Hi, I’m Garrison Gay. During my REU program at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, my project focused on the design and evaluation of non-gear-based rotational transmission mechanisms for perpendicular shafts, specifically to enhance the resolution and mechanical efficiency of 3D printers and robotic systems. My work involved comparing several mechanical transmission methods—such as quarter-turn belt drives and guide pulley systems—with a focus on characteristics like noise, vibration, wear, and alignment. I then contributed to the design of a novel quarter-turn belt drive system with a guide pulley, which was engineered to efficiently transmit rotational motion between perpendicular shafts with minimal wear and low friction. This mechanism has potential applications in pairing drive roller outputs with robotic arm joints, offering smoother motion with better alignment and lower maintenance demands compared to traditional gear-based systems.