The project updates are as follows : 

The theoretical part:

We wrote detailed documentation on Hackaday

We made a clear list of requirements (goals, components, steps, constraints)

We understood and organized the Arduino code

We started 3D modeling in Fusion 360, working on the three articulated arms

At one point, we had a tiny bit of hope that we could finish the whole thing on time – we got hyped, thinking it might even be the best project in the class.
But since we wanted to do everything ourselves, we discovered that almost every part we designed had some kind of issue: too thin, not fitting the servos, unstable, or just not printable.
3D modeling, which we thought would be pretty straightforward, turned out to be way more complicated – especially when trying to assemble moving mechanical parts.

So we looked for alternatives, checked out 3D models online, and watched a bunch of tutorials.
And then… we realized most realistic models had over a hundred parts – with gears, axis systems, wedges, ball joint supports…
Way too complex for our already packed schedule.

So we made a strategic decision: only keep the main parts needed to simulate the basic functions (mobile base, articulated arm, rotating cabin), and leave out the so-called “secondary” parts.
This helped us focus on the essentials, but it also had a downside: the project won’t be finished in time for the original deadline.

Still, we learned a ton, and the adventure isn’t over. The project is still going, and we’re planning to finish it soon – after exams, when we finally have time again.

Moral of the story:
Building an articulated excavator isn’t just a small DIY thing… but it’s super exciting.