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ROBO Pro Software for fischertechnik®

ROBO Pro Screen Set to Level 1: Beginners Element Window Toolbar Program Window

Setting up the Interface Select the type of Interface and port to connect to.

Checking the Interface Inputs Outputs Analog Inputs Interface Status

The Element Window Program elements are icons that, when selected, access instruction sets in the ROBO Pro software to perform the operations identified by the icons. They are located on the left hand side of the screen

The Flow Chart When Program Elements are placed on the screen and connected, a Flow Chart is created. This Flow Chart is the program that runs the instruction sets

Programming Icons Graphic Programming BASIC Programming Sample Instruction Sets Icons 500 INIT 510 If E1 = 1 THEN GOTO 530 520 GOTO 510 530 CALL M1 On 540 END

Motor Output The Motor Outputs can be set to run an electromagnet, lamp, or motor. Select interface box connection Choose device Select speed, brightness or intensity Choose action

Motor Outputs

Start & End The Start and Stop Function Blocks begin and end a program.

The program to control two output devices might look like this… Outputs Start Program The program to control two output devices might look like this… M1 Output On M2 Output On End Program

Time Delay The Time Delay is used to introduce a delay in a program. A time step can be set for seconds, minutes or hours

Digital Inputs Inputs Examples: Pushbutton switch Pushed or not pushed The “Input” function block queries the state of a digital input I1-I8 on the interface. They many be a Pushbutton switch, Photo-transistor, or a Reed contact. A digital input can only have one of two states, 0 or 1. Examples: Pushbutton switch Pushed or not pushed Photo-transistor Light or Dark Reed Contact Switched or not switched

Digital Inputs Phototransistor (light sensor) Switch (pressure sensor) Reed Contact (magnetic sensor)

Digital Inputs The Digital Inputs can be set as a variety of switch mechanisms including Pushbutton Switch, Photo-transistor, or Reed Contact. Digital Inputs connect to I1-I8 on the interface

Text The Text tool is used to display information on the program page.

Wait for Input Waits for the input to change in a particular way

Wait for Input Wait for Input is simpler and easier than using the Digital Input icon for some applications.

Counter Loop With the Counter loop you can execute a specific part of the program several times.

Counter Loop This counter loop allows a light to flash on for 2 seconds, then off for 2 seconds, 10 times before stopping the program.

Analog Branch With the Analog Branch you can compare the value of an analog input with a fixed number and, according to the result, branch to the Yes (Y) or No (N) exit. Set the condition and enter The comparison value

Analog Branch This Analog Branch uses a photocell sensor to determine if the reading (value of AX) is greater than 800. When it is, the light is turned off and the program ends.

Going Farther There are times when more options are needed in a program. By selecting Level 4 more programming options become available in addition to the basic elements.

Variables Variables are accessed from the element window.

Variables Variables hold values to allow the program to make decisions. The variable can be named anything.

Commands Commands are used to change the value of variables.

Branch and Wait Decisions are made on variables using commands from the Branch and Wait section.

Variables A Variable can be used to count as in this example. The variable Dogs is increased by one each time through the loop until its value is greater than 3. The program then ends. The Variable blocks are named the same eliminating the direct connection.

Inputs and Outputs Inputs and outputs are used to affect variables and to display their value.

Variables A variable can be used to store a value. In this example the value of a CdS photocell is stored (input) as a variable and used to determine which way a motor will turn.

Operators Operators allow us to combine or compare two variables using mathematics or logic

Panel Elements Panel Elements are use to build a display or control board to interact with a Fischertechnik model.

Displays There are times when the value should be displayed on the screen.

Setting up a display Text Displays can be customized

Displays Panel displays are used to assign the output device

Sub-Programs Subroutines are used to create pieces of a program that can be used many times in different places.

Subprogram utilizing the Entry and Exit commands

Subprograms Once saved the subprogram is ready to be used from the loaded programs.