Teacher/Mentor Institute

Robot Kit Familiarization

Carolyn BauerJuly 30-31, 2015

We Provide Materials to Build a Robot

Page 2

What Includes Agreement

Returnable Kit

Electronics, Roller Blade Wheel, Pulleys, Returnable Tote, Consumable Tote, and Inventory sheet ~$900

Loaned to school, must be returned at Game Day in good condition or by early February if loan form completed.

Consumable Kit

Plywood, PVC pipes, Plastic, Aluminum, Springs, Screws, Bolts, Hinge, Tape, etc. and Inventory sheet ~$250

May return any leftover material by early February – helps reduce our cost

Game Field Pieces

A sample of some of the objects the robot is expected to carry in 2015 game

May return any leftover pieces by early February

Software License

Robot control and design software options

Varies by Software License. One optional license requires low cost

Page 3

Returnable Kit

Provided to you in a red tote with a kit number at Kickoff with kit loan form

Use the returnable kit items carefully – we inventory, test, refurbish & use next year

Return the red tote and all the contents Do an inventory immediately after

Kickoff! Do it again before you return the kit to

us! You will be charged for damaged / lost

items

Returnable Kit List

Reference Returnable Kit Photo Guide - NEW

BEST Control System Kit Joystick, Cortex Microcontroller, batteries &

chargers, NEW communication keys Large / small motors, motor controllers Sensor & motor i/f cables, servo power cables Programming hardware, USB A-A cable

BEST Servo Kit 4 Futaba 3003/3004 servos, horns & wires

NEW BEST Motion Components Kit Belts & pulleys & roller blade wheel & axle

Red and Blue TotesPage 4

Consumable Kit

Provided to you in a blue tote with a kit number at Kickoff

Also provided are big items that don’t fit in the tote

Use / keep the Consumable kit Or return unused items to us

Return the blue tote

Page 5

Consumable Kit List

Igus® donated parts

Plastic & metal stock

Wood stock PVC pipes & fittings Hardware Electrical

Slight modifications from previous list

NEW 3 items are removed each year (for a year)

Tapes & adhesives Threaded fasteners Miscellaneous Game field parts –

you’ll need to create some for yourselves

Approved Optional Items you can use

Longer list than before

And they’re all cheap

Page 6

Reference Consumable Kit Photo Guide - NEW

BEST Generic Kit Usage Guide

Issued at Kickoff & includes these topics: Batteries VEX Cortex Microcontroller Operation

Basic Operation, Re-syncing the Controller & Joystick, Tethered Operation

VEX Cortex Microcontroller Connections General, Servo Connections, Motor Connections,

Analog & Digital Inputs Using the Microswitches, Servo Notes Wheel Attachments, Motor Mounting Drive Component Usage

Page 7

Proper Care & Use

Most of this will be in the Generic Kit Usage Guide

Motor mounts protect the motors: at TMI, we’re using pipe hanger tape w/ special precautions: place near gear box & don’t overtighten

Motor controllers protect the motors

Servo power adapter cables protect the servos

DO NOT use tape on returnable items

Return Key Covers to Keys

Use correct Motor and Servo depending on weight lifted

Use your good sense!

Page 8

Motors vs. Servos

Futaba S3003 servo Torque:  2.75 in-lb. Gear Type: Plastic

BEST Small Motor Torque 9.49 in-lb. Gear Type: Metal

BEST Large Motor Torque 23.53 in-lb . Gear Type: Metal

Servos can handle only a fraction

of the load of motors 

Page 9

Charge Batteries

Charge batteries overnight before competitions.

Every team will have power in the pit. Team-owned chargers are not allowed. Have extra 6-packs of AAA batteries as

backup. Plug joystick into a/c adaptor at driver

station. Note battery cable modifications – unplug

at red/black connections. Page 10

At Game Day

Inventory & return your Returnable Kit – including both totes

Or you can keep your kit longer If you don’t want to take the robot apart If you might attend Regional

Competition If you want to show off your robot

Submit a Request for Loan of Returnable Kit Form

Return no later than February 28, 2015 (unless approved by Carolyn or Tami)

Page 11

Software List

Software easyC – program the robot RobotC – program the robot Mathworks Simulink – programming &

simulation software SolidWorks & SolidWorks Training– CAD

software Inspirtech HSM Works – CAM (Computer Aided

Machining) Mathematica Student Version – Computational

Links & keys provided at Kickoff in teacher packet Page 12

Company Product Company Web Site Description

MathWorks Simulink (access to MATLAB)

Graphical editor, customizable block libraries, and solvers for modeling and simulating dynamic system. Build the model, simulate the model, analyze results, manage projects, and connect to hardware.

Wolfram Mathematica Computational Tool - applies intelligent automation in every part of the system, from algorithm selection to plot layout and user interface design, reliable, high-quality results without needing algorithm expertise.

Software tools (1 of 2)

Company

Product Company Web Site Description

intelitek easyC® v4 for Cortex

Robotic programming - easyC’s simple to use graphical interface does all of the syntax and spacing, allowing focus on program flow and design.

Robot C Robot C for Cortex & PIC

Robotics programming - C-based programming language with a Windows environment for writing and debugging programs.

Page 13

Software tools (2 of 2)

Company Product Company Web Site Description

Dassault Systèmes

SolidWorks 3D mechanical CAD, design validation, and data management - Intuitive 3D design puts your focus on innovation, accelerates your design process, higher process efficiency, improved collaboration.

HSM Works HSM Works

Integrated CAM for SolidWorks - Create high-quality toolpaths within minutes, comprehensive 2D and 3D CAD capabilities of SolidWorks mechanical design solutions and quickly extend any knowledge gained to the CAM process.

Inspirtech Computer based training

SolidWorks Training & Tutorials - structured training solution, with examples and exercises, structured in such a way that each topic can be either thoroughly examined or quickly understood, based on the student’s aptitude.

Page 14Available Software Tools

Charge the Batteries

Before you begin any construction, charge the following:

Both 7.2 V batteries

All 6 AAA batteries

Page 15

Kit Paperwork

Returnable Kit List Inventory list inside the red tote

Consumable Kit List Inventory list inside the blue tote

Returnable Kit Agreement You sign & submit at Kickoff to get the kits

Request for Loan of Returnable Kit If you want to keep the kit after Game Day

Generic Kit Usage Guide slightly modified from year to year

Software List – with websites & keys (passwords)Page 16