The Mobot Project: Longwood :: essays research papers

The MOBOT Project LongwoodIn modern engineering, a governing bodyatic approach is used in the design,operation, and construction of an endeavor to reach a desired goal. The first trampleof the process employs what is commonly known as the scientific method. Thenext step involves forming an interdisciplinary team of specialists from notonly the various engineering disciplines, but from other fields whose knowledgemay be useful or even necessary to completing the project. This step doesntapply to our project, due the confined nature of the class. Finally,considerations must be taken into account to ensure that the project isefficient as well as approach effective.The goal of the MOBOT Project was to design and build a programmablerobot. The robot had to complete a series of four movements in four givendirections over a distance of at least 6 inches. Power and weight restrictionswere applied to ensure the safety of the students and, more importantly, theteacher. As the goals of the project were made clearer, our group begandiscussing affirmable ideas for the design. There were some disagreements aboutwhether we should take the electro robotic route or the purely electrical one.And after some deep thought, we all agreed that the mechanical way would be thesimplest to build and the most merciful on our pocketbooks. Even though we werecoming up with some good ideas, each design seemed to give birth some majorproblems. One of the reoccurring problems dealt with the synchronization of thedriver motor and the steering system. Finally the team came up with a designthat allowed the drive and steering controls to be independent of one another,but still allowing each one to be linked in time. This design has now becomewhat is known as LONGWOOD.The Longwood is shared into two main parts 1)motion system and 2)logicboard. As the engineer, I was responsible for motion design. Therefore, thatwill be the focus for the remainder of this section.The main components of the m otion system consist of a platform, three wracks, a ramble frame, two motors, and two contact switches. Two of the wheelswere connected to a motor and attached at the face up end of the platform. Thesewheels were only allowed to move simultaneously in either a forward or reversedirection. The third wheel was hooked up to the wheel frame and free to rotateapproximately 45 degrees in either direction. Figure 1.1 shows an illustrationof how the wheel frame works. The wheel frame and third wheel were thenattached to the platform completing the basic assembly.