BUILD DUSTY
Everything to build the robot: the parts to buy, the 3D printed chassis, and the steps to put it together.
A micro:bit reads two infrared cliff sensors and a whisker switch. A geared brush sweeps crumbs into a pop-out tray. The chassis is printed in PLA on a home 3D printer.
Three steps
A grown-up helps with the printer and the small screws.
- 1
Get the parts
A micro:bit, a motor board, three small motors, wheels, two cliff sensors, switches, a USB-C power bank, M2 screws, and a little soldering. The list has links and prices.
- 2
Print it and put it together
One Build Guide: five print batches (21 pieces, about 103 g of PLA), how to clean up and check each one, then every build step it unlocks, with 3D pictures, where every M2 screw goes, how the brush gears work, and teaching Dusty where the table ends.
3D models
Spin them with a finger or mouse. Download the file to keep a copy; it opens in any web browser with an internet connection.
Every part
All 30 parts, printed and bought. Tap one to see it by itself with its size, or in place on the robot.
Whole robot
The full assembly with measurements. Hide the bought parts to see just the printed ones.
Print files
Set up for the FlashForge Adventurer 5M: PLA, 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.2 mm layers, no supports. Sizes are in millimeters as the part sits on the print bed.
| Part | Qty | Size (mm) | g each | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Base plate 85 × 122 × 28 mm, 36 g, top face down | 1 | 85 × 122 × 28 | 36 | Top face down | STL |
Electronics deck 79 × 77 × 7.5 mm, 17 g, rev a.7: four moto:bit risers | 1 | 79 × 77 × 7.5 | 17 | Rev A.7: four moto:bit risers | STL |
Deck post 6 × 6 × 35 mm, 0.8 g, peg up | 2 | 6 × 6 × 35 | 0.8 | Peg up | STL |
Battery sleeve 35 × 58 × 106 mm, 25 g, standing on its closed end | 1 | 35 × 58 × 106 | 25 | Standing on its closed end | STL |
Keeper bar 6 × 54 × 8 mm, 0.6 g, head down, flat | 1 | 6 × 54 × 8 | 0.6 | Head down, flat | STL |
Brush motor cradle 29 × 26 × 17 mm, 2.1 g | 1 | 29 × 26 × 17 | 2.1 | STL | |
Cradle dowel 3 × 3 × 3 mm, <0.1 g | 2 | 3 × 3 × 3 | <0.1 | STL | |
Crumb tray 57 × 42 × 23 mm, 7.0 g, sloped bottom flat on the bed | 1 | 57 × 42 × 23 | 7.0 | Sloped bottom flat on the bed | STL |
Brush roller 14 × 14 × 52 mm, 7.0 g, standing up | 1 | 14 × 14 × 52 | 7.0 | Standing up | STL |
Roller axle 75 × 4 × 4 mm, 0.9 g, flat side down | 1 | 75 × 4 × 4 | 0.9 | Flat side down | STL |
Axle collar 8 × 8 × 3 mm, 0.2 g | 1 | 8 × 8 × 3 | 0.2 | STL | |
Motor pinion (12 teeth) 11 × 11 × 3 mm, 0.3 g | 1 | 11 × 11 × 3 | 0.3 | STL | |
Compound gear (36 + 10) 30 × 30 × 8 mm, 2.0 g, big gear down | 1 | 30 × 30 × 8 | 2.0 | Big gear down | STL |
Roller gear (18 teeth) 25 × 25 × 4 mm, 1.6 g | 1 | 25 × 25 × 4 | 1.6 | STL | |
Gear washer 8 × 8 × 1 mm, 0.1 g | 1 | 8 × 8 × 1 | 0.1 | STL | |
Right sensor arm 17 × 10 × 27 mm, 0.9 g | 1 | 17 × 10 × 27 | 0.9 | STL | |
Left sensor arm (whisker) 19 × 12 × 27 mm, 1.4 g | 1 | 19 × 12 × 27 | 1.4 | STL |
Also needed and not printed: M2 screws and nuts, female jumper wires, pipe cleaners, a KCD11 mini rocker switch, a 5.5 × 2.1 mm Y splitter and screw-terminal jack, a USB-C power bank, a 90° USB-A adapter, a USB to barrel cable, an in-line power switch, foam tape, and a small zip tie for the brush motor.