2011 Minibot electronics

[Nishant]

Can you make your own logic circuitry to control the minibot instead of using the controllers?
Thanks,
Nishant

[Tom Line]

Let's expand on that. What are the wiring requirements for the minibot? Do we have to use a motor controller? What type fusing?

So many questions about the minibot, and no answers that I've been able to find in the documentation.

[ratdude747]

I think you have to use the NXT brick or hardwired switches. see R92:

The following items are the only permitted materials for use on the MINIBOTS:
A. TETRIX components,
B. no more than two motors (PN
W739083),
C. exactly one 12V rechargeable
NiMH battery pack identical to
those supplied in the FTC kit of
parts (PN W739057)
D. No more than one HiTechnic DC
motor controllers,
E. No more than one NXT controller
with the Bluetooth functionality
disabled,
F. Polycarbonate,
G. Polycarbonate glue,
If an observation is made that aQRWKHUWHDP¶V52%27PD\EHLQYLRODWLRQRIWKHUR ERW
rules, please approach FIRST officials to review the matter in question. This is an
area where Gracious Professionalism is very important© FIRST 2011 FRC Game Manual, Section 3 ± The Robot, Rev- Page 31 of 32
H. Aluminum sheet, 90° angle, uchannel, tube, bar,
I. rivets,
J. non-metallic rope or cord,
K. wire nuts,
L. cable ties,
M. limit switches,
N. no more than two common
household light switches,
O. wire of appropriate gauge (see
Rule <R40>),
P. non-slip pad,
Q. PVC or CPVC pipe,
R. PVC cement or cleaner,
S. Mechanical hardware (i.e.
screws, bolts, etc) ,
T. Loctite or similar thread-locking
product,
U. Rubber bands,
V. Surgical tubing,
W. Electrical tape and shrink tubing,
X. PWM extension cables,
Y. Universal security clips to hold
the PWM connectors together,
Z. Hook and loop fastener (may not
be used as tape), and
AA.Magnets.

my vote would be for the nxt brick...

[Duncan Macdonald]

If I am understanding the manual correctly, I thought I could hook up a circuit consisting of a battery, light switch, and motor? Legal by R92 because there is no more than one controller.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Please check sections
4.3.14 MINIBOT
4.3.15 MINIBOT Inspection
If you use a controller it must be an NXT controller.
<R92> The following items are the only permitted materials for use on the MINIBOTS:
A. TETRIX components,
E. No more than one NXT controller with the Bluetooth functionality disabled,

[JohnHorton]

It seems like one could build it without any "brains" at all. In fact, I think a KISS design with, say, a light switch turned on by the hostbot and turned off when impacting the target, rigged to a motor directly might be the best idea. They were very specific about having " exactly one 12V rechargeable NiMH battery pack...", so it would seem they want this to be electrically driven as opposed to something mechanically launched from the hostbot.
Unless you just stick a battery on your projectile minibot. That'd be legal.

[Bruceb]

I think the battery statement is vague. Do you read it as the mini bot MUST have a battery?
It seems we could build a recoil motor with the surgical tubing??
Hmm

[Jester]

where might I find these ftc parts?

[JoesephWhite]

Originally Posted by Jester

where might I find these ftc parts?

http://shop.pitsco.com/store/default...=1&page=1&s=32

[MarcD79]

Originally Posted by Bruceb

I think the battery statement is vague. Do you read it as the mini bot MUST have a battery?
It seems we could build a recoil motor with the surgical tubing??
Hmm

Team update #1 yesterday saying it MUST be electrically powered climbing ability

[Kdabr]

What about deploying a minibot that has a base module (containing a battery and controller) that would be tethered to the actual climbing bit? I think this would be legal because a minibot would still be deployed, but only half of the minibot would climb...right? The base module would rest on the pole's circular platform while the upper part climbed.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Kdabr

What about deploying a minibot that has a base module (containing a battery and controller) that would be tethered to the actual climbing bit? I think this would be legal because a minibot would still be deployed, but only half of the minibot would climb...right?

The pole is more than 12" high ... just sayin'

(all of it)

[keyslammer]

Originally Posted by MarcD79

Team update #1 yesterday saying it MUST be electrically powered climbing ability

They've clarified that no "stored energy" other than what would be in a battery can be used. So you MUST use the electrical energy to move your minibot. Basically, you have to have the battery.

[peter1626]

I am a little confused by R92 it says that you are allowed 1 12v battery pack and 1 NXT controller, but the NXT requires 6 AA batteries thats 9 volts, so does this mean we are allowed to use both the NXT WITH its standard battery in addition to a 12V FTC Battery pack or do we have to somehow modify the NXT?

[JohnHorton]

Originally Posted by peter1626

I am a little confused by R92 it says that you are allowed 1 12v battery pack and 1 NXT controller, but the NXT requires 6 AA batteries thats 9 volts, so does this mean we are allowed to use both the NXT WITH its standard battery in addition to a 12V FTC Battery pack or do we have to somehow modify the NXT?

Well, a 9v regulator would work, but that isn't listed on the components allowed.I find it kind of odd they don't allow basic electronics (resistors, caps, etc.) for the minibot. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I think a simple DC loop of Battery - Lightswitch - motor(s) - back again might be the best, as far as electronics go.