Improve the Grabber's Design
Think about your experience using the Grabber.
Review each of these techniques for building a better Grabber.
As you review each, consider whether your Grabber would be better if you used the engineering technique described to change your build.
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Technique: Doubled-up
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Explanation: Beams are at least doubled so that the Grabber is more rigid and will not bend when picking up heavy objects.
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Changes to current Grabber:
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Shorter in length and fewer pivot points
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All beams are doubled and connected to each other with pins
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Collared shafts and rubber shaft collars are used as pivot points (Red arrows show where)
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Parts added:
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1x8 Beam (Quantity: 2)
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2x Wide 2x2 Corner Connector (Quantity: 1)
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3x Pitch Plastic Capped Shaft (Quantity: 3)
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4x Pitch Plastic Capped Shaft (Quantity: 1)
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Rubber Shaft Collar (Quantity: 4)
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1x2 Connector Pin (Quantity: 4)
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Parts removed or replaced:
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2x Wide 1x2 Offset Corner Connector (Quantity: 1)
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1x1 Connector Pin (Quantity: 1)
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Technique: Offset-center
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Explanation: The pivot points are positioned where they don't make the Grabber open too much or too little.
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Changes to current Grabber:
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Shorter in length and fewer pivot points
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Pivot points away from center to a location where they work best (Red arrows show where)
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Parts added:
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2x Wide 2x2 Corner Connector (Quantity: 1)
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Parts removed or replaced:
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1x6 Beam (Quantity: 2)
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1x12 Beam (Quantity: 2)
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2x Wide 1x2 Offset Corner Connector (Quantity: 1)
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1x1 Connector Pin (Quantity: 7)
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Technique: Cross-support
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Explanation: Pivot points are reinforced so that they are stronger, which makes the Grabber more rigid, stable, and strong.
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Changes to current Grabber:
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Shorter in length and fewer pivot points
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The beams with center pivot points are reinforced using another beam of the same size and standoffs (Red arrows show standoffs)
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Added beams require longer pins
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Parts added:
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2x Wide 2x2 Corner Connector (Quantity: 1)
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1x12 Beam (Quantity: 2)
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1x2 Connector Pin (Quantity: 6)
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1/2x Pitch Standoff (Quantity: 4)
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Parts removed or replaced:
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1x6 Beam (Quantity: 2)
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1x8 Beam (Quantity: 2)
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2x Wide 1x2 Offset Corner Connector (Quantity: 1)
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1x1 Connector Pin (Quantity: 13)
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