My Robotic Arm
Preliminary research:
Before we could begin constructing a robotic arm, both Owen and I had to conduct preliminary research to discover what a robotic arm is, it's construction, uses in the automated industry and history. By researching these components, we would have a greater knowledge of the robotic arm, and this will assist us in creating our own model.
By researching the history of the robotic arm we can apply the advancements of the robotic arm over time to the structure and design of our own robotic arm.
By researching the uses of robotic arms we gained a sense of what a robotic arm does and the style of tasks that our robot would have to perform.
And by researching the construction of the robotic arm we could understand the components needed to make our robot successful.
Problem definition:
Our task was to build a robotic arm made out of lego and programmed using the lego mind-storm program, that could transport a small rubber tyre from one position to another. The robot then had to stack as many rubber tyres onto that tyre as possible before either the arm fails of the tyre stack falls over. This replicates a real-life situation as in auto-manufacturing companies robotic arms can be used to stack real tyres.
Requirements report:
Aim:
The aim was to create a robotic arm that is able to stack small rubber tyres in a pile using commands input by the user. The Robotic arm must be made out of lego and it must be programmed using the lego mind-storm program.
The robotic arm must also be consistent so that the user can stack the tyres almost every time.
Objectives:
The robotic arm must be built in approximately 2 weeks maximum, this is because we were allocated 5 weeks to complete the entire task and there are two equal sections. The other 3 weeks are to be allocated for both the automated manufacturing system and documentation. Therefore the design must be small, simple and easy to program. The robot must be consistent and the controls must be simple and reliable. Photographs must be taken of the progress in building the robot so that it's design can later be documented.
Data/information:
- Programming commands
Information processes:
- Collecting
The robotic arm will collect commands using button sensors.
- Organising
This push of a button is manipulated so that the robot is given a task
- Displaying
The Robotic arm then completes the task
Information technology
- Lego mind-storm kit and expansion kit
- Lego mind-storm program
Project management plan:
The robotic arm project will not only educate Engadine High School students about the design, uses and history of the robotic arm but it will also enable them to use their own creativity and knowledge to create a robotic arm of their own. They can test this robotic arm to asses their design through the task of stacking tyres. The project will last a total of 2 weeks including design, construction and testing. The robotic arm will be created using the lego mind-storm kits. Both Owen and I will have an equal role in the creation and construction of all ideas and aspects of the robotic arm.
Possible solutions:
1) Driving robotic arm:
A robotic arm could be created that either by using wheels or tracks could drive around to collect objects in different areas. This would enable the arm to be smaller.
2) Stationary rotating robotic arm
This robotic arm stays in the same position and therefore has to rotate and reach to grab objects in different positions.
3) Moving Robotic arm
A robotic arm could be created so that either by using a track or another method, could move in one direction forwards and backwards, or side to side. This would enable the arm to not have to rotate but it would still have to reach to grab an object.
Feasibility study:
Solution 1)
Technical:
For solution 1 we require:
- At least 4 large motors
- 1 small motor
- 2 extra button sensors
- Lego mind-storm program
-Lego CPU
Schedule:
In total we have 2 weeks to complete the robotic arm and all other components associated with it. The driving robotic arm would be the most difficult to both construct and program therefore it would take longer to build and therefore it may be difficult to both plan and build this design in the desired time-frame. It could still be done but the finished product may not be optimal to what has been originally designed.
Economical:
All methods are of no cost to both Owen and I as the mind-storm kits are property of the school.
Organisational:
Solution one would be developed using rapid development, this means there is little or no planning before the prototype is built. Our robotic arm would be built very quickly this way to address the time schedule. The robotic arm can then be tested and therefore and issues can be solved. This is done until the prototype works perfectly. The prototype will be tested by collecting and stacking tyres, which is it's ultimate goal.
Solution 2)
Technical:
For solution 2 we require:
- 3 large motors
- 1 small motor
- 2 extra button sensors
- Lego mind-storm program
- Lego CPU
Schedule:
Solution two is definitely the fastest and easiest method. It involves a much more easier construction design and also will be easier to program. It however, will be poorer at performing the task of stacking tyres as it is a simpler and less maneuverable design.
Economical:
All methods are of no cost to both Owen and I as the mind-storm kits are property of the school.
Organisational:
Solution two would also be developed using rapid development, this means there is little or no planning before the prototype is built. Our robotic arm would be built very quickly this way to address the time schedule. The robotic arm can then be tested and therefore and issues can be solved. This is done until the prototype works perfectly. The prototype will be tested by collecting and stacking tyres, which is it's ultimate goal.
Solution 3)
Technical:
For solution 3 we require:
- 2 large motors
- 2 small motors
- at least 2 extra button sensors
- A track
- Lego mind-storm program
- Lego CPU
Schedule:
Like solution one, adding a track system to the robotic arm would be both difficult and time consuming. It would be difficult to fit this method into the desires 2 week schedule as the physical design of the robot is much more difficult than the standard stationary robotic arm.
Economical:
All methods are of no cost to both Owen and I as the mind-storm kits are property of the school.
Organisational:
Solution three would again, be developed using rapid development, this means there is little or no planning before the prototype is built. Our robotic arm would be built very quickly this way to address the time schedule. The robotic arm can then be tested and therefore and issues can be solved. This is done until the prototype works perfectly. The prototype will be tested by collecting and stacking tyres, which is it's ultimate goal.
Analysis report:
All three solutions to the robotic arm issue are very similar. But the only thing that differentiates them is primarily the time in which they all would take to execute, and also the efficiency of their final use. To make a decision on which arm you prefer, you must consider whether you would like to choose a simple arm that would fit easily into the time frame (solution 2), or a more complex and effective arm that may not fit into the desired time frame, but will perform better (solution 1 and 3). Either way all solutions will succeed in the task of stacking tyres.
Recommendation of solutions:
I would recommend solution number 2 primarily because it is much easier and simple and it will also fit more easily into the desired time frame. I have chosen this method as this is the first time both Owen and I have ever experimented with both the lego mind-storm technology and robotic arm technology in general. Choosing a safer option like option 2 will still successfully complete the task of stacking tyres and will also allow extra time in the schedule in case errors or issues arise.
Design specifications:
The suggested robotic arm will consist of a wide, square shaped base this is where the main CPU unit will sit on. The robotic arm will branch out from this unit. A large motor will be attached onto the CPU on it's side, this will be responsible for the rotation of the entire arm. Two other large motors will be added off of this large motor to form the reaching section of the arm. This will be responsible for both stretching out to reach objects far away, and also lifting objects that have been grabbed. A small motor needs to be attached to the end of the arm to control the opening and closing of the claw. Two button sensors must also be attached to the side of the CPU to add more buttons to be used to control the movement of the claw.
Testing procedures:
To test the robotic arm it will be tested to complete it's overall challenge of stacking boxes. Testing will be conducted at each completion of a new prototype model. This process will continue until the robotic arm successfully completes the challenge.
Evaluation:
The robotic arm we created did not succeed, it could move one tyre but it could not stack multiple tyres. This may be because we just ran out of time and also our base was not strong enough. On the other hand if implemented correctly this design has the potential to be a very useful robot that may be used for much more than just stacking tyres such as welding painting e.t.c.
Before we could begin constructing a robotic arm, both Owen and I had to conduct preliminary research to discover what a robotic arm is, it's construction, uses in the automated industry and history. By researching these components, we would have a greater knowledge of the robotic arm, and this will assist us in creating our own model.
By researching the history of the robotic arm we can apply the advancements of the robotic arm over time to the structure and design of our own robotic arm.
By researching the uses of robotic arms we gained a sense of what a robotic arm does and the style of tasks that our robot would have to perform.
And by researching the construction of the robotic arm we could understand the components needed to make our robot successful.
Problem definition:
Our task was to build a robotic arm made out of lego and programmed using the lego mind-storm program, that could transport a small rubber tyre from one position to another. The robot then had to stack as many rubber tyres onto that tyre as possible before either the arm fails of the tyre stack falls over. This replicates a real-life situation as in auto-manufacturing companies robotic arms can be used to stack real tyres.
Requirements report:
Aim:
The aim was to create a robotic arm that is able to stack small rubber tyres in a pile using commands input by the user. The Robotic arm must be made out of lego and it must be programmed using the lego mind-storm program.
The robotic arm must also be consistent so that the user can stack the tyres almost every time.
Objectives:
The robotic arm must be built in approximately 2 weeks maximum, this is because we were allocated 5 weeks to complete the entire task and there are two equal sections. The other 3 weeks are to be allocated for both the automated manufacturing system and documentation. Therefore the design must be small, simple and easy to program. The robot must be consistent and the controls must be simple and reliable. Photographs must be taken of the progress in building the robot so that it's design can later be documented.
Data/information:
- Programming commands
Information processes:
- Collecting
The robotic arm will collect commands using button sensors.
- Organising
This push of a button is manipulated so that the robot is given a task
- Displaying
The Robotic arm then completes the task
Information technology
- Lego mind-storm kit and expansion kit
- Lego mind-storm program
Project management plan:
The robotic arm project will not only educate Engadine High School students about the design, uses and history of the robotic arm but it will also enable them to use their own creativity and knowledge to create a robotic arm of their own. They can test this robotic arm to asses their design through the task of stacking tyres. The project will last a total of 2 weeks including design, construction and testing. The robotic arm will be created using the lego mind-storm kits. Both Owen and I will have an equal role in the creation and construction of all ideas and aspects of the robotic arm.
Possible solutions:
1) Driving robotic arm:
A robotic arm could be created that either by using wheels or tracks could drive around to collect objects in different areas. This would enable the arm to be smaller.
2) Stationary rotating robotic arm
This robotic arm stays in the same position and therefore has to rotate and reach to grab objects in different positions.
3) Moving Robotic arm
A robotic arm could be created so that either by using a track or another method, could move in one direction forwards and backwards, or side to side. This would enable the arm to not have to rotate but it would still have to reach to grab an object.
Feasibility study:
Solution 1)
Technical:
For solution 1 we require:
- At least 4 large motors
- 1 small motor
- 2 extra button sensors
- Lego mind-storm program
-Lego CPU
Schedule:
In total we have 2 weeks to complete the robotic arm and all other components associated with it. The driving robotic arm would be the most difficult to both construct and program therefore it would take longer to build and therefore it may be difficult to both plan and build this design in the desired time-frame. It could still be done but the finished product may not be optimal to what has been originally designed.
Economical:
All methods are of no cost to both Owen and I as the mind-storm kits are property of the school.
Organisational:
Solution one would be developed using rapid development, this means there is little or no planning before the prototype is built. Our robotic arm would be built very quickly this way to address the time schedule. The robotic arm can then be tested and therefore and issues can be solved. This is done until the prototype works perfectly. The prototype will be tested by collecting and stacking tyres, which is it's ultimate goal.
Solution 2)
Technical:
For solution 2 we require:
- 3 large motors
- 1 small motor
- 2 extra button sensors
- Lego mind-storm program
- Lego CPU
Schedule:
Solution two is definitely the fastest and easiest method. It involves a much more easier construction design and also will be easier to program. It however, will be poorer at performing the task of stacking tyres as it is a simpler and less maneuverable design.
Economical:
All methods are of no cost to both Owen and I as the mind-storm kits are property of the school.
Organisational:
Solution two would also be developed using rapid development, this means there is little or no planning before the prototype is built. Our robotic arm would be built very quickly this way to address the time schedule. The robotic arm can then be tested and therefore and issues can be solved. This is done until the prototype works perfectly. The prototype will be tested by collecting and stacking tyres, which is it's ultimate goal.
Solution 3)
Technical:
For solution 3 we require:
- 2 large motors
- 2 small motors
- at least 2 extra button sensors
- A track
- Lego mind-storm program
- Lego CPU
Schedule:
Like solution one, adding a track system to the robotic arm would be both difficult and time consuming. It would be difficult to fit this method into the desires 2 week schedule as the physical design of the robot is much more difficult than the standard stationary robotic arm.
Economical:
All methods are of no cost to both Owen and I as the mind-storm kits are property of the school.
Organisational:
Solution three would again, be developed using rapid development, this means there is little or no planning before the prototype is built. Our robotic arm would be built very quickly this way to address the time schedule. The robotic arm can then be tested and therefore and issues can be solved. This is done until the prototype works perfectly. The prototype will be tested by collecting and stacking tyres, which is it's ultimate goal.
Analysis report:
All three solutions to the robotic arm issue are very similar. But the only thing that differentiates them is primarily the time in which they all would take to execute, and also the efficiency of their final use. To make a decision on which arm you prefer, you must consider whether you would like to choose a simple arm that would fit easily into the time frame (solution 2), or a more complex and effective arm that may not fit into the desired time frame, but will perform better (solution 1 and 3). Either way all solutions will succeed in the task of stacking tyres.
Recommendation of solutions:
I would recommend solution number 2 primarily because it is much easier and simple and it will also fit more easily into the desired time frame. I have chosen this method as this is the first time both Owen and I have ever experimented with both the lego mind-storm technology and robotic arm technology in general. Choosing a safer option like option 2 will still successfully complete the task of stacking tyres and will also allow extra time in the schedule in case errors or issues arise.
Design specifications:
The suggested robotic arm will consist of a wide, square shaped base this is where the main CPU unit will sit on. The robotic arm will branch out from this unit. A large motor will be attached onto the CPU on it's side, this will be responsible for the rotation of the entire arm. Two other large motors will be added off of this large motor to form the reaching section of the arm. This will be responsible for both stretching out to reach objects far away, and also lifting objects that have been grabbed. A small motor needs to be attached to the end of the arm to control the opening and closing of the claw. Two button sensors must also be attached to the side of the CPU to add more buttons to be used to control the movement of the claw.
Testing procedures:
To test the robotic arm it will be tested to complete it's overall challenge of stacking boxes. Testing will be conducted at each completion of a new prototype model. This process will continue until the robotic arm successfully completes the challenge.
Evaluation:
The robotic arm we created did not succeed, it could move one tyre but it could not stack multiple tyres. This may be because we just ran out of time and also our base was not strong enough. On the other hand if implemented correctly this design has the potential to be a very useful robot that may be used for much more than just stacking tyres such as welding painting e.t.c.