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Design Problem
The problem is to make a device that will separate recyclable materials (4 or 5
marbles) for the NRPA in 2 minutes.
The learning objective are to use the design process and other engineering tools
and practices to solve the sorting system problem. Using these processes, we
will learn to utilize the vex components and coding to create a more complex and
efficient robot.
The criteria and constraints are that we must ensure that the separation process
is fully automated, utilize the materials in 1 VEX kit and other materials provided
by the instructor, successfully sort the materials (opaque plastic, clear plastic,
aluminium, steel, wood), ensure full control of marbles during the process, sort
16 marbles of 4 different types or 20 marbles of 5 different types and the process
must be completed in 2 minutes max.
Brainstorm Idea
In this solution, the balls are placed in an inclined bucket that is connected to the
mechanism using a sprocket with barriers on alternate spokes; This takes the
balls and adds them to the system.
For sorting the marbles, the solution uses an electromagnet, light sensor, and
see-saw to complete the task. The spheres roll down an inclined track and first
passes the electromagnet, which takes the steel ball and lets the rest pass.
Then they pass the light sensor, which detects the value of the aluminium ball
and triggers the movement of the flap to sort the aluminium spheres.
Next, the wood and plastic spheres arrive at the see-saw, which has a weight
equivalent to the wood on the opposite side. Allowing the wood to roll down to its
bucket and the plastic to tip the see-saw over to its bucket and fall in.
Decision Matrix
Name
Build
Time
Simplici
ty
Reliabilit
y
Run
Time
Coding
Total
John
3,2,2
2,3,3
2,2,3
3,5,4
3,3,4
44
Vivek
3,5,4
4,4,3
2,3,3
3,5,4
3,4,5
55
Joanna
2,3,2
2,3,3
3,4,5
3,5,4
3,3,2
47
Rofin
4,4,3
3,5,3
3,2,3
4,5,4
3,5,4
54
Using a scale from 1 to 5, 1 being the worst and 5 being the best, we were able
to determine which solution would be the best for us to continue our project with.
We had 3 people rating the ideas with this scale, where we could not rate our
own idea. We included build time, simplicity, reliability, run time, and coding to be
requirements for the solution in order to determine which solution would best suit
the task at hand. Build time was important because of the time constraints that
we anticipated to have, simplicity to aid with the build time and avoid too much
confusion, reliability was to ensure there were not too many loose parts or
possibly not functional parts, run time to ensure we met the time required to sort
the marbles, and coding to ensure that the coding would not be too complex.
Utilizing this decision matrix, we came to the conclusion that my solution for this
problem would have the most ideal result. We also decided that we would use
this as a base for our final solution, and incorporate other ideas from the other
mentioned solutions.
Using this process, we hoped to develop the most efficient machine for solving
the sorting problem.
Final Design Solution
After considering the decision matrix, we decided to utilize my idea for the marble
sorting problem. Due to its simplicity in coding and building, and the incorporation
of several physical tests to help sort the marbles we chose this design for our
solution. This seemed like a viable solution at the time. We also considered
adding ideas from other solutions to add to the efficiency of the final solution.
In this solution, the balls are placed in an inclined bucket that is connected to the
mechanism using a sprocket with barriers on alternate spokes; This takes the
balls and adds them to the system.
For sorting the marbles, the solution uses an electromagnet, light sensor, and
see-saw to complete the task. The spheres roll down an inclined track and first
passes the electromagnet, which takes the steel ball and lets the rest pass.
Then they pass the light sensor, which detects the value of the aluminium ball
and triggers the movement of the flap to sort the aluminium spheres.
Next, the wood and plastic spheres arrive at the see-saw, which has a weight
equivalent to the wood on the opposite side. Allowing the wood to roll down to its
bucket and the plastic to tip the see-saw over to its bucket and fall in.
Design Modifications
After considering the efficiency and reliability of my idea and the constant
failure to complete the task, we decided to change our solution to Johns idea
(Johns brainstorming solution is above). This was done by a vote for other
possible ideas from the three other members. This was our biggest change to our
project, and the most important decision for our eventual success. Afterwards,
while building the new solution, we made modifications to the new idea as well.
Thus, we added stands underneath the platform to elevate the whole
machine. This was done to ensure that we could fit the motor underneath the
marble compartments, to allow the compartment holder to turn around 360
degrees and not continuously collide with the table.
After this, we added a shaft encoder. This encoder was to enable us to
determine how much the motor should turn in order to sort the marbles in the
appropriate bins. This had to reset and allow us to turn the motor according to
the code.
Also, we changed the placement and shape of the funnel. So, our funnel
was attached to the top of the platform, yet not part of the platform. This made us
create a way to attach the funnel to the project. The funnel was also changed to
not be conical, but a rectangular, sloped plane that collected the marbles and
released them to the conveyor belt.
Final Design
Our robot was not very successful. Although it did not sort most of the marbles
accurately, a few marbles of the same type did land in the same compartment
occasionally. Also, our project successfully sorted all the steel marbles into one
compartment (the big white cup attached to the platform). Our machine sorted
the marbles under the time limit, and did not go over time. Our robot did not
break down and successfully completed the whole program.
ROBOTC Program
Design Process
Define the Problem :
During this step of the process, we were presented with the problem that
was meant to be solved using the VEX kits. We learned that we had to sort 4 or 5
different marbles into different bins or compartments. We had to ensure that the
separation process was fully automated, used components in one VEX kit,