Robot Stacker

Challenge Problem

Design and construct a robot that can assemble a tower in the least amount of time.

Criteria and Constraints

1. The robot must assemble a tower by stacking three blocks of different sizes.
2. The robot’s arm will be placed over the stacking area at the start of the testing period.
3. The blocks must be placed in the order of size (the largest on the bottom and the smallest on top).
4. The tower must be completed in six (6) minutes or less.

Resources

People: One or two students per team.

Information: Facts and knowledge the individuals possess or obtain and instruction from the teacher.

Materials

• Four (4) hydraulic cylinders (syringes) 10 cc
• Four (4) hydraulic cylinders (syringes) 30 cc
• ¹/₈" plastic tubing
• Any appropriate material available in the laboratory
• Any material brought from home that is not considered inappropriate or unsafe by the teacher.

Tools and Machines: Students will use appropriate tools and equipment available in the technology laboratory.

Time: 15 class periods

Energy: Human muscle power transmitted by hydraulics.

Evaluation

The winning robot will be the one that assembles the tower in the least amount of time.

Output

An informational report in the specified format.

Robot Stacker Scoring Sheet

Team:

Total Points: __________of 100

_____ Product — The Robot Stacker (30 Points)

Lowest A:27 B:24 C:21

Standard for satisfactory performance is 18

30: Excellent — Exceeds all expectations.

• Arm moves up and down, in and out, and revolves.
• Gripper holds each block firmly and easily.
• Light, efficient, and sound structure. Minimal overshoot or undershoot.

24: Outstanding.

• Arm moves up and down, in and out.
• Gripper grips each block.
• Parts move from hydraulic or pneumatic power. May be some under/overshoot.

18: Satisfactory.

• Arm moves up and down.
• Hand will hold blocks with minor help.
• Hard to get started then overshoots.

12: Not Yet.

• Must be moved by hand in all directions
• Gripper fails to grip object
• Falls apart on trials

_____ Performance (30 Points)

Lowest A:27 B:24 C:21

5 points for successfully gripping the blocks
3 points for a robot that successfully moves up and down
3 points for successfully moving in and out
1 point for rotating by remote action
18 points based on your time compared to best time with any time 6 minutes or less is passing.

Your Time _____     Best Time_________

_____ Product — Engineers Notebook (10 Points)

Lowest A:9 B:8 C:7

• An substantial entry for each day. Each entry dated. Each page signed.
• Summary of the rules
• Sketches of your design ideas
• Problems that you encountered during construction
• Changes that you made to your design
• Results of any tests performed including points scored (page signed by an observer).
• Redesigns and retests.

_____ Written Report (30 Points)

Lowest A:27 B:24 C:21

See Separate Rubric