| Robo-Soccer -- Design and Construction, Part 1 |
From "Robot Rivals"
episode DROB-101 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
The Surprise Item The teams are given a household item from which they may make use of any of the item's functional parts. They are allowed to incororate any of those parts into their robot in any way that they like -- as long as each part used is actually functional in the finished robot. The team that makes use of the most functional parts receives a 10-second head-start in the competition that takes place at the end of the design and construction period. The surprise item for today's competition is a1970s-era household sewing machine (figure A).
Activity Log: Virginia Tech (Hours 1 - 2)
- Virginia Tech sketched a design for a box-shaped robot with two main drive wheels attached to a metal frame and two gripper wheels on front (figure B). The intent of the gripper wheels is to grab the balls and bring them inside the robot structure. The wheels would then reverse to propel the ball into the goal.
- Chris and Ian work on soldering the wiring for the shooter mechanism. The team decides to test their shooting mechanism first by building a test model. To do, the first solder together a wire and terminal from a battery and right angle motor. Six-inch rubber wheels are attached to the motor. This is attached to a scrap metal piece. A test is performed to see if the ball will be sucked up by the wheels and is successful.
- Ian searches for elements in the sewing machine that might be incorporated into the design. He explores possible uses for the sewing machine's electric motor, gears and belt-drive system (figure C).
Activity Log: Georgia Tech (Hours 1 - 2)
- The Georgia Tech team sketched a design for a robot with two wheels attached to a metal frame. They subsequently added gripper wheels to suck the soccer balls up and a aluminum holding bin to house the soccer balls. A shooting mechanism would be addressed later in the day.
- While Steven and Brian work on the basic design, Daniel disassembles the sewing machine in an effort to identify parts that might be incorporated into the robot.
Expert Corner Buzz Dawson discusses the importance of reliable wiring and soldering. One of the most common causes of robot failure is improper wiring. Wiring is very important. It allows power and information to flow through from the brains and power source down to the working parts of the robot -- much like the human brain sends electrical impulses throughout the body via the nervous system. The common technique for connecting wires in a robot is to use solder. Solder is a mixture of lead and tin. To solder, a process called "tinning" the wire is done first. Tinning simply consists of putting al little bit of solder on the wire (figure D) before joining it to the circuit board. This makes the wire attach onto the circuit board more quickly and easily. A properly made solder-connection is stable and tight connection that is unlikely to fail (figure E). Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses or other eye protection when soldering.
RESOURCES :
Build Your Own Robot!
Model: 1568811020
Author: Karl Lunt
Robots, Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build
Model: 0070328048
Author: John Iovine
Mobile Robots : Inspiration to Implementation
Model: 1568810970
Author: Joseph L. Jones, et al
Special Thanks for Robot Rivals 100 series
The Robot Store
provided various robotic components for Robot Rivals.
www.robotstore.com
IFI Robotics
makers of the "Isaac 32" control system.
www.ifirobotics.com
NPC Robotics
provided wheels and motors for Robot Rivals.
www.npcrobotics.com
Robotic Power Solutions
provided battery packs.
www.battlepack.com
Parallax Inc.
Provided microprocessors, on-board robotic cameras, autonoumous programming.
www.parallaxinc.com
Hobbico
provided Futaba control system.
www.hobbico.com
Alloy Frame Systems
provided extruded-aluminum frame materials.
www.alloyframesystems.com
SMC Corporation of America
provided pneumatic systems.
www.smcusa.com
Team Delta
provided wiring kits and electrical wiring.
www.teamdelta.com
Radio Shack
provided component cabinets.
www.radioshack.com
Campbell Hausfeld Tools
provided pneumatic tools and compressor used on Robot Rivals.
www.campbellhausfeld.com
Delta Machinery
provided tools used on Robot Rivals.
www.deltawoodworking.com
Porter Cable
provided tools used on Robot Rivals.
www.porter-cable.com
Waterloo Industries
provided tool chests used on Robot Rivals.
www.waterlooindustries.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
