VEX Robotics Workshop VEX Robotics Workshop Gary Garber Boston University Academy ggarber@bu edu ggarber@bu.edu [email protected]
VEX Robotics WorkshopVEX Robotics Workshop
Gary Garber Boston University Academy
ggarber@bu [email protected]@bu.edu
AgendaAgenda
– Introduction to VEX subsystemsIntroduction to VEX subsystems
– Build a Tumbler
– Programming and ProductsProgramming and Products
– CAD, curriculum, resources
Brief Competition– Brief Competition
Gary GarberGary Garber
• Physics at BostonPhysics at Boston University Academy
• Coach of B.U. Robotics Team for 12 years
• F.I.R.S.T. for 1 yearsy
• VEX for 4 years
• LEGO for 5 yearsy
• FTC for 1 year
Boston UniversityBoston University
• www.burobotics.orgwww.burobotics.org
• Host of the FIRST Boston Regional gCompetition
• Host workshops for FRC, pFTC, and VEX
• Host LEGO, VEX and FTC competitions
F.I.R.S.T.F.I.R.S.T.
www usfirst orgFor Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technologywww.usfirst.org
• www.Bostonfirst.org
of Science and Technology
• $12K startup
• $6K registration fee
• 120 lbs, 5’ tall
FTC – FIRST Tech ChallengeFTC FIRST Tech Challenge
• Midrange platformMidrange platform
• Used VEX for 3 years
• Just switched to TetrixJust switched to Tetrix
• LEGO NXT Brain
• Metal Erector set like• Metal Erector set like parts with metal gears
• Bluetooth WirelessBluetooth Wireless
• $1200
VEX ‐ historyVEX history
• Edubot
• RadioshackRadioshack
• FIRST Tech Challenge
• Innovation First
• www.innovationfirst.com/
• VRC
• VEX Robotics Competition
Local CompetitionsLocal Competitions
• http://robotevents.comhttp://robotevents.com
• Boston University
• QuinsigamondQuinsigamondCommunity College
• Wentworth CollegeWentworth College
• Leominster High School
• WPIWPI
Competition at BUCompetition at BU
Sargent Gym at BU AcademyWorkshop Participants get one team $75 off registration feeSargent Gym at BU Academy team $75 off registration fee
World VEX ChampionshipWorld VEX Championship
300 teams Must qualify at local event300 teams Must qualify at local event
Basic VEX Starter KitBasic VEX Starter Kit
• Structure Metal PartsStructure Metal Parts
• Motion Motors, Gears, Wheels
i• Power Batteries
• Sensors Bumper Switch, Limit Switch
• Control RF Receiver and Transmitter
• Logic MicrocontrollerLogic Microcontroller
• Programming Software
Structure SubsystemStructure Subsystem
The PhysicsThe Physics
• Just Newtonian MechanicsJust Newtonian Mechanics
• Balance and Center of Gravity
• Torque
Motion SubsystemMotion Subsystem
GearsGears
MotorsMotors
ServoServo
WheelsWheels
The PhysicsThe Physics
• Torqueq
• Mechanical Advantage
• PowerPower
• Angular Speed
VEX NotesVEX Notes
• The clutchThe clutch• Non‐axial mounting points, rack and pinion• Gears vs sprockets• Gears vs sprockets• Advanced Gears: Worm, metal, hardenedM t i• Motor repair
• Servo vs Motor• Tank Tread Kit• Omni Wheels
PowerPower
• Robot needsRobot needsrechargeable 1.2 V AA
• NiCd OR NiHd
• Radio Transmitter can use 1.5 V Alkaline
VEX batteriesVEX batteries
• $50 kit$50 kit
• Worth the $$
• One battery charges atOne battery charges at a time
The PhysicsThe Physics
• BatteriesBatteries
• Voltage
• Energy
• Recharging
• Internal Resistance
• Current FlowCurrent Flow
SensorsSensors
The PhysicsThe Physics
• Analog vs DigitalAnalog vs Digital
• Voltage
l i• Ultrasonic sensors
• Light sensors
• Optical Shaft encoders
ControlsControls
Receiver TransmitterReceiver Transmitter
VEX ControlsVEX Controls
• Tank Drive vs Arcade DriveTank Drive vs Arcade Drive
• Trim
l• Battery Voltage
• Tether Port and Cable
• Crystals
• 75 to 76 MHz75 to 76 MHz
The PhysicsThe Physics
• Radio WavesRadio Waves
• Crystal Radios
i• Resonant Frequencies
• Electromagnetic Radiation
LogicLogic
• MicrocontrollerMicrocontroller
• PWM Cables
• JumpersJumpers
• RJ‐10 Cable
Default mode for motorsDefault mode for motors
SensorsSensors
Radio and ProgrammingRadio and Programming
ProgrammingProgramming
• EasyC by Intelitek $50 ($250 for 10 seats)EasyC by Intelitek $50 ($250 for 10 seats)
• http://www.intelitek.com/
b C b C $ 0 ($26 f 2 )• RobotC by CMU $50 ($265 for 12 seats)
• http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu
• MPLab C by Microchip $50 (actually free)
• http://wwwmicrochip com/stellent/idcplg?Idchttp://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en019469&part=SW007002ame en019469&part SW007002
PlatformsPlatforms
Apple OnlyApple Only on MPLab
Vista Only yon EasyC and RobotC
Programming Cable is $50
http://www.vexrobotics.cp //om//vex‐robotics‐programming‐kit.shtml
www.vexrobotics.com/vex‐products.shtmlwww.vexrobotics.com/vex products.shtml
Starter BundlesStarter Bundles
• Protobot $200 No electronics!!!
• Radio Starter $300 Dumb Robot
• Autonomous Control $400 Sensors and programming Kit
• Dual Control $500 BUY THIS!!
Classroom BundlesClassroom Bundles
• Classroom kit $699 Dual Control Kit plus batteries, gear kit, tank tread kit chain and sprockets PWM cables extra metaltank tread kit, chain and sprockets, PWM cables, extra metal and Autodesk Curriculum A Good Buy!
• 4 Pack: $3000 + Autodesk Inventor and Crystal Set NO!!• Advanced Sensor Kit $100 A good buy!• Advanced Drive Kit $250 Buy the pieces you want• Pneumatics Kit $280 Interesting but advanced
Carnegie Mellon Robotics AcademyCarnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
For a classroom 4 kits 20 studentsFor a classroom 4 kits 20 students
• Two VEX classroom kits $700 eachTwo VEX classroom kits $700 each
• Two CMU starter bundles $460 each
O C l d S $ 0• One VEX Crystal Upgrade Set $50
• One VEX advanced sensor kit $100
• Total: $2470
MotionMotion
• Gear KitsGear Kits
• Tank Tread Kits
• Omni WheelsOmni Wheels
• Extra Wheels
• Extra Motors• Extra Motors
• Extra Servos
• Pneumatics• Pneumatics
Extra Metal Many Options Battery Pack is $50Extra Metal Many Options Battery Pack is $50
SensorsLimit Switch
Potentiometer
Light Sensor
Line Tracking Kit
Bumper Switch
Optical Shaft Encoder
Ultrasonic Range Finder
ToolsTools
• Allen Wrenches 3/32” • Safety gogglesAllen Wrenches 3/32 Most bolts
• Allen Wrenches 5/64”
Safety goggles
• Locktite
• Band‐Aids/Collars
• Open Wrench ¼”
Band Aids
• Metal Files
• Electric Screwdriverp
• Open Wrench 11/32”
• Hacksaw
• Electric Screwdriver with 3/32” Allen Bit
• Zip Ties• Vise or clamps
Zip Ties
VEX CADb / d h lwww.vexrobotics.com/vex‐cad.shtml
Solidworks Autodesk InventorSolidworks
• http://www.solidworks.com/sw/education/robotics‐
Autodesk Inventor
• Curriculum is $200
• http://students4.autodesk.cengineering‐programs.htm
• Marie Planchardmplanchard@solidworks com
http://students4.autodesk.com/?lbon=1
• www.solidworksroboticsuniversity.comy
CurriculumCurriculum
• VEX Inventor’s GuideVEX Inventor s Guide
• Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
d k• Autodesk
• Intelitek
Inventor’s Guidewww.vexrobotics.com/vex‐robotics‐downloads.shtml
2005 20082005
• Square Bot integrated into the text with English
2008
• Protobot and Tumbler
• Robot assembly not in thelanguage
• Available in Chinese
Robot assembly not in the text
• Picture based with no words• 73MB PDF • 27MB PDF
Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy
• $500 (free online wo/answer key)$500 (free online wo/answer key)
• Sell VEX packages
S dl i h $680• VEX Super Bundle with sensors $680
• A LOT of information
• Lots of videos
• Emphasizes Robot CEmphasizes Robot C
• http://www.education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/
CMU adviceCMU advice
• Recap of the steps to implement a robotics program:• 1. Purchase robot kits• 2. Purchase robotics curriculum• 3 Load software and curriculum on your computer and• 3. Load software and curriculum on your computer and
school network• 4. Build practice table (optional)
5 S h d l t i i thi b lf d b lli i• 5. Schedule training ‐ this can be selfpaced by enrolling in the free online training, or you can attend formal training.
• 6. Practice building and programming your robot• 7. Recruit older students as mentors/assistants• 8. Prepare lesson plans ‐ comprehensive lesson plans are
included in the Carnegie Mellon VEX curriculum.g
Autodesk
• Comes free with the classroom kitComes free with the classroom kit
• Standalone: $200
h i d k C• Emphasizes Autodesk Inventor CAD
• Overemphasizes Autodesk Inventor CAD
• Still need to purchase Autodesk Inventor
Intelitekb lRobotics Engineering Curriculum
• http://www intelitekdownloads com/REC/http://www.intelitekdownloads.com/REC/
• $1300 for Semester 1
$6300 f S f 0 d i h fi• $6300 for Semester 1 for 10 students with five VEX Starter Kits plus sensors and supplies
• Emphasizes EasyC programming
• You do nothing!g
• Written with WPI
ForumsForums
• wwwvexforum comwww.vexforum.com
• Information
l f b• Examples of robots
• Photos
• Design Tips
Thank youThank you
• Gary Garber@buacademy [email protected]
• www.burobotics.org
k h i h f ll i l i• Workshops in the fall on special topics
• Boston University Qualifier competition in late November or early December
• www.robotevents.orgg