2.3.4 Martian Automation Projects

For the lesson over the next weeks, you are going to use your VEX kits to build and RobotC to program robots

Trouble Shooting Guide for VEX and RobotC

Step 1) Open the worksheet for 2.3.4MartianAutomation@.  Read it all of the way through and make a copy into your GTT Turn in Folder to be turned in at the end of this project.  

Step 2) Watch the video below for an overview of what you will be doing then decide which robot your team is going to build first. 

Step 3) Using your VEX kits and working with your partner, you will build a solution to each of 10 tasks in any order you would like.  Each time you think you have finished, test to make sure it meets all requirements, then call your teacher over for final approval.  The Mechanical Engineer will record an image of the robot, The Computer Engineer will record an image of the program and the Electrical Engineer will explain everything your group did to your teacher. 

2.2.4 Pull Toy Construction

Step 1) Make a copy of 2.2.4 Pull Toy Construction into your GTT Turn in Folder. 

Step 2) This week, you and your partner will need to build a mechanism that takes the rotation of the wheels and converts that mechanical energy into another form to make an entertaining pull toy.  Step by step instructions will not be given, you are to work as a team to create an original design and will be graded using the Pull Toy Construction Rubric. 

Step 3) Each team member is required to do 3 rough sketches of what they would like the pull toy to look like.  You will then describe your ideas to your team and as a group, evaluate each idea based on the criteria your class comes up with.

Step 4) Once you decide upon the "best" design, you will then build and test your design as a team.  The color printer is available for any decorations that may be needed for your final product.

Introduction to the Pull Toy Project
Sorry - Layla is now a year old but in the video I say that she has not yet been born - I have not yet had a chance to redo this video correctly.  
 

2.2.2 Mechanical Gears

Step 1) Make a copy of 2.2.2 Mechanical Gears into your GTT Turn in Folder. 

Step 2) For each set of questions, you will need to build a mechanism similar to the one shown in the picture.  Step by step instructions for each build will not be given, so do the best you can based on the image provided. 

Step 3) Experiment with each build and answer the questions for that build before taking it apart 

Step 4) The videos below show you how basic VEX parts work together and how to build the base platform but will not give you step by step build instructions for the mechanisms you are exploring.

VEX screw sizes and how they are used


VEX metal parts and how they are used


Building the Base Plate

2.2.1 Observing Mechanisms

Step 1) Make a copy of 2.2.1 Observing Mechanisms into your GTT Turn in Folder. 

Step 2) You will need to read the worksheet to answer the questions, the video below just shows you examples of mechanisms that I found.

Step 3) Watch the video below or look up "mechanisms videos" using a search engine like YouTube to see videos of mechanisms similar to those in the conclusion questions of your worksheet.

Step 4) Answer the conclusion questions and turn in your worksheet online using Canvas.

6.1.7 Electricity - Review

Before we move on to the next section, we must first make sure that you understand the basics of electricity - 

To do this I need you to watch a video called 
"Electricity - The Invisible River of Energy"  - now, it says the copyright for this was from 1999, but some of the images shown were definitely from way before then. While watching and listening for the answers to the worksheet for today, see if you can find any references to really old technologies. 

Step 1 - Open 6.1.7 Electricity DVD and make a copy into your GTT Turn in Folder to be turned in before the end of class on Friday

Step 2 - Go to  http://mrjsroom.blogspot.com/p/electricity.html and you will find the DVD broken up into little pieces that should make it easier to find the answers you need. 

Step 3 - Fill in the answers as you watch and listen to the video - double check that all of your answers are correct before submitting the worksheet for grading.

6.2.6 Soldering

Yay! no paperwork for this one - just a printed circuit board which you get to take home with you when you are done.  Please be careful not to lose any pieces - they are small and tend to disappear when they hit the carpet.

Please watch the following video on soldering basics and safety - glasses on at all times

For the lesson today, you are going to strip and solder the ends of two wire, flip it around and help your partner strip and solder the other side.

Step 1) Strip 7-10 mm of insulation to expose the bare metal wire underneath. 

Step 2) Twist the ends together and secure the wires using needle nose pliers or carefully with the diagonal cutters.

Step 3) Use the soldering iron to heat the wires, then apply the solder.  It should be the wires melting the solder, not the soldering iron.

Now it's time to pick your project.


Please watch the following video on soldering printed circuit boards - glasses on at all times