Project Title - 3D Printing

By Insia Mittal - April 2026

For my project, I used online tools to design a smoothly functioning mechanical grabber. To do this, I used websites like Onshape and Creality to eventually send the command to the 3D printer.

Sketching  the grabber

The first step to any 3D design is a 2D sketch. For this stage, it is vital to consider dimensions, and lengths of each face to produce an accurate prototype.

Extruding

To make the design 3 dimensional, we must extrude it. This also involves the careful measure of dimensions for the depth of each face.

Also, it is important to extrude it in the correct directions so the measurements are accurate.

This face has been extruded symmetrically at the centre of coordinates, which means it has depth upwards and downwards.

I also learned how to use the extrude feature to remove a part of the face to make a hole.

I then used the extrude feature to make the grey shaft go through the

previously created hole. This shaft is necessary for the grabber to shut in and out, because the shaft moves upwards and downwards which pushes the side connectors outwards and inwards.

Assembly

Next, in the assembling feature, I created ‘Mates’ between each part to ensure they work well together. For example, I used the ‘Revolute’ feature to show circular movement. I used the ‘Slider’ feature to show a sliding movement.

This is the finished assembly product on Onshape.

Preparing  for 3D printing: Creality

Creality is the brand of the 3D printer I was using, so I used the Creality slicer software online.

This software makes the Onshape creation ready to be 3D printed.

I exported the parts on Onshape onto Creality.

Next, I put in all the settings for Creality, like the material details and the printer type so the command could be sent to the 3D printer.

3D Printing:

Now, we load the filament, and let it heat up. Then we allow for the design to print.

Assembling  the pieces:

After the pieces were printed into different parts, I used screws to screw on each piece together.

Here is the finished product.

Throughout this project, I learned how to navigate online tools and softwares and gained hands-on experience in building a mechanical grabber.