April 27, 2006

Using Vex to Supercharge your FRC team

Speakers

Dan Larochelle

Engineering Manager - intelitek

FRC team #40 and FVC team #9

14 years FRC experience Donn Griffith

Engineering Outreach Director - USC

FRC team #343

9 Years FRC experience

Overview

Introductions What is Vex? Who is intelitek FVC program Software Overview Curriculum available for Vex Mini FRC video Questions

Who is intelitek?

Intelitek is a world-leading developer, producer and supplier of industrial CNC machines and technology training solutions.

Our educational solutions are the ideal choice for Pre-Engineering programs, Automation Programs and Middle School and High School Technology Programs.

Our educational and industrial product line covers subjects such as CAD, CAM, CNC, robotics, machine vision, FMS, CIM, hydraulics, pneumatics, PLC, sensors, process control and data acquisition. We also offer e-learning solutions designed to prepare students for careers in technologically advanced business environments.

For over 20 years we have provided comprehensive solutions for training in engineering, mechatronics, automated manufacturing and industrial technologies.

More than 10,500 CNC and 12,500 robots installed worldwide PLTW Skills USA

More than 1,100 CNC machines to industrial accounts World leader in industrial Benchtop VMC’s

250 CIM installations worldwide More than 500 Labs worldwide Over $250 Million installed in North America

Who is intelitek? (continued)

What is Vex?

Vex is a robotics design system that allows students to bring their ideas to life.

The Vex Starter kit has over 500 parts including a configurable chassis, programmable microcontroller, gears, wheels, hardware and much more.

In simple terms - it is like an erector set with a brain.

Why did intelitek choose Vex?

Intelitek was developing a world class robotics curriculum (REC) and needed a platform to base the content on.

After a year long search and lots of testing of various robotic platforms, Vex proved to be the most compete solution at a price point appealing to the educational market.

FIRST Vex Challenge (FVC)

Educating the FRC team members

Robotic Engineering Curriculum (REC) Assumes no prior knowledge of robotics Robotic concepts are introduced and

reinforced with activities and projects. Material is web based and interactive making it

appealing to students. Content is presented in an effective blend of

text and visual materials. easyC integrated in to curriculum

The REC LearnMate Learning Loop

What is easyC?

The Big Test

Goals Enhance current brainstorming techniques with the

Vex platform. Rapid prototype 6 mini robots for to prove out the

validity of our ideas from our initial brainstorming session. 3 shooters and 3 ball dumpers

Limit the build to 2-3 days. Compete the various designs against each other

and see what happens. Test the robustness of the Vex platform and identify

possible limitations.

Mini FRC Video

This video can be downloaded from the intelitek website at

www.intelitekdownloads.com/MiniFRC

What did we learn about the What did we learn about the game?game?

Winning autonomous was a big advantage, it put the losing team in catch up mode.

Good shooting robots are hard to beat.

Shooters missed a lot more than they got in.

Ramp points weighed heavy in low scoring matches.

The field was littered with balls after the first few periods, picking up balls from the floor was key.

A good defensive robot can nullify a good offensive robot, especially while a shooter is shooting!

Mobility was important, the field was crowded and there were lots of places the robot could be pinned

How did it affect our FRC robot?

Focused our design on being effective in autonomous A rapid fire shooter Mobility traded off for

strength – Mechanum wheels

Use the camera to aim shooter to avoid wasting balls

Dual conveyors to harvest balls from both sides

Educated decisions were made early in the design process.

Reduced guessing!

How did it affect our team?

First project in 14 years that involved every single member of an FRC team.

Leveled the playing field enabling younger students to learn and share their ideas with their more experienced teammates.

Higher level of thinking about the game. Game strategies could be played out in real time.

Students were challenged to show their ideas It made believers out of the skeptics that felt that

MiniFRC project was a waste of time. Team bonded together and had a lot of fun.

What did the students learn?

Working in smaller groups allowed more ideas to be developed and tested.

Students not intimidated by the hardware, permitting greater experimentation and innovation.

Student experimented with autonomous programs using easyC

The competitive element of the competition drove them to keep making their robots better.

The engineering design process was dramatically reinforced through competition, especially the concept of design iterations

Shooting balls is FUN!

What did the mentors learn?

Mentors became facilitators, empowering the students. The students had to understand the Aim High Rules.

This led to a better informed team. Leveled the playing field between the boys and the

girls. Robustness of the Vex platform allowed for a direct

correlation of concepts and ideas to our FRC robot. Team spent time testing ideas and strategies in week

1 and 2 rather than week 6 when it is typically too late! Increased comfort level with trying out new ideas. Training prior to kickoff with Vex, easyC and REC

made the project run smoothly.

Was it worth it?

Absolutely!

Increased comfort level with final design Team 40’s most advanced design to date

Great team building exercise. Increased student knowledge and awareness Surprise! – BAE regional confirmed most of our

Mini FRC findings

Would we do it again?Would we do it again?

Yes! …..but

Get familiar with all the accessories and options for the Vex platform

Build and test various drive trains before kickoff

Set firm dates for mini completion – know when to end the mini robots and start the big one.

Integrate more sensors and programming into the mini designs

Questions?