DIY Network

Robo-Soccer -- Design and Construction, Part 2 From "Robot Rivals" episode DROB-101

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Georgia Tech's team-members select from a well-stocked supply of parts and materials used for building robots. The size of the ball is gauged when designing the ball-trap. Georgia Tech assembles their motor housing. Virginia Tech works on their drive-train assembly. Georgia Tech begins work on the launching apparatus. A thread-tapper is used to create threads in the extruded-aluminum components. Georgia Tech begins work on the wheels and... ...the chain drive for their robot. Nicad batteries are used to power these robots.

With the preliminary designs worked out, work gets fully underway on constructing the components of the robots.

Activity Log: Georgia Tech (Hours 3 - 4)

• The drive-train housing is built. Two pieces of steel angle-iron are cut to a length of approximately 1 foot. Each piece is attached to a pre-assembled motor.
  
  
  
• To keep the wheels from turning out in the drive train, two pieces of steel strapping are cut to approximately 6 inches and placed crosswise on top of the drive train to form an X. Bolts are used to secure the structure.
  
  
  
• Wheels are attached to the drive train motors with galvanized bolts and washers.
  
  
  
• Extruded aluminum pieces are cut to one large and two small pieces. The two small pieces are attached to one end of the large piece with aluminum connectors, about six inches apart. They are secured with a piece of steel strapping. A motor is bolted to the other end of the large piece. The previous step is repeated and attached to the other piece to form the "ball chucker".

Activity Log: Virginia Tech (Hours 3 - 4)

• To test out their containment area, they take a sheet of aluminum and encase the area around the shooting mechanism. This successfully holds the balls in place.
  
  
  
• The drive train is built. Two pieces of extruded aluminum are cut to approx. 10 inches. They are attached parallel to each other to two pre-assembled motors with wheels using aluminum connectors, approx. 6 inches apart. This forms a differential steering device, which means each wheel is controlled separately.
  
  
  
• Two more pieces of extruded aluminum are cut to approx. 1 foot. They are attached to the drive train with connectors parallel to each other at opposite ends of the wheels.
  
  
  
• From the sewing machine, gears, AC motor-switch, pulleys, wires, and connectors are salvaged for use on the robot.

Brian discusses the basics of batteries and electric current. Not all batteries are the same. Different types of batteries are used for different purposes. Car batteries, for example, provide lots of power, while small AA batteries produce only a small charge. little power. To power a robot, Nicad packs, like those from Robotic Power Solutions, are the most suitable.

Heavy gauge wiring is used for critical connections. The flow of current can, in one way, be though of as analogous to water running through a pipe or garden hose: the bigger the pipe, the more water can flow through. Likewise, the bigger the wire, the more power can be delivered, and the more reliable the signal.

RESOURCES :

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

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