3D printed mousetrap
3D printed mousetrap, With this project students of Fontys University (including me) had to design a mousetrap that could be printed with a 3D printer. The assignment was given by Sjef van Gastel.
First we had to define the problem together with our Client. the following demands and wishes came out with this research.
The demands:
Original design
Needs to be 3D printed
needs to be printed with FDM printing material
The mouse can't be harmed
Has to be user friendly and safe
Wishes:
Alarm system when a mouse is catched
Mouse needs to stay alive
Mousetrap has to catch at least one mouse
Has to be usable inside
The mousetrap needs to work mechincally
Concept
After this some research is done about the mouse that has to be caught and ways to catch a mouse. when this was clear we started designing mousetraps. From all the designs we made this was the best idea (my idea).
Improved drawing
The problem with this design was the entering of the mousetrap and the comfortablity of the mousetrap. So I came up with a new idea with less material needed and more comfort for the mouse.
First design
After the drawings some calculations are made for the optimal design. the designing of the mousetrap is done with Siemens NX. The mouse can enter the mousetrap through gate 1. At the end of the tube (at number 2) there is a removable top where some peanut butter or bate can be adjusted. When the mouse reaches the bate the tube tilts so number 2 goes to number 3 and number 1 goes to number 4. At number 4 and the top of the tube at number 1 is a magnet so when the tube moves up it can't goes down anymore and the mouse should be caught.
Prototype
Now the design is ready to be printed. We decided how it should be put in the 3D printer and printed the mousetrap. The magnets where applied and the mousetrap was set outside for a first test.
Video of the working mousetrap
Surprisingly within just one hour the mousetrap already caught a mouse! The mouse wasn’t harmed. and the mousetrap worked good. The mouse was released in a big basket with the mousetrap so a video could be made of the working mousetrap.
filmpje muis gevangen
Conclusion
The 3D Printed Mousetrap project was a great success. The mousetrap is 3D printable, original, mouse friendly, user friendly and the mousetrap works mechanically. The only problem with the design were the fragile support of the tube so I improved the design into the final design.
Final design
