Design and Fabrication of a Two Degree of Freedom Parallel Robot for Use in Education

With the global shortage of skilled engineers rising, integrating practical engineering education early in academic curricula has become crucial. This study presents the design, modelling, fabrication, and experimental evaluation of a compact two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) parallel robot aimed at educational use. Utilizing accessible technologies such as 3D printing and readily available components, the robot was designed to be affordable and portable. Kinematic modelling was conducted, determining the minimum motor torque requirement to be 0.196 Nm, with selected servos exceeding this specification. Stress analysis confirmed the structural integrity of the robot, showing a maximum stress of 4.3 MPa, well within the safety margin for the chosen material (PLA). Fabrication resulted in a compact device with dimensions of 125 mm × 125 mm and a mass of 0.177 kg, significantly below initial estimations. Experimental testing validated the kinematic model, revealing positional accuracies with average errors of 1.2° and 3.2° for each DOF. The robot demonstrated versatility through interchangeable central platform modules, including a laser pointer and camera. The proposed educational robot offers a practical means to foster engineering interest and enhance STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).