| River-Crossing Robots -- Design and Construction, Part 1 |
From "Robot Rivals"
episode DROB-107 |
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The "Surprise Item" The teams are given a "surprise" household mechanical-item from which they may make use of any of the functional parts by incorporating those parts into their 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 an exercise machine.
Activity Log: Harvard University (Hours 1 - 2)
- Harvard considers a bridge-building robot similar to Kentucky's design, but decides on a more efficient design: a three-segment robot with an actuator in the center segment that can extend and then contract to span the gap.
- Ben takes their idea to the design board. Two center wheels will power the robot, while wheels on the outer segments will steer its course. A chain-and-gear actuator will adjust the length of the robot so that at least two wheels will always be touching the ground.
- Mike cuts extruded aluminum for Harvard's frame and extension mechanism. He has discovered that the pieces of extruded aluminum interlock and slide against one another without requiring additional hardware.
- Ben drills and threads two holes into a plate so that the steering motor can be directly attached to the body of the robot.
Activity Log: University of Kentucky (Hours 1 - 2)
- After working with several ideas, Kentucky chooses a drawbridge robot that lays its own bridge, crosses the gap, and finally retracts the bridge on the other side.
- Casey Harr fleshes out their bridge-builder on the design board. Two sets of main drive wheels will drive the robot up to the gap. The drawbridge system exhibits a clean sense of lateral symmetry. On the front, motorized pulleys and twine will drop a platform over the gap, and on the back a corresponding device will retract it.
- Casey and his team select the electronics and wire them to the motors. After quick testing, they decide to use a dual output motor for their bridge-building device.
- Rick and Darren drill and cut pieces of extruded aluminum for the chassis of the robot. Some portions will support the motors, while others will support the pulley system.
Expert Corner: Host Chris Chianelli discusses potential hazards and precautions with respect to dealing with metal shavings in the robotic workshop. An inevitable byproduct of robot building is metal shavings. They can take the shape of large spirals, tiny slivers, or flecks resembling sawdust. But they are not sawdust. They are much more dangerous. Though it may appear harmless, this kind of debris must be treated with care, because it may be razor sharp -- or even serrated -- and very capable of piercing flesh. When cleaning them from a work area, always use gloves and protective eyewear, a vacuum, or a wisk broom.
RESOURCES :
Robot Builder's Bonanza
Model: 0071362967
Author: Gordon McComb
Build Your Own Robot!
Model: 1568811020
Author: Karl Lunt
Robots, Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build
Model: 0070328048
Author: John Iovine
Personal Robotics : Real Robots to Construct, Program, and Explore the World
Model: 156881089X
Author: Richard Raucci
Mobile Robots : Inspiration to Implementation
Model: 1568810970
Author: Joseph L. Jones, et al
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