As we proceeded to build our conveyor belt robot (Detailed in the CAD shown), we split up into two main teams. 2 of our main members led the chassis team, and I led the lift team.
Our first step to making this lift was to decide what materials we were using, and how they were being mounted. We decided to use elastic for our tubing, and a combination of garage pulleys and plastic ones that we would make, because not all of them were directly powered by a motor, as each pulley pulled another.
The final prototype can be seen here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyr3TwyTQBY&context=C3b9123fADOEgsToPDskLDHmZoGkpAjNtZp2OKRFMt
After we made that, we made a list of improvements :
1. Improve the PVC pulleys - Elastic popped off numerous times
2. Make elastic more tensioned
3. Move elastic closer together
4. Add guards at the bottom to ensure the ball is centered while traveling up
On our actual robot, we used a lathe to turn plastic pulleys, as opposed to the PVC ones shown in the video. This kept the tubing from popping off several times. We also changed the spacing on the elastic from 2 inches and 6 inches to 2.5 and 5.5, and are planning to add foam guards at the bottom to keep the ball centered.
During the prototyping phase, we kept a drawing of the lift on the board, and a todo list next to it. This way anyone who came to a meeting could work on it regardless of how much they knew about the design. It also meant that the core members working on the chassis could keep track of how far the lift had gotten.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Our design phase
For our design phase, the 2 designs we narrowed it down to were
A. Arm - Rollers at the end to collect balls when the arm is angled down, and to shoot them when the arm is angled up.
B. Conveyor belt - A conveyor belt located at the bottom of the robot, which feeds the balls up to a shooter that rotates left and right.
For both designs, we made detailed drawings, calculations, and prototypes. The arm seemed like a better design, because it could change its height, and could never collect more than 3 balls(which would be a penalty in the game - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13HpbFjZWto). However, it was quite heavy, and would be quite difficult to move up and down. Also it could lead to a lot of tipping, and could make crossing the bumps in the middle significantly harder.
After we thoroughly analyzed both designs, our club came to the consensus that the conveyor belt design would be better. Even though my arm design was ruled out, it still feels good to know that our club decided together, and with everyone informed. I am positive that both designs were adequately modeled and explained to the group, and that the decision we made was a good one.
A. Arm - Rollers at the end to collect balls when the arm is angled down, and to shoot them when the arm is angled up.
B. Conveyor belt - A conveyor belt located at the bottom of the robot, which feeds the balls up to a shooter that rotates left and right.
For both designs, we made detailed drawings, calculations, and prototypes. The arm seemed like a better design, because it could change its height, and could never collect more than 3 balls(which would be a penalty in the game - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13HpbFjZWto). However, it was quite heavy, and would be quite difficult to move up and down. Also it could lead to a lot of tipping, and could make crossing the bumps in the middle significantly harder.
After we thoroughly analyzed both designs, our club came to the consensus that the conveyor belt design would be better. Even though my arm design was ruled out, it still feels good to know that our club decided together, and with everyone informed. I am positive that both designs were adequately modeled and explained to the group, and that the decision we made was a good one.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Communication article recommended by mentor
http://www-cdr.stanford.edu/ICM/
This article outlines the four main steps to an effective communication process. Propose, interpret, critique, and explain.
Propose - This phase occurs early on in our season. During our first week, we brainstorm ideas, simply by drawing basic sketches on the board and outlining the key components to the design. Usually by the end of the first week we have heard about 10-12 designs, and have narrowed it down to 4-5.
Interpret - Many of our members are very adept with programs such as Inventor, and proceed to make very detailed drawings and CADs of the 4-5 designs.
Critique - This is the phase where we move from the paper into real material. This second week is about narrowing it down to 1, maybe 2 designs. We do a lot of calculations, (torque, angles, force), and make prototypes to test our designs in realistic conditions.
Explain - After we have made prototypes and are ready to move on to the "final" product, we make a list of things we should improve on the protos, and make amendments to the design that will improve its performance on the field.
This article outlines the four main steps to an effective communication process. Propose, interpret, critique, and explain.
Propose - This phase occurs early on in our season. During our first week, we brainstorm ideas, simply by drawing basic sketches on the board and outlining the key components to the design. Usually by the end of the first week we have heard about 10-12 designs, and have narrowed it down to 4-5.
Interpret - Many of our members are very adept with programs such as Inventor, and proceed to make very detailed drawings and CADs of the 4-5 designs.
Critique - This is the phase where we move from the paper into real material. This second week is about narrowing it down to 1, maybe 2 designs. We do a lot of calculations, (torque, angles, force), and make prototypes to test our designs in realistic conditions.
Explain - After we have made prototypes and are ready to move on to the "final" product, we make a list of things we should improve on the protos, and make amendments to the design that will improve its performance on the field.
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