| All-Terrain Robots -- Design and Construction, Part 1 |
From "Robot Rivals"
episode DROB-108 |
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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 5-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 a desktop copy-machine.
Activity Log: Purdue (Hours 1 - 2)
- With Ross at the design board, Purdue develops a crude robot with two main drive wheels up front, skids in the back, and a pair of rotating claws to throw itself out of the tougher terrain.
- Ross begins construction of the drive assembly, while Chris scours the copier for parts.
- Joe drills 1/4th-inch holes in the 20-tooth sprockets. The sprockets will act as attachment devices, linking the output shaft of the motor to the claw arm. He uses a tap to thread each 1/4th-inch hole.
- Purdue attaches the drive motors and wheels to a 16-inch piece of extruded aluminum and begins early testing. They must find a balance between having both the speed and the control to win.
Activity Log: University of Utah (Hours 1 - 2)
- Utah draws up plans for a more sophisticated six-legged walker with two main drive motors and a chain assembly that will connect each leg to a series of sprockets.
- Ben gathers all the basic components Utah will need. The motor-drives a keyed shaft, the shaft attaches to a sprocket whose teeth drive a chain, and the chain actuates more sprockets and the legs of the walking machine.
- Dan cuts the extruded aluminum for the frame and legs of the walker, while Ben marks the sprockets for drilling. The holes will make room for bolts that will actuate the legs.
Expert Corner Brian discusses some of the means whereby robots are given the power to move from place to place -- otherwise known as locomotion. Locomotion is the act or power of moving from point A to point B, and it can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Wheels, tank treads, flippers, slithering movements and legs are all designed to this end. Biological life as well as robotics capitalizes on many of these techniques to achieve locomotion.
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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