POLL: What sensors do you use

[Andrew Schuetze]

In 2004 we were fortunate to finally add a programming mentor and could do more than run the default program. We used an array of four optical sensor for line following and a seperate sensor for proximity to the wall. We also used some limit switches to stop rotation on our biggens ball arm. We had the pressure transducer on the compressor in hopes of cycling it but issues with autonomous occupied the ten weeks until regionals.

I am very much looking forward to this season as we have added a second programming mentor and an electronics mentor.

Question1: Is the gyro chip still legal? I seem to recall that it wasn't included in the kop last season but I am fuzzy in regards to whether it could be one of the off the shelf electronics purchases.

Question2: I am researching encoders and would appretiate any reference data for sensor that you have used and liked. Part #, online catalog, ...

Thanks ,

APS

[Marc P.]

Limit switches are a must for any mechanical device driven by a motor. Hard stops are necessary too, but without a limit switch to tell the RC when the device has reached it's end, the motor will continue to drive the device, even after it's hit the hard stop. Every motor-driven mechanical function I've ever worked on has always had limit switches in every critical place.

We have often used pots to determine the angular location of an arm or device, and I think team 25's arm this past season is the best example of a creative use for pots I've ever seen.

Optical sensors/banner sensors are one of the easiest methods of counting traveled distance accross the field. Paint gray/white/silver wheel hubs with a black matte paint at equal increments, and you've got a decent/cheap/easy counter.

In 2001 we used the gyro/angular accelerometer to self balance on the ramp carrying two goals (in under 30 seconds ).

[vtrehan]

We didn’t have many sensors last year as we were well.... rookies .

This year we are planning to work with an IR sensor mounted on the wheels for distance calculation (and we have a working prototype), and we used opto sensors for line following, we also had some limit switches for various purposes.

We are actually shopping around these days for a more reliable sensor for distance calculation, so if someone can recommend something more reliable and simple, please let us know .

Thanks,
Vivek.

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by vtrehan

We didn’t have many sensors last year as we were well.... rookies .

This year we are planning to work with an IR sensor mounted on the wheels for distance calculation (and we have a working prototype), and we used opto sensors for line following, we also had some limit switches for various purposes.

We are actually shopping around these days for a more reliable sensor for distance calculation, so if someone can recommend something more reliable and simple, please let us know .

Thanks,
Vivek.

In a word words: encoders. Search the forums and you will find several detailed threads. They are very easy to use and extremely accurate

[Astronouth7303]

I coded for (Whether or not they were placed on the bot, but most were) numerous sensors.

• 3 pots (shoulder, arm, & hand position)
• 1 switch (arm limit)
• 4 banners (quadrature)
• 1 current (for the hand, made a overload mech around that)
• 1 pressure (the simple pnuematic one, only controlled the compressor)
• 1 Gyro (compass)

I think that's it.