1. Hands-On Session: Mini-Competition
Kat Baker
July 20-21, 2017

2. Overview
Quick and simplified exposure to what your student team will experience
Engineering Design choices
Building decisions
Limited schedule & materials
Writing an Engineering Notebook
We hope that this will make you a better coach and mentor!
Multiple 3 Minute Matches
Frustrations
Working as a team

3. Caveats
This guide has a suggested procedure for building your robot. You may vary from this procedure so long as you:
Do not endanger yourself or anyone else
Do not permanently attach anything to the Returnable Kit parts
Do not attach any duct or electrical tape to the Returnable Kit parts
Do not damage the room or furniture in any way
Clean up after yourself

4. Be courteous to our hosts!
Please DO NOT scratch the tables, other furniture or floors, or snag any carpet or furniture fabric
Please use the Drill Block when drilling
Keep a ceiling tile protector between your work and the furniture or floor

5. Platform (1) Construct/Attach: Plywood base Motors Skid
Make sure the platform is stable and can roll in various directions.

6. Platform (2)
Attach Cortex

7. Wheels Attach hubs to wheels Attach hubs to motor shafts
Attach motor to platform with pipe strap – on ends of motors

8. Connect Motors to Cortex (1)
BEST requires the use of motor ports 2-9
Motor Ports 1 & 10 – Built-in motor controller. Not allowed by BEST.
Motor Ports 2-9 – Require external Motor Controller
Balance motors between ports 1-5 and 6-10
Motor Ports 1-5 share same circuit overload protection
Motor Ports 6-10 share same circuit overload protection
Use Screw Terminal Motor Interface cables to connect to wires attached to motor tabs

9. Connect Motors to Cortex (2)
Cortex Motor Port
Motor Controller
Screw Terminal Block
Motor wires with Quick Connects
Motor Tabs

10. Create Program, While Loop, & Arcade Function
easyC: File -> New Standalone Project –> Joystick Project -> OK
Program Flow -> While Loop
Joystick -> Arcade - 2 motor into While Loop
Forward/Reverse Channel = 3
Rotate Channel = 4
Left Motor, Right Motor: (look where you plugged these in to the Cortex; our example shows motor ports 2 and 9)
Add Deadband for both Channel 3 and Channel 4 to eliminate motor squeal
JoystickAnalogDeadband -> between “Variables” and “While”

11. Test Drive
Go to Build and Download menu. Compile your program. Fix any errors.
Connect USB cable between laptop and Cortex. Download your program to Cortex: Build and Download -> Build and Download.
Tether joystick and Cortex with the USB cable.
Turn on Cortex first, then joystick. Wait for VEXNet LED to turn solid green.
Test each wheel motor forward and backward. If either wheel moves in the wrong direction, double click Arcade2 icon, change value of Invert Direction for appropriate motor, and try again.
Untether the Joystick and Cortex. Turn them off. Insert the 2 VEXNet keys and turn Cortex and joystick back on.
Drive the robot without the tether.

12. Arm Build and attach A-frame to hold arm
Make and attach an arm that is the right size to:
Reach to the ground
Be pulled down by the winch

13. Winch and Motor Build and attach winch Mount and attach winch motor
Wire winch motor to Cortex
Edit your program to include winch motor
Test
Add spool and string to winch and test again

14. Claw and Servo Disconnect the servo from Cortex.
Design and assemble claw, including servo. Make sure it can move properly.
Assemble “door” so that its starting position coincides with the servo’s “zero” position.
Reconnect the servo to the Cortex. Turn Cortex on and test claw.

15. Servo Programming Connect servo to Cortex with a Servo Function
In your program, add a JoystickToServo, and use Channel 5 or 6
(Servos don’t need a deadband)
Turn on Cortex and Joystick. The Servo will rotate to its “zero” position. Make a note of it.

16. Mount the Claw Attach the claw to the end of the arm.
Make sure it reaches to the ground and can open and close.
You may need to add a servo extension between the servo controller and the servo.

17. Mini-Engineering Notebook
Resources provided
2016 Scoresheets in your school’s TMI Notebook Engineering Notebook + Software Design & Simulation
WORD Engineering Notebook Template file based on Reports and Papers Folder – Outline for School Report
Outline - Customized using above 2016 Scoresheets
Body,
Works Cited,
Checklist,
Tips
Specifications
Use template file outline to enter information in 3 areas
Brainstorming Approaches
Engineering Design Process
Safety
Prior to 2 PM, complete and score your 3 Mini-EN sections
You may choose to use this template with your students as a teaching tool.
Remember to make any changes for 2017

18. Why is an Engineering Notebook Important?
Engineering and Technical Careers need to communicate
Technical requirements,
Operations concept,
Design,
Test approach and results,
Quality assurance,
Maintenance & user manuals,
Business Careers need to communicate:
Response to request for proposals,
Marketing Approach,
Sell your ideas,
Justify your concepts,

19. Competition Approach Create a team Create a Mini-Robot
Identify team and pick name
Team Number is the TMI Kit number on the red tote
Assign responsibilities: strategy, design, build, software, test, Engineering Notebook (EN).
Identify drivers & spotters.
Create a Mini-Robot
Compete at 2 PM
We will be keeping score and awarding a game trophy
Create a Mini-EN
Required for robot to compete
Score your own sections using 2016 Engineering Notebook scoresheet in your school’s TMI Notebook
Score will be used as a tie breaker

20. The Competition Two robot teams per 3 minute match - multiple matches.
Game Field:
Bounded by PVC
Small & big balls
Two buckets (one per team)
Score by placing balls in your bucket.
Small balls = 1 point each
Big balls = 2 points each

21. Example 2014 Mini Robots