3D Golf Robotic Labyrinth

We were busy today making preparations for Saturday’s RoboFest ’09 with the Kansas City Robotics Society. We have a new base for our mid size labyrinth and decided to go with a golf theme for this version.

Adjustments to 3D Golf Labyrinth

This game is a little easier to play than our small wooden labyrinth but with the ridges and hills built into this course it’s not an easy game either.

3D Golf Labyrinth Surface

This picture shows the unfinished hole awaiting the cup for the golf ball to fall into. A narrow ledge and varying steepness leading up to the hole makes this approach tricky.

Come check it out if you happen to be in Kansas City on Saturday June 13, 2009. The RoboFest will be held in the upper level above the Harvey House Restaurant in the historic Union Station. The times are from 12:30 pm with robots competing until 4:00 pm. Awards will be given between 4:00 and 4:30.

Several competitions are planned including mini and 1kg sumo robots, line following robots and a dinnerware demolition competition. We plan to have solar rollers there too.

Previous Article:  Robotic Labyrinth Update – 4.29.2009
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Check out our LabyWiinth Project Web Site and the new DIY Robotics Lab blog.

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Robotic Labyrinth Update – Long Overdue

4.29.2009- Day 98

Its been over two months since my last post about the Robotic Labyrinth project for Science City.  The project slowed to a more deliberate pace but has not stopped. We are still making progress but acquiring the materials we need have slowed things down quite a bit.

We now have our extruded polystyrene foam insulation board for our maze platform’s sandwich structure and the aerospace adhesives to glue the maze together. Our next big hurdle is getting aluminum to begin fabrication of the maze table.

Platform Actuation

Testing the linear actuators.

Richard found these great linear actuators that we are testing. They are providing quick response and an incredible range of motion.

Support Platform for the Maze.

We have a 4′ x 4′ platform constructed from two sheets of 3/4″ plywood. This is planned to support our maze table on top of the structure. We are still waiting for the labyrinth’s base to get out of the sheet metal shop so for now we’re using a spool with electrical cables for weight.

Universal Joint Mounting Plate

This view shows our universal joint mounting plate on the underside of the maze support platform.

Temporary Relay Switches.

We are able to move the platform with the joystick. It is temporarily controlled using relay switches.

Next Article: 3D Golf Robotic Labyrinth
Previous Article: Day[34] = 2.24.2009
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Progress With Alibre – Day 34

2.24.2009 (Monday) – Day 34 –

Alibre CAD accommodates the best of both worlds when working in 2D or 3D sketch mode. So much of the way it works just feels natural. That doesn’t mean I’m not struggling to find some features but when I learn the procedure is makes sense.  For instance, I’m used to specifying accurate positions for drawing elements as I place them in other CAD systems. With Alibre I sketch out the general shape first then through the use of dimensions the drawing starts transforming into the precise figure I’m wanting. To top it off, these dimensions can be entered in the form of equations that allow the entire part to be resized by changing a few constraining dimension values.

Labyrinth Game Platform Corner Closeout folded and unfolded.

Designing in the Sheet Metal Workspace is almost magical by creating folded parts from out of thin air. When you identify a surface then an edge where the bend takes place the folded part just appears. When you create a new sheet metal part you should review the properties settings to specify the material type and thickness you’re working with. You can adjust the K-Factor value associated with the material so it accurately includes any additional material needed to represent an acutal bend properly. Once everything is folded up as in the Labyrinth Game Platform’s Corner Closeout shown above you can unfold everything to get the sheet size and pattern to construct the part from.

My first attempt at modeling the corner closeout piece is close to the part I’m wanting to build but still needs some work. I have a couple of end pieces with chamfered corners that aren’t wanted. I still have some things to learn about controlling the chamfer tool or learning a different way to remove material from the part.

Read on, check out: Day[98] = 4.29.2009
Yesterday, check out: Day[33] = 2.23.2009
Or start from the beginning: Day[0] = 1.21.2009

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Resolving Technical Difficulties – Day 33

2.23.2009 (Monday) – Day 33 –

GSpot Codec Information Appliance

I need to get our Robotic Labyrinth game platform modeled in Alibre CAD before the trial period runs out. So, I started catching up on some more of the free training videos from the Alibre web site. Their videos formatted in the WMV format are working fine but I’m not able to get other video sessions using the AVI file to work. I tried searching the Internet for solutions to this problem. One suggestion I found was to use Handbrake to convert the AVI file into something I knew was working. I downloaded Handbrake a few weeks ago so I gave that a try. It worked but was taking over an hour to convert the file so I kept looking for solutions.

The solution comes from the GSpot Codec Information Appliance which analyzes a video file and identifies the codec’s that are not supported on your computer. When I ran the program it identified the TechSmith Screen Capture Codec (TSCC) as the culpret. I found the TechSmith web site and downloaded the TSCC file and installed the solution.

The GSpot Appliance will come in handy resolving some issues I noticed a few weeks ago when trying to view AVI files using OpenCV.

The Alibre Training Videos are a great resource I only wish I had the complete set to learn from.

Read on, check out: Day[34] = 2.24.2009
Yesterday, check out: Day[30] = 2.22.2009
Or start from the beginning: Day[0] = 1.21.2009

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Taking A Day Off – Day 32

2.22.2009 (Sunday) – Day 32 –

Not a very productive day today on Science City’s Robotic Labyrinth. Between catching a cold and some family activities I didn’t get much done today.

I decided to try downloading some video I shot of the Sheetmetal Workers Union into my computer. I bought a new S-Video cable the other day to connect between the camcorder and Dazzle. For some reason the Radio Shack cable gets fat at the point where it would be plugged into Dazzle. That doesn’t work so I need to find another cable.

Read on, check out: Day[33] = 2.23.2009
Yesterday, check out: Day[31] = 2.21.2009
Or start from the beginning: Day[0] = 1.21.2009

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Pivot Plate – Day 31

2.21.2009 (Saturday) – Day 31 –

Building the center pivot base.

Today we’re making progress on the Robotic Labyrinth’s central pivot and base where the game platform will rest. Even after spending most of the week in the hospital, Tom came by with a drive shaft for the project. He was feeling a little weak and had to leave early, hope he gets feeling better soon.

We cut a 3/4″ sheet of plywood in half and rotated the pieces 90 degrees from each other then began gluing and screwing the pieces together.

Designing a template pattern.

Reminiscent of Junk Yard Wars, we began cutting the drive shaft apart to use it’s universal joint for our pivot point. While I was out looking for parts Rich and Bob began cutting out a template to build a plate for our plywood base to sit on. This plate will connect the universal joint and the base together. I brought back u-bolts  from an auto parts store to fit around the bearings, this kit is the Dorman 81002 U-Joint retainer kit. The drive shaft was from a 73 C2500 chevrolet 4×4. It was the from shaft for the transfer case.

Read on, check out: Day[32] = 2.22.2009
Yesterday, check out: Day[30] = 2.20.2009
Or start from the beginning: Day[0] = 1.21.2009

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Keeping Balance – Day 30

2.20.2009 (Friday) – Day 30 –

John Bergin sent me an email about an old short film the LabyWiinth reminded him of.

Read on, check out: Day[31] = 2.21.2009
Yesterday, check out: Day[29] = 2.19.2009
Or start from the beginning: Day[0] = 1.21.2009

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Progress Update – Day 29

2.19.2009 (Thursday) – Day 29 –

We got an update from Tom on our Robotic Labyrinth Base, he said we’re on track for assembly next week. Ax0n said he has a Linux appliance assembled now too. Jestin is still planning on taking his WiiFit apart to see how to supply external power and a reset line. Rich is working on the actuators and motors for our motion.

The game platform design is coming along but we still don’t have the materials yet. The foam core materials are going to cost around $500 and the aluminum will cost somewhere around $700. We are looking for donations so we can get these items.

We are working on some fund raising ideas. John is working on some ideas for t-shirts slogans and graphics.

Read on, check out: Day[30] = 2.20.2009
Yesterday, check out: Day[28] = 2.20.2009
Or start from the beginning: Day[0] = 1.21.2009

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Chasing My Tail – Day 28

2.18.2009 (Wednesday) – Day 28 –

Local Social Media Sites

Trying to get design and development work done on the Robotic Laybrinth for Science City is tough enough without getting posts up to date. It seems to be a never ending challenge. If you miss a day then two of a daily progress report it seems to take forever to get everything caught back up. One of the items on my to-do list today is get some posts about this project in more public sites. Today I have added information to the Social Media Club of Kansas City (SMCKC), the Kansas City Online Community, and on the Cowtown Computer Congress (CCCKC) web sites.

Kansas City Woodworkers Guild

I was looking at variable speed controllers at Harbor Freight a few weeks ago and before leaving the parking lot I noticed a store across the lot called Metro Hardwoods. I almost left without checking closer thinking it was probably  one of those places that sell unfinished furniture. To my surprise it is a business that sells fine hardwoods at reasonable prices.

While there, the owner told me about the Kansas City Woodworker’s Guild. I’m curious about the organization and how they support their workspace for members. From time to time I need to work with wood on projects too. One project I’m wanting to continue with is building wooden patterns for casting aluminum parts. I have plans from Lindsay’s Technical Books to build one of the Gingerly Metalworking Lathes.

Read on, check out: Day[29] = 2.19.2009
Yesterday, check out: Day[27] = 2.17.2009
Or start from the beginning: Day[0] = 1.21.2009

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Sandwich Structures Before Lunch – Day 27

2.17.2009 (Tuesday) – Day 27 –

Linda Hall Library - Kansas City, MO

Return to Linda Hall

Still searching for more information supporting our Robotic Labyrinth Game project for Science City. Armed with a the new search term, “Sandwich Laminate”, I’m getting the results I wanted. Linda Hall Library’s LEONARDO  shows an interesting book so I returned this morning to check out “The Behavior of Sandwich Structures of Isotropic and Composite Materials”.

Materials are considered Isotropic when they are independent of direction. Aluminum is an isotropic material while carbon fiber is an ansiotropic material depending on the weave in it’s fabric it can exhibit a difference between longitudinal versus transverse stress and strain.

Linda Hall Library Inside

Bob Thurn wanted to meet up at Linda Hall to look for some research materials on another project he’s working on. While there he made an interesting observation. With the exception of the staff, at 10:30 on a Tuesday morning we seemed to have the library to ourselves. When you have all of these increadible resources, why isn’t this place filled with people? He said, “they should be charging a thousand dollars a head just to get in the door”. This is a great resource and is my favorite library, I used to come here over 20 years ago researching information on computer graphics.

OpenCV Study Group

Our new night for the OpenCV Study Group drew a smaller group tonight. Some had a conflict with the local Linux user group meeting tonight too. One good thing about the study group concept is to set aside time to focus on this topic instead of everything else I have going on right now. I did make some progress tonight. I passed along a tip I’m using to troll for OpenCV and Arduino information on Twitter. I’ve started using TweetDeck’s search function for the keywords “OpenCV” and another search for “Arduino”. This works pretty well.

Read on, check out: Day[28] = 2.17.2009
Yesterday, check out: Day[26] = 2.16.2009
Or start from the beginning: Day[0] = 1.21.2009

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