| River-Crossing Robots -- Design and Construction, Part 2 |
From "Robot Rivals"
episode DROB-107 |
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With the preliminary designs worked out, work gets fully underway on constructing the components of the robots. Activity Log: Harvard (Hours 3 - 4)
- Ben modifies the gearboxes so that they will mount easily to the frame. He assembles the gears and installs the wheels.
- Meanwhile, Mike checks that the chain and the motor fit properly onto the frame.
- Trevor constructs the frame for the center segment of the robot. This portion will hold the gearbox and steering wheels.
- Ben and Mike fit the three pieces of aluminum that comprise the slide mechanism and add motors and wheels to each end.
Activity Log: Kentucky (Hours 3 - 4)
- Rick and Darren then assemble the chassis, positioning the two drive motors into a rugged, four-wheel drive configuration.
- Rick and Darren now attach the two sets of drive motors together with long pieces of aluminum. These structural members serve to connect the two sets of wheels and hold the uprights that will support the bridge on either side of the robot.
- Casey connects the speed controllers to the battery packs, the motors, the transmitter, and the receiver and prepares them to be mounted onto the pulley system. A similar system will power the drive train.
- Rick and Darren attach the uprights and cross members and look for a way to connect the pulleys.
Expert Corner Brian discusses some of the basic principles of bridge-building. Bridges are engineering marvels. A simple beam bridge is the easiest way to span a gap. In order to cross greater distances with heavier loads, a beam bridge may be equipped with truss structures, I-beams, girders and other strengthening modifications (figure A). To build their aqueducts, Romans developed the arch system (figure B), whose strength derives from its shape. Not surprisingly, the modern suspension bridge incorporates beams and cables to make the same archway, only upside down. With drive wheels on each side and a frame in the center, robots depend on engineering to solve similar structural problems.
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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