| Treasure Hunting Robots -- Design and Construction, Part 1 |
From "Robot Rivals"
episode DROB-112 |
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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 set of beach accessories (plastic pail, shovel, toys, etc.)
Activity Log: Southern Illinois University (Hours 1 - 2)
- Southern Illinois contemplates building a metal detector to distinguish between red and silver pucks, but they decide such a device would cost them too much assembly time. Instead, they plan to use a pneumatic piston to jettison red pucks that their scoop has collected.
- Matt explains the details of their robot at the design board. A sand sifter will gather the pucks and move them to a conveyor belt. As the pucks move back towards the hopper, a pneumatic piston will eject any red pucks.
- Before construction begins, the team collects all the parts and pieces that they will need.
- Mike and Jeff assemble the powerful NPC motors and wheels, while Buzz and Matt consider the best way to assemble the scoop.
- Chris Chianelli gives the team a sample of the sand and the pucks, and then Buzz reveals the surprise household item: beach accessories.
Activity Log: Southern Utah University (Hours 1 - 2)
- Southern Utah decides that their robot needs the large surface area provided by four-wheel drive, a sand-sifting scoop, a hopper, and a metal detector to track down silver pucks.
- As the team begins to organize their building materials, Jared maps out their plan at the design board. The robot will utilize four-wheel-drive differential steering. A metal detector made of coiled wire will be connected to a speaker to provide the team with audio feedback about the location of buried pucks. A detected sliver puck can be deposited into the hopper on the front of the robot by simply raising the scoop.
- Southern Utah takes a look at a sample of the sand and the pucks they will see in the competition.
- Southern Utah takes a quick break, while Brian reveals the surprise household item: beach accessories.
Expert Corner
Buzz discusses the characteristics and capabilities of some common types of batteries. Different machines and devices require different kinds of batteries. A wet cell battery contains liquid electrolyte with lead plates. While powerful enough to run a car, the heavy weight and sulfuric acid spillage that results from such a configuration makes the wet cell battery impractical for robotics. Sealed lead acid batteries contain gelled electrolyte so that no spillage can occur. Regular alkaline batteries are also much safer, but they cannot source enough current for robots. This kind of power can be found in nickel metal-hydride batteries. Another good choice is the lithium ion batteries common in cellular phones and laptop computers. They have a long run time and do not suffer from memory effects. The preferred battery for robots in the Robot Rivals lab is a NiCad, or nickel cadmium battery. Though batteries take many shapes, they have one property in common. They create an electrical charge by producing a chemical reaction.
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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