FIRST Robots: Aim High

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| FIRST Robots

RESEARCH:

THE FIRST

STEP IN

ROBOT

DESIGN

A disciplined design effort begins with thorough research.

Team 16, the Baxter Bomb Squad from Mountain Home,

Arkansas, combined research with creative thinking to

produce a winning robot named Two-Minute Warning.

After an initial brainstorming session to identify the robot’s

performance attributes, the team researched projectile motion

and robot drive trains. This research promoted creativity and

increased the team’s awareness of the underlying concepts

for each component. For example, the projectile motion study

helped the team understand the dynamics of accelerating a

stationary object to launch speed. With this information, the

team determined the amount of power needed to launch balls

into the upper goal. Similarly, research on right-angle drive

trains—where the driving motor is mounted perpendicular to

the wheel’s drive shaft—prompted the team to consider bevel

gears for the drive system.

SCORING ON

THREE WHEELS

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TEAM 16

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Quality Award

Bevel gears allow the drive motor to be

mounted perpendicular to the drive shaft. A

larger beveled gear on the drive shaft reduces

the output motor speed and increases the

produced torque.

Understanding the physics behind a problem is an important first step before solutions

can be generated. For propelling balls into a high goal, the team members must calculate

the time, distance, and height of the ball as a function of launch angle and velocity.

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Three-dimensional views of the robot’s

systems illustrate how individual subsystems are

related to each other. The image can be viewed

on the computer from any perspective, enabling

a complete review of the proposed robot.

Computer Modeling for

High Performance

A methodical process of research,

sketching, computer-aided design,

manufacturing, and assembly con-

tributed to the creation of this award-

winning robot. Robot components were

tested with prototypes, and the results

were applied to improve the perform-

ance of each subsystem. Improvements

were incorporated into the refined ver-

sion of each subsystem and modeled

with Autodesk Inventor computer-aided

design software.

The computer models were very

detailed and provided the team with a

good idea of what the constructed

robot would look like. In addition, the

models became a tool to inspect each

subsystem and identify areas for

improvement. After the models were

reviewed and approved, manufacturing

drawings were created and forwarded

to the machine shop for fabrication. A

close review of the computer model

ensured that parts would work as

designed, eliminating a more costly

trial-and-error evaluation process.

Once the parts were manufactured,

the subsystems were constructed. Each

component was tested and optimized

before being integrated into the actual

robot. The subsystem testing sequence

identified problematic performance

areas, and any needed improvements

were made. Testing each system before

it was installed on the robot reduced

delays that might have otherwise

occurred if each one had to be tested

and improved after being installed on

the robot.

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