STONY POINT HS -- ROUND ROCK ISD

Machine Control Design

Project 3.1.7 VEX and RobotC

Jacob Rodriguez
3/24/2014





TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Design Brief ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Design Process .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Pictures ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
RobotC Code .............................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Discussion Questions ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Recommendations Page ........................................................................................................................................................ 8


INTRODUCTION
Every machine that is controlled by a computer bases every
operation on data and instructions that were designed by an
engineer, technician, or end user. Designers must think through
every contingency and all that can go wrong. In addition safeguards
must be in place so that people and equipment are not damaged.

Problem 3: Automated Guided Vehicle (Hardware Level 2 Software Level 4)
An assembly plant would like for your team to design an Automated Guided Vehicle, AGV,
to drive in a straight line back and forth to deliver batches of parts. The vehicle must travel
back and forth based on closed loop control. The AGV will not start until a button on the
robot is pressed. When the same button is held at the end of a cycle, the robot will stop
after completing a trip back and forth.





DESIGN BRIEF
Client Company:
Honda Motors
Target Consumer:
Car companies
Problem Statement:
Having to go across the factory or asking somebody to get
you a certain part can be a hassle. The solution to this would
be a motorized vehicle to carry parts back and forth.





Design Statement:
Saving workers time by allowing them to stay right where
they are and continue working while the parts are brought to
them. The parts would be carried by a fairly medium-sized
vehicle.






Constraints:
Amount of time to get the AGV working smoothly
Getting the Emergency- stop switch to work on command







DESIGN PROCESS



1. Define Problem
2. Generate Concepts
4. Construct and Test
Prototype
5. Evaluate
Solution
6. Present
Solution
Problem
Valid and
Justifiable?
Needed
Technology
Exists?
Is Solution
Valid?
N
N
N
Y
Is Prototype
Valid?
N
Solution Solves
Problem?
N
Y
Scientific
Research
Needed
Y
Product
Innovation
3. Develop a Solution
Y
Y
PICTURES



ROBOTC CODE
[Cut and paste copy of code. Be sure that you have properly DOCUMENTED ALL YOUR CODE FOR FULL
CREDIT]

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
[Answer the conclusion questions here. Use complete sentences with proper grammar and spelling.]

1. What was the most difficult part of the problem?
- The most difficult part of the problem was getting the car to have an emergency stop switch and
programming it.



2. List and describe two features that were not part of the design problem that could be
added to improve your design.
- One thing that wasnt part of the initial design but could be added to improve it could
be an emergency stop switch.
- Another thing we could add could the a way to control the AGV with a remote control
instead of with the computer. I would make it easy for anybody to use.

RECOMMENDATIONS PAGE
[What recommendations would you make for this project next year for the teacher to change?]
[What recommendations would you make to a student in this class who must do this project next year?]
- I would recommend a little more time for planning, because not everybody can get the sketches
AND the actual project done in the given amount of time.
- I would not recommend using, or attempting to use, the VEX controller unless you really know
how to program and troubleshoot.