NASA Torch - Solar Arm

grabcad

Update 9/15/2021 - Added PDF detailing features of subsystem and showing folded arm and size. PDF includes rough calculations of weight based off CAD data.This entry for the NASA TORCH competition features a fully collapsible robot arm with full 5 axis rotation. The arm contains several motors along it's length to allow for Sun Tracking and Solar Panel alignment.To Capture Sunlight, a reflective parabolic fabric focuses sunlight on a capture dome. This dome contains one or more fiber optic lines that are then routed to a solar torch.The Solar Torch has the ability to focus the beam to a small point or cast it over a large area by altering the fiber light lens location.The overall size once folded is .25 m long, 1m wide, and 1.3 m high.The Solar Torch is intended to be modular an allow for plug in at a lunar base, enabling the light gathered by the Fiber Optic Line to be used for various base activities (Plants, living stations, heat, etc).While not shown on the model, small wires are connected to each motor and can be routed down the length of the arm into the rover.Take a look at the PDF for more information.Please note that the rover base is a modified version of Daniel Lorea's model here on GrabCad: Mars Rover -Mars Rover