt up and down to better be able to plow when needed and raise the plow up for transportations. The Mini Snowplow 1000 also has a built in salt dispenser, designed to dispense salt onto the road after it has been plowed. This unit is separately controlled, so you can plow without salt dispensing, and vice versa!

This unit is perfect for a toy, but can also be functional for small areas in (very) light snow. Learn more on how to build the Mini Snowplow 1000 in this Instructable!

• 3D printer
• Laser cutter
• Fusion 360
• Cura
• Tinkercad
• Creality Print
• PLA fillament
• Solder
• Soldering Iron
• Wood (we used MDF) - for laser cutting
• 1 servo
• 3 motors
• 2 motor controllers
• 2 wheels
• 4 gears (3d printed)
• Aurduino IDE board
• Bluetooth module
• Wires
• Hot glue
• Super glue
• Wood glue
• Duct tape
• Assorted tape types
• Paper
• Batteries
• Battery holder
• Switch
• Motor holders (3d printed)

In this step, you should ensure that you have all of the required tools, equipment, and materials needed to successfully complete the project. Also make plans in this step.

In this step, you should design the frame for the body of the vehicle. I used Adobe Illustrator, and then exported this to our laser cutting software where it was cut. This step is crucial for later steps, so be sure to measure accurately and leave holes and space for additions. Attached is the file I created.

Now, using a laser cutter, cut out the frame. Once this is done, use wood glue to assemble the frame.

Ensure to sand out any imperfections for an improved look later on.

Now it is time to design the plow! Using Tinkercad and Fusion 360, design a plow. Ensure you also design a connector that can hold the servo which controls the plow, and attaches it to the body of the plow. At the back of the plow, ensure a section protrudes back slightly, to allow the servo to have room to rotate the plow. Make sure to keep technical drawings and prototypes. It is recommended to print a miniature prototype of the plow prior to printing the full size, to ensure the scale is correct.

Now that you have the 3D printed parts as well as the laser cut body, you can assemble. Using wood glue, tape, superglue, and interlocking grooves, assemble the parts such that they fit together property. Be sure to leave room for the electrical components.

Using the wiring diagram, assemble the electrical components. Also attach a switch on the cable between the battery pack and the rest of the components. You will need to solder this, and solder several other parts as well such as soldering the motors to the wires.

Here is a few things to watch out for when wiring:

Make a Common Ground:

• Ensure all components share a common ground. When testing, i was able to remove one ground cable and it still worked, but make sure GND is all connected.

Motor Controllers:

• ensure the wires are in the right direction. Flip if motor is going backwards.

Servo :

• Connect the control wire to a PWM-capable pin.
• Remember that servos need 3 pins, which differ from motors.

Bluetooth Module:

• Connect BT module’s TX to Arduino’s RX and RX to Arduino’s TX.
• disconnect when uploading code

Analog Write:

• Use PWM pins for controlling motors and servo. These are the pins with the little curved line by the pin. You need to do this for later on when we modify the code to support a 3rd motor.

Battery Pack/Switch:

• Include a switch between the battery pack and circuit.
• Ensure the battery pack meets voltage and current requirements - I first used a switch that was too small, and it caused the entire system to not work.

Wiring and Connections:

• Secure all connections to prevent issues. I did this step at the end, but would recommend you do it as soon as you wire up, so wires don't become loose in testing. Good connections are key.

Now that your electrical and wiring is done, assemble and connect it to the bot itself. Ensure the motors, servos, and controllers are held on well for optimal usability.

No bot is complete without the set of instructions to tell it what to do. Use a premade basecode and then we will need to make some modifications. Also add in the code for the salt dispenser at this step to save time.

Here is a link to a video explaining the code. The link is to a Google Doc, which has a link inside it with the link to the code video. Only some people have access to this doc. Here is the link to the Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-RvWagbok4S5JjVzgLc6sNJbw5-f3_CzCqb0FF4kMlQ/edit?usp=sharing

Using the cord, upload the code to the Arduino in the robot. Once it is uploaded, you can connect it to your device and use the app controller on the Dabble app to control the bot. Be sure to unplug the Bluetooth module while uploading code.

This is also your opportunity to troubleshoot if any issues arise after the upload.

Is you bot all working and code uploaded? Yes? Great, move onto the next step.

Now it's time to add the addition part. In this case, it is a salt dispenser which can dispense salt. I 3D printed both the augur and holder. Also print the motor gear connector which connects the motors to the gears. Design these parts.

Print 4 gears for the augur to connect to the e3rd motor. Design one or use a premade Fusion 360 Gear. The file is in step 10, drill a larger hole in the wood frame of the car as needed to support the gears.

Wire up the third motor and second motor controller. Also print the parts from above.

Here is a few other things to keep in mind, which were not mentioned in the first set of wiring tips in step 6:

Wire Length: Keep wires short to reduce resistance and this also makes it neater and easier to troubleshoot later on.

Color Coding: Use standard color codes (e.g., red for power, black for ground) to easily identify connections. Make signal wire colours different also.

Connector Types: Use connectors and jointers when needed. Don't just put a stripped wire into the Arduino pin, make sure the connector is attached and working. Solder when required.

Wire Types: Use stranded wire for flexibility and solid core wire for connections into the pins. I found the stranded core wired did not fit into the board well, so recommend using solid core.

Routing (Cable Management): Use cable ties or clips to keep wires neatly bundled and organized. I did not do this until the very end, and had issues troubleshooting as a result. It will make troubleshooting easier. I recommend being on top of cable management as you wire up, to reduce confusion and make it more straightforward.

Now that you have all the parts for the addition ready, it is time to assemble. Use a variety of hot glue, super glue, duct tape and paper to attach and assemble the salt dispenser, attach it to the 3rd motor, and build a chute for the salt to exit out of the bottom of the wood vehicle frame. Drill as needed.

YOU'RE DONE! Now its time to test out the bot, have some fun with it and make any last minute adjustments.

I was tight for time when making my model. As a results, there are some improvements I see fit, which are optional here:

• dedicated motor supports/holders - my motors were supported by tape. The 3rd motor in particular was suspended by duct tape. It is recommended to design proper motor holders.
• Better salt chute - design a curved chute for salt to fall out the dispenser - do not make a paper ramp like I did
• make an arm system for the plow - having the servo directly attached to the plow puts strain on it, avoid this by constructing arms which the servo is connected to the plow with, to avoid this direct contact.
• Design/visual tweaks - beatify it, paint it and neaten it up!