ArcheoRov - a 3D printed underwater vehicle

Ran across this on Twitter today:
http://3dprintwire.com/2017/01/archeorov-a-3d-printed-underwater-vehicle-that-captures-images-at-100-meter-depths-3ders-org-blog/

Based around BR components.

More here on the project website: http://archeorov.witlab.io/

@schoonerlabs,
The Thrusters, WTCs, End Caps, and Lights appear to be BR Products.
Is the Frame possibly 3D printed?
I find it hard to believe that it would be cost effective to try and 3D print WTCs that could withstand the pressure at 100 meters vs a good quality acrylic tube?
Regards,
TCIII AVD

It’s hard to tell, from what I could see it looked like standard acrylic tubes as well. The battery tubes look to be BR.
I’d say only the frame to hold it together is 3D printed.

@schoonerlabs,
I agree.
Regards,
TCIII AVD

I might be blind, but I didn’t see what material they printed it out of. ABS? PLA? or something else.

hi all,
yes, the ArcheoROV prototype is made with cylinders, end-cap, thrusters and lights from BR. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

All the rest was custom built to fit the needs of the archeologists who wanted a transportable ROV for their underwater expeditions in remote locations. The frame holding together the cylinders and thrusters is 3D printed in Colofabb XT PHA in the Witlab makerspace, while the electronics support inside the cylinders is a mix between 3D printed pieces and laser-cut plexiglass. The choice to 3D print some parts was mainly to speed up the development of the prototype. We will share shortly all the designs and BOM on github, once finalized, for others to prototype.

Electronics - as from BR and OpenROV- is based on Beaglebone Black plus custom made interface electronics and the usual sensors suite. Control software is instead based on ROS, and it was built from zero (python, C++) to fit the special needs of this project. Video is based on double Full HD cameras for navigation and bottom surveys.

We do have a “macgyver” buoy for wifi link to the remote control base with a GUI and control software so far made in Processing.

We tested the ArcheoROV this summer on the sea and on nearby high mountains lakes; so far all fine.

If you have any further questions, or what to just share your ideas with us, let us know, we would love to hear from you. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

Emanuele & ArcheoROV Team
archeorov@Witlab.io

https://twitter.com/HelloWitLab

1 Like

@witlab,
Very impressive to say the least.:slight_smile:
Regards,
TCIII AVD

@witlab Be interested to know more on the wireless buoy setup your have.