How to Construct a Robot Part 7: Wiring and Controller Installation Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 1

Basic Robot  We are going to construct a robot part by part.  The size and speed will be determined by its part.  Later in the instruction, the size and speed will be determined by the controller.  We will learn how to use a Plan Sheet, gather information, select the right part, and construct that part. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 2

 With Plan Sheet, either as one sheet or two sheets, lay out or draw wiring and controller installation for your robot. Start gathering information to construct the wiring and installation for your robot. You can also draw on regular drawing paper. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 3

1. Draw one or as many drawings as needed. 2. Refine or select the part that is best for the robot. 3. The material might have a reaction on the robot, so a redraw may be in order. 4. Keep in mind all the features that are needed (construction strength, speed, function, purpose, weight). 5. Choose the best one, not necessarily the best drawing. 6. Choose the best person and the right tool to make the part. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 4

Wiring and Controller Installation Create Wiring Plan Things to consider: Conceal wire where possible; run wire in pipes, corners, or underneath platforms. Secure wires with wire-ties to avoid accidental snags and disconnects. Leave enough slack to the connectors to facilitate disconnecting wires for maintenance. Most wires will have factory made connectors and cannot be cut. Secure both ends working to the middle -- neatly wire-tie and conceal excess. Note: This assembly uses a vendor made controller system. For a basic control of a two motor drive system, special programming is not required. We will utilize the pre- programmed arcade mode of the controller. Motors are polarized (+/-) and reversing wire will cause the motor to operate in the opposite direction. Red wire will be used to indicate the positive (+) wire. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 5

Create Wiring Plan Step 1 - Draw wiring diagram on top view of robot drawing. Determine battery placement. Sufficient room must be reserved for the battery hold-down strap. The battery must be placed in a location that has easy access in order to swap batteries during a competition. The weight of the battery can also be used in providing balance and traction Determine controller placement. Be mindful that access to the power switch is necessary and that it may be necessary to disconnect wires for maintenance. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 6

Create Wiring Plan Step 2 - Determine wire lengths. The battery wire and connector is preinstalled. Battery is installed over the wheels to provide maximum traction. Wire lengths should be long enough to enable a neat installation. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 7

Create Wiring Plan Step 3 - Label connections. Label motors and connectors. Show+/- polarity for easier re-connection should maintenance be necessary. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 8

Electric Wire and Controller Installation This section is where we will implement the wiring plan. Installation Steps: Mount controller Cut motor wire to length and install connectors Route wires and wire-tie to robot chassis Connect wires to controller Install Wi-Fi USB adapters Pair controller to transmitter Test drive robot Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 9

Electric Wire and Controller Installation Step 1 - Mount Controller – Mark base to drill mounting holes in base. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Photo Credit:: VEX Robotics, Inc. 10

Electric Wire and Controller Installation Step 2 - Mount Controller – Drill holes in base and mount using screws. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Photo Credit:: VEX Robotics, Inc. 11

Electric Wire and Controller Installation Step 3 – Cut wires to length. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 12

Electric Wire and Controller Installation Step 4 – Strip wire and crimp motor connector onto wire. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 13

Electric Wire and Controller Installation Step 5 – Strip wire and connect motor wire to controller connector. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 14

1.Remove Hold-down 2.Install Motor 1 on Pin 1 (if using external motor controller use Pin 2) 3.Install Motor 2 on Pin 10 (if using external motor controller use Pin 9) 4.Replace Hold-down Electric Wire and Controller Installation Step 6 – The controller has two motor controller circuits. Since wheel motors will consume the greatest amount of power, it is important put one motor on each controller circuit. Use external motor controllers if available. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Photo Credit:: VEX Robotics, Inc. 15

Electric Wire and Controller Installation Step 7 - Install Battery. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Photo Credit:: VEX Robotics, Inc. 16

Final Installation steps Step 8 – Install the USB WI-FI adapters both transmitter and receiver. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Photo Credit:: VEX Robotics, Inc. 17

Final Installation steps Step 9 – Pair controller to transmitter by turning on both units next to each other. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. Photo Credit:: VEX Robotics, Inc. 18

Final Installation steps Step 10 – Verify that the polarity of the motors are correct by a test drive. Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved. 19 With cursor on picture, click on arrow to play video.