vex robotics workshop - boston university

VEX Robotics WorkshopVEX Robotics Workshop

Gary Garber Boston University Academy

ggarber@bu eduggarber@bu.edubufirst@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

mplanchard@solidworks.com

• 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 orgGary_Garber@buacademy.org

• 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