Lab Schedule During Exam Break

Here is the final schedule for the exam break:

This is the schedule for room 238/239(Robotics)

Wednesday January 13th - Friday January 15th: Lab open from 12:15-4:00PM
Monday January 18th - Friday January 22nd: Lab open from 9:00AM-4:00PM
Monday January 25th: Lab open from 9:00AM-4:00PM

It is my expectation that everyone tries to finish the MecLab duotang (red duotang) by the end of the exam break so that I can give you a second credit in this class.

Final marks are due on January 25th, so anything done before that date will be accepted with no penalty.

THIS IS SKIIIIIILLLLLS!

Welcome to the real world of robotics competition. This year Fowler will be entering a team into the Alberta Skills Competition on May 11-12 in Edmonton.

Initially, I was only going to open the team spaces up to the Intermediate/Advanced group of students but after reading the challenge, I think that we would use some Introductory input as well.

The team itself has four members who can compete, but I am willing to take on some additional group members who would be non-competition team members.

This year's Skills Robotics Challenge can be found here.

Over the next week (November 15th-19th) I will be accepting application to be a part of our Skills team. To apply write a letter explaining why you should be a part of the team.

We will be looking for the following competition roles:

• Mechatronics Manager
• Drive Train Manager
• Wireless Control Systems Manager
• Fabrication Manager

Additionally in your letter specify whether you would be interested in a non-competition role helping the team out with fabrication and testing from now until May. 

Applying for this team is a commitment to be working on this project after school for 1-2 days per week for the rest of the school year and/or to put in a large amount of work time over exam break.

Applications can be emailed to MDWAY@CBE.AB.CA.


Position Roles and Responsibilities:

• Mechatronics Manager
• This year's challenge will require a manipulation device like a mechanical arm. The Mechatronics Manager will be responsible for the design, fabrication and troubleshooting of this arm.
• Key skills include: 
• Research skills in looking for parts to use as a template for manipulator arm. 
• Ability to design and construct prototypes in AutoCAD. 
• Ability to troubleshoot project on the fly at competition.
• Drive Train Manager
• The Drive Train Manager will be responsible for setting up and wiring the motors and wires that run the base of the robot. They will also be responsible for creating the electrical schematic of the whole robot.
• Key skills include: 
• Understanding of electricity and how it functions.
• Ability to experiment with parts to test performance and utilization.
• Ability to learn Fritzing(you will be trained)
• Ability to work with Fabrication Manager to build/modify parts.

• Wireless Control Systems Manager
• The Wireless Control System Manager will be responsible for setting up and coding the electronic control system and wireless communication system for the robot.
• Key skills include:
• In-depth understanding of programming (Arduino)
• Ability to learn new skills and to research solutions to problems.
• Patience and perseverance with very technical problems.
• Ability to work with all other positions to create electronic control.
• Fabrication Manager
• The Fabrication Manager will be responsible for arranging and/or doing the fabrication of parts for the robot.
• Key skills include:
• On-the-fly learning abilities to obtain new fabrication skills as needed.
• Metalworking skills including welding and grinding.
• Woodworking skills an asset but not required.
• Comfort with workplace safety practices and ability to advise others on these skills.
• Ability to operate and maintain 3D printer(training provided)

A Pittance of Time

Module #2 - FESTO MecLab

Hello class,

Welcome to module #2 which will last us until just before the exam break.

It will be a unit where we will set up and analyze the FESTO MecLabs.

Monday November 9th is the first mandatory class for this unit where we will discuss some theory that you will need.

See you later today (yes it's 12:15AM when I'm posting this.)

Work Habits Rubric

Your Monday Funny

First Robot Battle Test Run

Something to Brighten Your Week

This has nothing to do with Robotics but is hilarious none the less.

Final Balloon Battle Date

Hello class,

At this point we are hurtling towards the end of this module and that means a competition.

Our competition date is Monday November 2nd after school.

Currently we have the potential for 5 competing robots with four student robots and my own.

The matches will comprise of a combination of 1 vs 1 and 4 robot free for all competitions.

The arena is set up in the room and will be ringed by pool noddles so that nobody wreaks their robot.

Balloon Battle Rules:

• During a balloon battle, 4 robots will be placed in a 72” x 72” arena and will compete to destroy balloons attached to each robot.
• Each robot must use the Magician Chassis with no modifications to the frame.
• Each robot must have one balloon filled to at least 5” in diameter affixed to the perimeter of the top body-plate of their robot.
• Each robot may have up to three sewing needles(maximum 2” in length) affixed anywhere on their robot (they may be affixed with tape).
• Robots must be outfitted with a pushbutton breakout board that is coded to disable the robot. This must be easily accessible.
• Robot code must be outfitted with a method of disabling the robot (motor velocity = 0 or Brake command). That code must be provided to the teacher and demonstrated. A robot disable device will be present at the competition to stop any runaway robots.
• Robots must be controlled via Infrared signals. No other interference from the drivers is permitted.
• Robots cannot be modified to damage the opposing robot. Collisions will happen though so keep this in mind when designing.

Assignments Due this Week

I hope to see everyone Monday afternoon so that I can walk all of you through how to make your Arduino Infrared reactive.

In other news, I want to collect the first two assignments for this unit:

Assignment 01 -

• Grove Kit and Code (4 activities) (Due by October 8th)
• Assignment 02 - Arduino Shield Board(Due by October 8th)
• Assignment 03 - IR Demonstration board (due by October15th)
• Assignments 04 - Final Robot Code (Due October 29th)

This timeline means that our actual competition will happen on October 26th.

Plan on coming two times next week as Monday is not a school day (Thanksgiving).

Good luck and happy balloon hunting.

Tentative Module 1 Schedule

***UPDATED SEPTEMBER 18th***

• September 14th - Arduino Review/Introduction Lessons 1-4
• Assignment 01: Practicing Digital/Analog Signals with Grove
• September 21st - Arduino Advanced
• Assignment 01: Practicing Digital/Analog Signals with Grove (Continued, due September 24th) (Due by October 8th)
•  September 28th - Lab Safety and Soldering a Breakout Board
• Assignment 02: Breakout Board Soldering (Due October 8th)
•  October 5th - IR Control
• Assignment 03: IR Control Indicator (Due October 8th)

• 

  Image from Rooster Teeth Productions

  October 12th -Comparing Motor Drivers, I2C Control, Functions, and Motor Controllers
• Assignment 04: Robot Code Review (Review to be done by October 22nd)
• October 19th - Thanksgiving(no class) Students are still required to come another day, Monday-Thursday
• Assignment 05: Assemble/program competition robot (not marked)
• October 26th - Balloon Battle Competition
• Assignment 06: Final Code Submission (Due October 29th)

Welcome to Robotics

Hello class and welcome to Robotics Intermediate/Advanced.

This will be a unique and, hopefully, entertaining year where we delve deeper into how the machines that run our lives are designed, build and function.

The course outline will be posted on this site and all of our class communication will happen here.

This class will follow the "Open Lab" style so as to allow for maximum flexibility. Open lab means that one day per week, Monday in our case, we will be gathering as a class to talk theory and have a formal lesson in robotics.

During the rest of the week, you will be responsible for attending at least one class (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday). You may attend more than one day but must be there at least once.

All time spent in the lab must be recorded in the Robotics Logbook. the logbook will be used when awarding you credits.

The course rundown is as follows:

Module A Mario Kart Balloon Battle Challenge

Module B AutoCAD Inventor & 3D Modelling

Module C FESTO Electropneumatic Programming Using PLCs and LadderLogic

Module D Competition Robotics (Skills Alberta Challenge)

This is a year-long course that will award you 5-Credits.