Inputs and Outputs with ROBO TX

Here we used the ROBO TX Controller to complete Activity 3.1.1
We used a variety of parts to complete this project including Mini switches, lamps, reed switch, NXT resistor, and other things.

3.1.6 Open and Closed Loop Systems

For this project we had to create a program to run a motor back and forth on a rail. Then to modify it so that it was activated by switches and we modified it again so that it was activated by light switches.

RC Prop Car

Our car was the most original designed car made. It was the ily one to be steered by flaps instead of wheels. Ours would not win any awards for speed but it looked really cool.

Capstone Project (Marble Sorting)

For this Project we were tasked to sort five different marbles (wood, mettle, glass red, glass white and glass green ), with a total of 15 marbles. Through out the project their were options to gain extra points and or multipliers for doing tasks such as dropping all the marbles from a higher height or using pneumatic pistons. Our sorter sorted 5 wood marbles, 5 glass marbles, and 5 mettle marbles. We did not implement a color sorter for the glass marbles because we could not get it to work. Our sorter got through all 15 marbles successfully in under 15 seconds.


























To catch the marbles initially we used a section of cardboard box on its edge and cut a hole for the marbles to exit in the corner. The marbles were initially sorted by size, the glass were bigger than the wood and the metal. After that the wood and metal were sorted from each other by a fan witch pushed the lighter wood off the track and into a separate bin than the heavier metal. Each of the marbles dropped into a separate bin.

Achievements:

1) Organize it!

2) I've Made a Few Special Modifications...

    * Added a fan to push wooden marbles

    * Constructed a new hopper

    * Disassembled sorter and rebuilt it with many support improvements

3) Reflection

    + : Creative solutions, results fulfill problem statement

    - : Teamwork, only a couple of our members were constantly working (together)

    ? : Next time we need to improve our teamwork, and procrastinate less (and work on focus)

    ! : Why not have the entire class as one group and make them sort ten different kinds of marbles?

4) Process 15 marbles in less than 30 seconds. (6 to 10 seconds)

5) Marble Delivery

6) Drop marbles from 2 feet above machine

7) Used at least one motor

3.1.5 Variable Functions

This was a majorly programing assignment were we had to create a program that turned a light on and cepped it on untill a tikker hit over 8 times. Then we modified it so that the light would turn on for 4 seconds and off for 4 seconds and repeet 3 times before it stopped.

3.1.4 Branch Functions

In this activity we were assigned a worksheet where we had to compleet a seres of tasks that involved looping and switches.




Conclution Questions:

1. It is importat to include Branches in programs so that you can have multiple outcomes or multiple paths for the program to follow if one is not selected or working.

2. Light switches are an example of normaly oppen switches found inn every day life.

3. An example of an every day closed switch would be the power running to your house.

3.1.1 Inputs and Outputs

We were given a worksheet where we were tasked with compleeting a worksheet consisting of roughly 20 problems. We used Fishertechnic parts and a computer and a ROBO TX Controller to conduct a series of experiments related to the worksheet.

This was one of the more complicated creations that we made in the worksheet.

Flow Charts

For this project we made a powerpoint that included the flow chart for 2 different senarios and a semi modified for the second from the first.

The third and the second are the same with only minimal change were we had to keep track of how many  times we have done the thing, and also incresed the amount of revolutions to 10 not 3.

Paper Bridges

For this project we used manila folders and created a bridge that spanned an 18 inch gap. Our group's bridge supported 18 magazines.

By the end our bridge was sagging pretty badly but surprisingly it did not fall right away.

2.1.7 Calculating Truss Forces

This week we worked to compleet this worksheet where we calculated if a structure was stacticly determinent/indeturminet. Then we worked to find out the truss forces and calculate them out.

Leadership 101 Notes S2,W1

     It is the first week of the second semester and the first thing we have done this semester was to split up into five different groups, each with its own team leader. We have also implemented a new way to self/pear grade.
    
      The lecture/activity we did with Leadership 101 was a good one and an interactive one that provided good notes.

The 3rd Annual CHS Cardboard Canoe Challenge!

This is the 3rd annual Cardboard Canoe Challenge. Although it as turned into more of a cardboard Barge challange.

Total poinnts/ Achievements: 12


Design Achievements:

• Define the Problem and Brainstorm Solutions - The problem is to create a vessel to suport one person from one side of the pool to the other. Our solution was to make a square box with a slanted front. We individually wraped each section of cardboard and then taped the seems together.

• Criteria & Constraints -
     Criteria     • Build a watercraft that allows you to traverse the CHS swimming pool.
     • Your "boat" must float at least one student through the course of the competition.
     • Protect your workspace from damage!

     Constraints
     • You may only use Cardboard and Duct Tape for this event.
     • All Staples or other foreign material must be removed from your cardboard. If we trash the pool,
      we will not be invited back for other activities during the year (yes, we have other activities in mind for  
      2nd semester).
     • Cardboard must meet our quality standard and be approved by the instructor (more info to follow)
     • Each boat must have a minimum of a 3" tall "sidewall" (no completely flat designs).
     • All exposed cardboard must be covered in duct tape (this will reduce cardboard disintigration in the
       pool).
     • Each team will be provided one "versa table" cardboard box piece and three 60yrd rolls of duct tape.
       Any materials beyond this (likely need more cardboard) need to be resourced by your team.
 Implied Constraints: You can only have the members from your group work on the craft. Don't mess with other peoples crafts. And you cant lift the boat from the bottem to keep it floating.
Implied Criteria: You can not hold the boat up from the bottem.

• Sketch Ideas -

• Prototype Ideas -

• Select an Approach -

+ the desine was similar to that of the wining one from previous years
Change the original desine we had was to long so we made the front at a slant to take up less materials
? Use doubble the amount of cardboar to keep it stable
! The decals we did were cool

Surface area! - 
The total surface area that we could cover with 3 rolls of ductape would be 75ft2. I thought we would use an 85% efficiency.



Build Achievements:

• Build It! -

• The Early Bird Gets the Achievement - Our group was the very first team in our class to finish our vessil.

Reflection Achievements:

• Feedback -
- the walls were to thing so they folded in
- the desine worked for a wile untill it took on water and started to folld on itself
- the leashes that we used to pull the boat worked for a little wile
- the decals on the back and front were cool

• How Low Did You Go? -

Our teem spent a total of 2 laps continusly in the watter before it flooded

• Redesign -

I would build a more canoe like ship with thicker walls and maby suports to keep it form caving in.

• How Disformed Can You Go -
Our canoe was severly crumpled up-

 

 

Mouse Trap Race Cars

This is the 3rd Annual Mousetrap Racecar Challenge yet it is my first time participating in it. I had a great time with it, with my partner Brett. He was the photographer for both video and immages.

For the front wheels we used CD to redse drag. Each one was held on by two smaller wheels that kept them in place for the most part, they had to be adjusted every now and then. We added a small metal rod to the mouse trap "bar" to increase the length of the lever arm. The rear wheel had the power and had a rubber ring around it to increase traction. We used a total of 35 parts, thats counting every little piece. We got third palce in the distance race and second in the speed race.

Total Points: 10

Design Stage:"Brainiac" -

"Visualize It!" -

Build Stage:
"Build It" -

"The Price of Glory"
- we would have spent $35 on our car, witch is not that much considering that the formula 1 cars can cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"Competitor" - yes we did
"Feedback" - Collect feedback (at least one each of +, change, ? and !) from yourself or your classmates.
?- Why did it have CD's as wheels?
  -Did the CD's help alought or did they not make a difference?
Change- I would have changed the rear "power axel" so that at the end of its run the string would slip off and not tangle up again so that it would stop itself.
+- The CD's make it look really cool.

Iterate Stage:
"Re-work"
-Between our first and second races we added a strawl on the end of the lever arm to extend the length but not the power.

"Game Changer"
-I would change the limit on the tape so that you could use any kind of tape and however much tape you wanted to use. I would do this becasue I found it extreemely hard to do every thing i wanted to do with the limited amount of tape that I had at my disposal.

"Name it"
- Invent a name for an achievement that you think is better than what we have currently.


"Leave It Cleaner Than You Found It" - yes, all the tape we used was thrown away and the piecses we used were put away

Transition Between Classes

All posts before this Are form my freshmen year and all after this one are from my sophomore year.
They are from two different classes, but both are taught by the same teacher. I immensely enjoyed the first class and am looking forward to the second class.

Human Centered Design

This was my CAD moddle for our first idea of the podium for Mr. Huang. He asked us to make one that was 4 feet high and 2 inches, he asked us to make it look like his old one that was just a bit too tall.

These were done by Patrick Burke

These were created on Blockland
This was created by Chris Cervantes
                                   
And this wa created by Connor Lewis
                                    
They were both created using Minecraft

This was a group project that we all worked on and we talked to Mr. Huang and this is what he wanted us to make.