| Earth-Moving Robots -- Design and Construction, Part 1 |
From "Robot Rivals"
episode DROB-111 |
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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 a washer and dryer set.
Activity Log: Virginia Tech (Hours 1 - 2)
- When the surprise household item is revealed, the team immediately finds uses in the sheet metal and hinges for their scooping mechanism.
- Graham sketches their robot on the design board. It is a clean and simple design with a four-wheel-drive chassis and a four-bar scooping mechanism.
- Ian cuts extruded aluminum that Graham uses to build the base frame and connect the motors and wheels. This structure will support the four-bar linkage.
- Ian and Buzz continue to search the washer and dryer for usable parts to win a five-second advantage in the competition.
Activity Log: Purdue (Hours 1 - 2)
- Purdue quickly begins to pry into the surprise household item: a washer and dryer set.
- Ross fills in the details of their robot on the design board. It will use a front drive system to approach the pile of mulch. A paddle wheel will scoop mulch underneath it, up a ramp, and into the hopper. Finally, a pneumatic system will dump the hopper's payload.
- Purdue gets to work. Brian removes sections of sheet metal from the washer and dryer using a pneumatic nibbler. Ross constructs the frame for the hopper using extruded aluminum, angled brackets, Allen wrench bolts, and wing nuts.
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
Sensors for Mobile Robots : Theory and Application
Model: 1568810482
Author: H.R. Everett
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
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