EGR101 – Introduction to Engineering Design

Syllabus, Section 05 (Robotics)

Winter 2006

Instructor:

Dr. Russell Hardie

KL-341F

Phone: 229-3178 (office)

Email: rhardie@udayton.edu

 

Teaching Assistant:

Mr. Ashish Godbole

KL-332 (229-4974) or KL-351C

Email: godbolas@notes.udayton.edu

 

Course Description from University of Dayton Bulletin:

EGR 101.  INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN.  A team taught integrated introduction to engineering design.  Emphasizes problem-solving skills, team work, multi-disciplinary approaches to engineering projects and problems, experiential hands-on experience, and structural programming.

 

Prerequisites

None – an introductory course for first-year engineering majors.

 

Required Texts and References:  The instructor will provide handouts and assigned readings appropriate to the focus of the section.  Most of the course material will be provided at the following website (bookmark it now!): 

 

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~hardierc/EGR101/EGR101.htm

 

Information on the First Year Experience can be found here:

 

http://quickplace.udayton.edu/fyesoe. 

 

Class location and hours: 

-- KL 213, TTh 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM

-- Other locations and times as announced by instructor as required.

-- Up to three evening sessions will be scheduled for special topics.

 

Course Objectives:   This is a hands-on, can-do course that helps students learn by doing.  Course objectives include:

  1.  Learning problem-solving skills and the design process; beginning with requirements analysis, using an open-ended approach to concepts, deciding among alternatives, and completing a sound conceptual design.

  2.  Developing interpersonal skills in a major team project lasting most of the semester.

  3.  Learning basic concepts and tools of project management.

  4.  Experiencing multi-disciplinary experimentation and engineering analysis.

  5.  Strengthening skills in technical communication, including oral and visual presentation

        skills, technical writing, and collaborative methods for group decision.

  6.  Understanding, and internalizing, ethical behavior for engineers.

  7.  Appreciating, and designing for, professional public responsibility: safety, environmental, etc.

  8.  Participating in a real-world service learning project or intercollegiate challenge

        problem, with opportunities to transform “can-do” spirit & teamwork into project success.

  9.  Discovering the excitement of meeting engineering challenges, and the camaraderie and

        fun possible when engineers team to overcome obstacles.

10.  Fostering an innovative spirit and applying innovative solutions to real-world problems.

 

Class Focus, Structure & Policies:

 

- Focus:  This course teaches the engineering design process with a focus on real-world design considerations through technical presentations, lab demonstrations, hands-on team projects for robot design, a competition against other teams, and engineering trials against standards set by the instructor.

 

- Structure:   Each student will work on a design team consisting of two or three students.

         

- Attendance:  You are required to attend all classes and other assigned meetings.  If you cannot, due to illness or some other valid reason, expected professional behavior is to email the instructor before class.  If you must unavoidably miss a team meeting, you should email your team members and arrange to complete work required to support them.  Use the buddy system for mutual support. 

 

- Team Learning Projects: 

Teams will be working with the Lego RCX microprocessor based system to develop autonomous robotic vehicles for two specific tasks.

  1. Line follower: Develop an autonomous robotic vehicle capable of following a line on the ground.  Teams will seek to design a vehicle that can complete a course in the shortest time.
  2. Firefighter robot: Develop a fully autonomous vehicle capable of locating an open flame, avoid obstacles, stay with a specified course and extinguish the flame in a safe manner.

 

- Grading:

 

-- Design project 1(team grade, 100 points):                                     20%

            ---Robot demonstration (50 points)

            ---Design report (50 points)

 

-- Final design project (team grade, 100 points):                               50%               

            --- Robot demonstration (50 points)

            --- Final report (45 points)

            --- Gantt chart (5 points)

 

-- Individual effort and performance:                                                 30%

---Peer reviews (each student submits a confidential evaluation form assessing his/her own performance & that of other team members)

---Class attendance and participation

---Individual class assignments

 

 

Formation of Teams:   

Teams will be formed by instructor.

 

Academic Integrity:  Academic integrity is a requirement to pass the course.  Plagiarism, whether from print or electronic sources, is a serious violation of University regulations ( http://bulletin.udayton.edu/content.ud?v=11&p=1472&c=1501 ).

 

Contribution to meeting the professional component

Two credit-hour course supporting UD and School of Engineering First Year Experience requirements, introducing students to the engineering design process.

 

Required ABET Outcomes

In this course students will demonstrate that they have, at the introductory level:

  1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
  2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
  1. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
  2. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
  2. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
  3. an ability to communicate effectively
  1. a recognition of the need for, and ability to engage in life-long learning

j.    a knowledge of contemporary issues

k.   an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

 

Prepared by

Russell C. Hardie, Ph.D.                                              

 

EGR101 Engineering Faculty Coordinator

David A. Herrelko, Ph.D.

 

 


 

EGR101 Robotics Module

Proposed Activities

 

Getting Started

 

1.      Introduction to Lego Mindstorms

2.      Bricx Command Center (controlling motor and reading sensors, etc.)

3.      Basic robot construction (Roverbot)

 

NQC (Dave Baum’s not quite C language)

 

1.   Loading & compiling

2.      Reading and using RAW sensor values

3.      Controlling motor outputs

4.      Learning exercises

 

Basic Mechanical Concepts

 

1.      Lego technic construction

2.      Drive train and steering

3.      Motor torque vs. speed (pulse width modulation)

4.      Gears, belts, gear ratios, types of gears, etc.

 

Design Challenge (Line Follower)

 

1.      Design specifications

2.      Demonstrations

3.      Brief final report

 

Understanding RCX Input/Output and Constructing and Interfacing New Sensors

 

Passive Sensors

 

1.      Sensor input model and reading RAW sensor values on RCX

2.      Simulated sensor using 50k potentiometer (voltage divider)

3.      Ambient light sensor: CdS photoresistor

4.      PSPICE simulation of voltage divider

5.      Faster more consistent light sensor: Phototransistor

 

Active Sensors

 

1.      Using an o-scope to see the light sensor signal (8V 3ms, 5V .1ms with no sensor).

2.      Introduce analog input circuitry for new sensors (guarantees 0-5V to RCX)

3.      PSPICE simulation of input circuitry

4.      Construct and test input circuitry

5.      Applying test voltage to get various RAW values

6.      Construct and test sound sensor

a.       View microphone signal on o-scope

b.      Build Op-amp circuit

c.       Interface with input circuitry

d.      Simulate in PSPICE

7.      Other sensors?

a.       Differential light sensor

b.      Tone decoder for remote control via audible tones (possibly using a phone)

c.       Students can design their own sensor that produces a voltage 0V-5V or produces a variable resistance (or can select from information on the web).

 

Other Sensor Concepts

 

1.      Multiple sensors on a single input

2.      Proximity detector

 

Using Motor Outputs to Drive Other Loads

 

1.      Relay

2.      Transistor switch

 

Final Design Challenge (Firefighter Robot)

 

1.      Review problem specifications

  1. Review statement of work
  2. Teams prepare Gantt charts (time-line)
  3. Team demonstrations
  4. Team final report
  5. Team presentations