Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by bearasauras »

With last year's published trial rules, there would be not penalties for doing that.
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by Ubermensch »

Are you allowed to use an adhesive to "grab" the objects, or must a physical grasping mechanism be used?
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by questionguy »

Anybody have an idea how you could work on this during the summer?
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by harryk »

I've been reading up on programming and imagining design ideas, but I wouldn't suggest buying/building anything because the rules could be very different, though I've been playing with legos to test ideas
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by questionguy »

harryk wrote:I've been reading up on programming and imagining design ideas, but I wouldn't suggest buying/building anything because the rules could be very different, though I've been playing with legos to test ideas
Do you know a programming software that is easy to use?
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by harryk »

I can't really say, but I've mostly been looking at the Parallax BASIC Stamp, its mostly a general controller and there are numerous online resources for code, so you may not have to do anything but plug it in
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by questionguy »

harryk wrote:I can't really say, but I've mostly been looking at the Parallax BASIC Stamp, its mostly a general controller and there are numerous online resources for code, so you may not have to do anything but plug it in
Thanks, I'll check that out
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by ichaelm »

I've used the BASIC stamp before. It is very simple to set up and program. You don't need to know anything about the memory organization or anything to use it. I used the BS1, which only had 14 bytes of user RAM, so for anything complex you'll need a BS2. The downside of using a BASIC stamp as opposed to other MCUs out there is that it has no ADC or DAC capabilities, and it has no way of timing internally other than a function that calls a delay loop, preventing you from doing anything while you wait for, say, your servo pulse. Actually, maybe they added stuff like that for some of the BS2s, I wouldn't know. Also, it has to be programmed in basic, which is a pretty crappy programming language unless you're just starting out. But nevertheless it's a pretty awesome piece of hardware. And way easier for beginners than the mainstream embedded MCUs
Ubermensch wrote:Are you allowed to use an adhesive to "grab" the objects, or must a physical grasping mechanism be used?
The trial rules don't specify, so either would be legal unless the rules changed (which they will, so don't get your hopes up).

By the way, in the trial rules if I remember correctly the arm needed to span a distance of about a meter. For those of you who have lego motors or vex motors or hobby servos at home, try testing a small piece of wood or metal a meter long (like a meterstick) attached to your motor and see if you can lift it? In my experience you need a pretty strong motor, which most servos aren't.
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by questionguy »

For programming the bot, does that mean setting up the exact movements and putting those into the robot, similar to what NXT robots do? I looked more into some software but most of the ones I found cost money, so I'll have to keep searching. Between programming the robot arm and controlling it by radio frequency, such as using a vex kit, which would be most efficient? I'm leaning towards programming because it would provide more accurate results
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Re: Robot Arm B/C [Trial]

Post by blazer »

When programming a custom robot such as a robot arm, you would have to program what inputs control what servos. The trial rules mandate that the robot must be controlled by some kind of remote, just as the sumo bot rules. Also, in the trial rules speed is not emphasized, which would be the main benefit of an autonomous arm. With such fine movements needed, programming an autonomous robot would be difficult; sensors could be used to achieve more precision, but they add to the complexity and price. Plus, the bonus jug's location can change so you would have to account for that. I am always an advocate for vex no matter how you want to build your robot because it is so user-friendly.
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