Mechanical Motion: Sumobot Assignment

This project was presented by instructor Rick Kirkpatrick, DTTO president, during the Design and Technology Ministry Courses. Both this write up and the project appearing in the following photographs and diagrams were completed by Cheryl Lovell, 1'st Vice President, while taking Rick's course.

Situation:
Robots are machines used by people to perform dangerous or hazardous tasks. There is a large demand, by business for designers who have the ability to make use of the forces and materials available to design robots which can perform many different tasks.

Problem:
Design and build a remote controlled robot that is capable of pushing another robot out of 1.5 meter circle ring using specified provided materials:


2 DC motors
900 mm jinks wood
600 mm of .6cm dowel
2 sets plastic gears
450 x 300 cm piece of bristol board
10 elastics
paper gussets
600 mm steel welding rod
wheels made of found materials
other found materials for bonding, decorating or enhancing the design made or purchased switches
6 volt power source

Things to consider:

1. What found materials can be used to construct wheels?
2. How do I achieve maximum power with gears provided?
3. What size will it need to be, based on amount of materials supplied?
4. How will the pieces fit together?
5. Do I make or purchase switches?
6. How will this robot maintain balance when meeting other forces?


The Value Of This Activity:
As students work on this assignment they will:

i) work in a group, as a design team, to solve problems, and learn how to keep a log of their part in the team's work (like professional designers).
ii) enter deeper into the world of robots and cybernetics -the science of systems of control and communication in living things and machines.
iii) work with a range of materials and bring these together in an active display.
iv) develop a greater understanding of gearing systems and motion.
v) recognize the value in using such knowledge. (ie. exploration of hazard areas like Mars, mines, poisonous gas leaks etc.)

Grades:
This project is suitable for students from grade 7 to OAC.

Grouping:
This challenge is best suited for groups of 3-4 people.

Time:
It is recommend a group of students be given 15 to 25 hours to complete this task.

Integration:
This unit lends itself to a great deal of integration including:

math - gear ratios, measurements, weights
science/physics -friction, balance, gear trains
technology - materials and structures
language arts - technical writing, research skill development
self and society - cybernetics
arts - elements of design.

Research and Planning
It is imperative that students do a great deal of research and planning both initially and throughout this assignment. They will need to explore mechanisms and control systems and to experiment with alternate designs before deciding on a final proposal. Some resources for research are:

Books
-Design and Technology by Browning et al. ISBN 0-07-549650-X
-Design and Technology by Colin et al. ISBN 0-17-448162-4
-The Robot Builders Bonanza by G. McComb ISBN 0-8306-28002
Internet
-Search AltaVista, Lycos, Yahoo etc. using key words: 'robots', 'robots: educational', 'robot:walkers', 'robot:kits', 'walking machines'
-Robot Wars: http://www.cybercom.net/~alindsey/flipper.html
-Some Robots Kit Suppliers
http://robotstore.com/
http://www.sciencekits.com/create.htm
http://agora.rdrop.com/users/marvin/otherkit.htm
http://www.lynxmotion.com/
http://www.robix.com/
-Robot FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/robotics-faq/TOC.html
-Robot Builder's Resources
http://www.robotics.com/resource.html

Design Considerations:
These areas will require your guidance for the students in your class.

i) Gear Train - Which layout system provides the motion to move a load forward?
ii) Function Before Form -Is this a valuable point? Encourage students to try simplest designs first, then they can try more exotic efforts.
iii) Wheels - How many wheels will produce the best motion? The number, shape and material can greatly alter the speed and friction.
iv) Creative Fastening - It can be difficult deciding which method of fastening things together is best to use, especially when using a wide range of construction materials. (ie hot glue, binding, duct or electrical tape, nails or screws.)
v) Materials - Weight is a major consideration. Flexibility is another. This project could be accomplished relatively inexpensively with more found materials (ie. switches) or if time is a consideration more purchased materials could be incorporated.

Conclusions:

i) You will be delightfully surprised to see the wide variety of results from this challenge. Each presented result was unique in many ways. Equal learning value was gained from the sharing of each person's model. I have attached to this report a schematic drawing and a picture of my finished design.
ii) This challenge could be run as a program promotional event? Students from several classes or schools could work on this challenge and come together for a large group display. Open House, Parents Night, Education Week and other Special Events are perfect opportunities to share with the community the value of the Design and Technology Program. Superintendents or perhaps a board members could be one of the judges. The enthusiasm of the students, as well as the work they demonstrate could convince everyone present that education today is a wonderful experience.



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Last Updated: September 8,1998
E-mail comments to cherlove@wincom.net

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