November 29, 2018 | ProgressTH Here is our first entry to our 3D printed opensource tool project — a 3D printed, 5v powered, 9g servo driven, thumb joystick actuated, Arduino Nano controlled electric screwdriver. 

All the files are available here on Thingiverse. It includes a video showing the screwdriver in action and a quick look inside with a few comments on its function. 

It began as an experiment out of curiosity to see if spare parts laying around could be used to turn a set of jeweler's screwdrivers. We had some 400-500 M3 bolts to drive for an upcoming project and thought it would be nice if we could quickly hack together a solution. And we did! 

Yes, we could have taken an hour to go to the store and buy an electric screwdriver, or ordered one online since we had about a week before our big project would begin. but in just one day we designed, printed, and had a functioning prototype that was up to the task. In 2 more days, we had a final prototype, the one you see in the picture above. 

In this picture (just above) you can see the design process from linking up the electronics and the screwdriver to the servo, to several handle designs with the top being the final outcome.

The thing we like about making our own tools is that we can make them exactly as we want, with the exact feel, look, and function. We also learn a lot in the process.  

What's next? We're not really sure. We like this screwdriver so much we're interested in improving it further (speeding up the servo, using a different type of motor altogether, making it cordless, etc.). We're also pretty pleased with what 3D printing enabled us to do here where we'll experiment with some other basic power tools and tool modifications. 

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