Physics 192
Lab: "The Robot – Day 1"
Name: __________________
I. Objectives: At the end of this activity the student will be able to:
1. Assemble the basic structure for the robot.
2. Attach the batteries through the power switch and test the motors.
3. Begin a journal detailing the robot building process
II. Procedures:
In Your Journal:
Using the diagram as a model, draw a top, bottom and side
1. Screw and glue the motor supports to the
view of the robot. You may cut and paste the drawing
bottom of the platform and mount the two
supplied.
motors.
2. Mount the front wheel, adjusting the
thickness of the block to level the robot.
3. Mount the two batteries securely on the
platform. They should be braced but
removable so that they can be charged.
4. Mount the terminal strip. Drill a convenient
hole through the platform for the 4 motor
wires.
5. Mount the power switch at the rear of the
robot.
6. Prepare the following 30 cm lengths of wire.
3 red, 3 black, 1 white, 1 yellow, 2 green.
7. Attach ends as follows:
1 spade lug and one small tab receptacle to
Begin a running commentary on the construction of the robot.
2 green, 1 white and 1 yellow.
1 spade lug and one large tab receptacle to
2 red and 2 black.
2 spade lugs to 1 red and 1 black.
8. Using a battery, test each motor. Note the
Use the multimeter to measure the voltage and current
terminal that, when connected to +12 volts,
supplied by the battery when the motor is running.
will cause the motor to turn in such a way as Calculate the power supplied.
to drive the robot forward. Mark that
terminal with tape.
9. Wire the motors to the terminal strip as
instructed.
10. Connect the batteries to the power switch as
Draw a diagram of the power switch. State the purpose of
instructed.
the LEDs and fuses.
11. Attach the control switches as directed.
12. Have your instructor check your work.
13. If all is well, turn on the power and
test your robot.
14. Gather your materials for storage. It is your responsibility to keep all of your materials
together. Mark your batteries with tape with your name. Clean up your area. Return
all equipment to its proper place.
Physics 192
Lab: "The Robot – Day 2"
Name: __________________
I. Objectives: At the end of this activity the student will be able to:
1.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Assemble the electronic components to the basic structure of the robot.
Attach the batteries through the power switch and test the robot.
Discuss speed control by pulse width variation.
Plan a method to accomplish the “tennis ball task”.
Plan visual enhancements to the robot, including lighting.
II. Procedures:
In Your Journal:
15. Attach the scorpion controller board and the
receiver to your platform.
16. Wire the scorpion to the terminal strip as
instructed.
3. Wire the receiver to the scorpion as
instructed.
4. Check your wiring carefully and have your
instructor look it over before applying
power to the circuits.
5. Turn on the robot, receiver and transmitter.
The robot should remain motionless. Adjust
the trim controls if necessary. You should
now be able to control the robot from the
transmitter.
6. Practice driving your robot.
Complete the scale drawing of the top of your platform. Be
sure that your drawing reflects how you positioned your
parts, if different from my layout.
7. Measure the maximum straight line
speed of your robot. Measure the
turning radius for the robot.
Include the calculations in your journal.
8. Consider the “tennis ball task” and
prepare list of materials to be
gathered by next week. If time
remains you may begin the
construction of your device this
week.
Include in your narrative a description of possible designs
and indicate how you arrived at a final idea.
9. Consider cosmetic additions to your
robot. Prepare a list of materials to
be gathered. See the next page for a
discussion of lighting.
Include in your narrative a description of possibilities
considered and the final decision that you made.
Include in your narrative for day 2, a description of our
experiment with pulse width speed control.
Include in your narrative a description of any mistakes and
the corrections that you had to make.
10. Gather your materials for storage.
It is your responsibility to keep all of your materials together. Mark all parts, including
the large batteries, with tape with your name. Clean up your area. Return all
equipment to its proper place.
Physics 192
III. A Lighting Experiment:
Consider the Christmas lighting sets that your instructor will show you. These small
bulbs are wired in multiple sets within the main set. Within those smaller sets the
bulbs are wired in series.
1. In the space below, show calculations to determine what voltage is dropped across
each bulb in the set.
2. If your robot runs on 24 volts, how many lights should you hook in series to run them
on the batteries of your robot.
3. With this information in hand, plan a lighting design for your robot.
Physics 192
Lab: "The Robot – Day 3"
Name: __________________
I. Objectives: At the end of this activity the student will be able to:
1. Test and adjust the robot to “drive ready”.
8. Design and construct a “pick-up” to transport a tennis ball.
9. Prepare the robot for judging.
II. Procedures:
In Your Journal:
Include in your narrative for day 3, any comments about the
17. Test your robot to ascertain that it drives to
handling of your robot. Does it track straight? Are there
your satisfaction. Practice going forward,
problems with turning? Going in reverse?
backward, turning right and turning left.
18. Remove the main batteries and put them on
charge.
11. Design and construct a device to allow you
Include design sketches of your device.
to “pick-up” a tennis ball and move it along
with your robot.
12. When the device is complete, replace the
Include a commentary on any problems encountered in
batteries and test the device. If necessary,
constructing and perfecting the device.
make adjustments to the device.
13. Take some time to make your robot look
neat. Assemble and decorate the “body” of
your robot if you are using one. Dress the
wires as neatly as possible. Remember that I
will assess the care with which you
assembled the robot by a visual inspection.
14. Practice driving your robot.
15. Gather your materials for storage. It is your responsibility to keep all of your materials
.
together. Mark all parts, including the large batteries,
with tape with your name. Clean
up your area. Return all equipment to its proper place.
Physics 192
Lab: “The Robot – Day 4 Testing”
I. Objectives: At the end of this activity the student will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Demonstrate the ability to drive the robot around a designated course.
Acquire a tennis ball and carry it to a target space.
Present a completed robot and journal for judging.
Race against other robots for fame and fortune.
II. Procedures:
The grading for the robot will be as follows:
Journal
Visual Assessment
Performance
Competition (today)
50 points
25 points
85 points
25 points
Explanations follow:
Performance will be scored based on your robot tracking the course around the room without
deviating. I will expect the robot to follow the tape line and straddle the tape at all times. If the
rear wheels fail to straddle the tape you will be docked 5 Performance points for each
occurrence. The 85 points will be awarded as follows:
10
5
10
pick up the tennis ball
each successful turn (13 turns – 65 points)
deposit the tennis ball in the target
You will be timed from the beginning of your attempt to acquire the tennis ball until you drop
the ball in the target zone. The fastest time will be awarded 25 points. The next slowest will
receive 20 points, etc.
Failure to complete the course will result in a zero for the Competition score.
III. Off to the Races!
On Monday April 23, in McGuire Hall, all robots will face the tennis ball challenge again on a
large and intricate course. The scoring will be similar to that on today’s course and fabulous
prizes will be awarded!! Speed races will follow the performance competition, and will be held
on a more open course. Robots will compete 2 or more at a time. Fastest time wins!
Physics 192
Score Sheet
Names: _________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Robot Name/Theme: __________________________________
Visual Score: _____________________________
Performance: Acquire: _____________________
Turn 1: ______________________
Turn 7: _________________
Turn 2: ______________________
Turn 8: _________________
Turn 3: ______________________
Turn 9: _________________
Turn 4: ______________________
Turn 10: ________________
Turn 5: ______________________
Turn 11: ________________
Turn 6: ______________________
Turn 12: ________________
Drop: _______________________
Turn 13: ________________
Performance Total: _________________
Timing: _________________________________
Racing Results: Time on course: ____________________
Place in ranking: ___________________
Timing Score: _________________
Journal Score: ________________
Final Total: _____________
Physics 192
Sample Robot Platform Configuration
Motor and wheel placement
Platform
Bottom View
Platform
Top View
Motor
Motor
Motor
Mounting
Plate
h’
Wheel
h’
Caster
Assembly
h