Technical Topics for Teams August 2010

BEST GAME RULES

SAFETY FIRST Safety glasses (Team supplied) Hearing protection “ Dust mask “ Buddy system Keep work area clean Supervise students at all times Read your power tools owner’s manual

 Use only the parts supplied in the Returnables and Consumables kits to build the robot  Items that are purely decorative such as paint, lights, decals, etc, may be applied to the robot, but not to Return Kit parts  The robot must fit into a two foot cube and cannot weigh over 24 pounds. The robot may expand after it exits the start box  You must use the supplied batteries and chargers  The robots must be VEX Cortex controlled Basic Information

 Returnables kit must be returned at the conclusion of the competition unless the kit will be purchased  Do not modify or paint returnable kit parts except for servo horns and the toothed belt segment  All robots will be inspected for compliance with rules before the contest.  Robots may be inspected at any time a judge suspects that a robot is out-of-compliance

Batteries  Two 7.2 Volt, 3000 mAhr NiMH chargeable batteries  Six 1.2 Volt, 800mAhr NiMH chargeable AAA cells  One standard 9 Volt battery

 Manage your batteries carefully! –Turn power off when robot is not running –Recharge batteries when robot performance first indicates a drop in power. –Minimize number of charge cycles  Team-owned batteries are not allowed on the field on game day Batteries

Battery Chargers  Chargers are included in the return kit  Read charger instructions and follow carefully!  Battery will become warm during a charge  If a battery becomes hot during a charge, disconnect from charger immediately!  Batteries can explode!

 Two blue 7.2 Volt batteries are included in the Return kit  Only one battery can be connected to the robot  Both batteries may be charged at the same time  the larger of the two power supplies works with the blue charger.  The 9 volt battery may be used for backup power via a special port on the Controller Cortex Microprocessor Battery Charger

 Battery charger for six re- chargeable AAA cells that power the Joystick  Do not try to charge standard AAA cells  The AAA cells are installed inside the Joystick unit and accessed with a small Phillips screwdriver  Only the smaller of the two power supplies works with the AAA cell charger VEXnet Joystick Battery Charger

VEXnet Joystick  Joystick communicates with Cortex controller via wireless g  Two X/Y joysticks plus 12 programmable buttons  Ports on the back are: - Partner – phone cord to another Joystick shares control (buddy system) - Program – programming cable from PC USB port - Competition - ?  On/Off power switch Back-side view Top view Adapter

Cortex M3 VEXnet Controller 10 motor/servo ports 12 Digital I/O ports 8 Analog ports Two UART (data) ports One 12C (sensor) port Backup power port (9V battery) Rx 2Rx1 7.2 V battery port On/Off Switch Adapter 2 built-in speed controllers 2 external speed controllers

Cortex Controller Wiring Plan Black, - Gnd Red, + White, Control/Signal Two Wire Black – Red + Black, - Gnd Red, +5 White, control/signal - Gnd + 5 V Rx (clock for 12C Tx (Data for 12C

VEX Control System Switch Servos Small motor Large motor Speed controllers

 Install VEX Cortex with two screws not too tightly  Provide easy access to VEX Cortex power switch and battery  The battery must be secured to the robot without applying tape or adhesive to the battery  Wire Red to Red (+) and Black to Black (-) Recommendations

VEX Programming System EasyC or RobotC software must be installed on a laptop or PC. Programming may be downloaded to the VEX controller without disconnecting the controller from peripheral devices

Servos Connect to the VEX Controller Used to control microswitches, or drive mechanisms (like grippers, releases, etc.) Do not open or otherwise modify servos! You can change/modify the horns (wheels).

DC Motors Do not disassemble or modify motors Connections to motors should be made with crimped terminals from the consumables kit Reverse power connections to reverse direction of rotation

Power Switching

Motion Example

Example Robot with obsolete BRAIN

Wheel Hubs and Shaft Extenders

Recommended Tool List Emerald Coast BEST Tool Kit Recommendations ItemPart NumberPrice Drill Motor Multimeter Saber/Jig Saw File Set Terminal Crimper Drill Set Spade Drill Set Hacksaw Tool Set * Total *Tool set includes measuring tape, screw drivers, sockets, wrenches, pliers, allen wrenches, hammer, etc. Tool source is Harbor Freight. Equivalent tools may be purchased from other sources.