STONY POINT HS -- ROUND ROCK ISD

Design Problem Marble Sorter

Project 3.3.1 VEX and RobotC
Andrew L. Stephens
4/28/2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Design Brief ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Brainstorming Ideas ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Decision Matrix......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Pictures ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
RobotC Code .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Discussion Questions ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Reflections .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Recommendation Page.......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

DESIGN BRIEF
Client Company:

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

Target Consumer:

Society

Problem Statement:

The National Recreation Park Association (NRPA) has

asked your team to develop a solution to a growing problem
in their parks. The association has placed dumpsters for
recyclable material throughout the parks. They have a
sorting facility; however, they need the device that will sort
the recyclable material.

Design Statement:

Design, model, and test a device that will separate recyclable

materials.

Constraints:

1. Separation process must be fully automated.

2. Must successfully separate commingled recyclable
materials into individual holding bins.
3. Recyclable materials include 3 different in. material
spheres totalling 15. Examples could include steel,
aluminum, wood, opaque plastic, and clear plastic.
4. Must be efficient 2 minute max for completion of sorting
process.

BRAINSTORMING IDEAS

DECISION MATRIX

PICTURES

ROBOTC CODE

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

1. What was the most challenging aspect of this design problem?

The most challenging aspect was trying to get an accurate reading of the balls in order
to determine which is which. Also, we had difficulties orienting the light sensor in a way
that it would read just the balls while not interfering with the rest of the mechanism.

2. What are some creative changes that you would make to the design solution if you
could start over?
We could possibly have put something like Electrical tape to stop the reflectiveness of
the metal.

REFLECTIONS
[

Unfortunately, me and my partner were unable to get a working design by the

deadline. We ran into many problems such as those I have previously mentioned in
the discussion questions. If we had known better, we would have had some sort of
material to block the metal of the structure from interfering with the light sensor.
This would have allowed us to be able to get accurate readings off of the balls so we
could sort them efficiently. Also it may have been a good idea to incorporate some
sort of teeter-totter as to separate the heaver balls from the lighter: unfortunately
we had neither the time nor the materials to implement these changes. We also had
issues with the RobotC program as it had errors that neither me nor my partner had
the knowledge to correct, for neither of us has had proper understanding of the
programing system we were using. We could do simple programs such as opening
and closing a gate or moving a track, but as the program got more complex we were
unable to make everything work correctly. We also had the problem of finding the
correct placement of all of the components, such as: Angle of the feeder, Placement
of the light sensor, positioning of the track, and size of the cups in order to fit on said
track.

RECOMMENDATION PAGE
I would recommend that students are sure to have a clear understanding of the mechanics of the
programing software and the components that are used.
I would recommend to future students that they keep the project simple. Not overly complicated for that
may cause problems later that they may not able to fix.