Chapter 2: Mechanics
Automata history:
See what automata is, and where it comes from. What was automata used for and how can it help us understand robotics?
Lets learn a little about Automata history before we go on.
Lets take a look at simpler Automata machines. - Warning: The history portion has references to GOD.
Simple machines (Physical Science standards):
"http://www.coe.uh.edu/" - Great website to learn about simple machines.
How about a game on simple machines? This is by EdHeads
Activity on simple machines: In your learning tablet, make a page for simple machines. Go around your classroom and/or school and identify at least two simple machines from each category from the website above. You must write what you saw, or ask someone what the name of that device is, and then label what kind of simple machine it qualifies as.
Ask questions, look for ideas, or find troubleshooting tips:
ask Robohi <--- visit "For Educators" and look up topics (posts). There is more than one page of stuff. Make sure you are registered before trying to post something.
Work on this for day 6 ... (review everything learned thus far)
What does Automata have to do with all this?:
Automata, from the websites above are machines created to entertain. It's creators used combinations of simple machines to create these devices. If you look at some of the bottom examples, that you will build after this, these are based on simple machines.
It is important to grasp these concepts and use them to help you create more complex machines in a proper way that will help your robot function more effectively and efficiently.
Activities (Lets build a some):
For this next activity, you will notice that most of the models are not complete. The reason for this is to give the builder room to expand. The builder may be able to come up with two to three uses for each Automata piece. The first is to complete the original model into something that works. The second is to come up with another way to use each piece. For each design, the builder must plan a design, transfer that to graph paper that demonstrates how it functions and how it will generally look (showing how it moves through arrows). This can be done before or after building. Afterward, write a reflective piece about it.
This is a windshield wiper. This can be build by both systems, but you can also use alternative parts to get this working.
From opc.mr2oc.com, this picture illustrates the assembly of a windshield wiper.
This is the base model for a fan. What is it missing? Can you build a sturdy structure? This is possible on the NXT, but mostly meant for the RCX.
Raywalker.com shows a fan. The idea is to create a hand crank fan unit with the above automata model.
There is a carnival ride like this. This is based on a centrifuge. Complete the model. This is also possible, if you use alternative builds to create on the NXT but meant for the RCX.
Glencoe.com math, this carnival ride is like a centrifuge. The above automata is an example of this ride.
This particular device allows for two sticks to pop up and down when you turn the crank. What can you do to complete this device? What will it do? This is meant for RCX. With the parts of the basic NXT set, you could build something similar.
Toybugs.com, this pop up toy would be cool if it had a hand crank and gear system where each animal would pop up at different times. Can you build something similar with the model above?
This looks more like a gate or arm lifter. What more can you do to make this a lifting bridge? This may be possible on the NXT with alternative parts, but mostly for the RCX.
Sailraining.org shows a good example of a lift bridge. The automata above is the beginnings of the mechanism that gets the bridge to lift. Can you complete the model like what you see in this picture? Think of what's missing from the automata model.
Questions (Try answering these questions again. Are you answering differently from last time? Why or why not?):
1. What parts should we really memorize?
2. Why are friction and non-friction pins in their different lengths important?
3. Why are bushings of any length important?
4. Why are bricks with studs important?
5. Why are beams without studs (just holes) important?
6. Why are axles and flexible axles important?
7. Why are plates with studs important?
8. What's so important about sensors?
9. What's so important about the programming brick (RCX or NXT)?
10.What's so important about each gear?
Ask questions, look for ideas, or find troubleshooting tips:
ask Robohi <--- visit "For Educators" and look up topics (posts). There is more than one page of stuff. Make sure you are registered before trying to post something.
Work on this for day 7 ... (review everything learned thus far)
BONUS FEATURE:
Based on simple machines and Rube Goldberg, the 2006 Punahou Summer School 7th and 8th graders created a Rube Goldberg machine that gets a lazy person, who wants to catch a plane, from one end of the airport and on to the airplane. Watch this!
-----------------------------------------------------