NASA SENSORS: Build A Sturdy Car/Rover

Lynne Hehr, John Hehr, Cindy Cardwell, Mary Alice Mixon

Center for Math and Science EducationArkansas NASA Educator Resource Center

University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701

This is a. . .?

RCX “brick” Brains and body

of the car Uses infrared

communication

This is a . . . ?

Motor 9 volt with gear

reduction powers the car

This is . . . ?

Short cable connector Connects the motor to

the “brains”

This is a . . . ?

Double angle beam

Used to connect the RCX to the front wheels

This is a . . . ?

2 by 8

8

2

Beam

This is a . . . ?

1 by 6

Beam

These are . . . ?

Plates Measured same

as beams With or without

holes

This is a . . . ?

Plates help support motors

2 by 2 plate

6 by 8 plate

This is a . . . ?

connector peg with knob

connector peg with axle

These are . . . ?

Wheels and hubs

This is. . . ?

1 X 4 Beam

1 X 16 Beam

6 peg

12 peg

These are axels.

How long are they?

This is a . . .?

1 X 12 beam

Axel lengths are measured just as beams and plates.

This is a . . . ?

2 x 4 plate

2 x 6 plate

These are . . . ?

A gear is a wheel with regularly spaced teeth cut into its rim. One gear can turn another when its teeth mesh with the teeth of another gear.

24 tooth crown gear

40 tooth gear

16 tooth gear

gears

These are . . . ?

A pulley is a wheel with a grooved rim for a belt, chain, or rope.

O ring and pulley wheels

Building a Sturdy Car/Rover

Take the piece(s) shown on the screen - then pass the container to your team mate. Attach the pieces when directed to do so.

You will need this piece.

1 RCXThe RCX is the body and brains of the car.

2 motorsThe motors power the car.

You will need these pieces.

2 short cablesThe cables attach the RCX to the motors.

2 Connector Pegs with AxleThese pegs have a connector on one end and an axle on the other.

4 Connector Pegs with KnobThese connect the double angled beams to the RCX.

2 double angled beamsThese beams are used to attach the wheels to the RCX.

You will need these pieces.

1 2 x 4 plateThe plate will further support the motors.

2 1 x 10 platesThese plate help attach the motors and make the car sturdy.

2 2 x 6 platesThe plates are used to attach the motors to the RCX.

You will need these pieces.

2 2 x 4 bricksBricks help make the motors the same

height as the RCX.

4 TiresWheels are made from tires and hubs.

4 HubsHubs are the center part of tires.

You will need these pieces.

Program Interface

Computer Software Infrared tower RCX

Building a Sturdy Car/Rover

Attach the connector pegs with knobs to the RCX. Two pegs go on each side.

Attach the double angled beams to each side of the RCX. Make sure the angled side faces the IR window.

Attach the connectors with axle to the double angled beam. Notice that the axle end is sticking out.

Connect the two motors with the bricks.

Use the 2x6 plates to attach the motors to the RCX.

Turn over the RCX, carefully.

The 1x10 plates and the 2x4 plate are used as additional support for the motors.

Put the hubs inside the tires and attach the wheels.

                                          

 

The cables connect the RCX to the motors.

The RCX brick

Test the car/rover…

When your team has finished the car/rover, find an area with no obstructions, place it on the floor, press the on/off button and see what happens.

Does it need adjustments? After several trials, return the intact car to the

container and bring it to the front of the room.

The software

                                          

 

Be sure to get Robolab 2.5.4

if you have XP on your system.

Useful materials Gear trains and gear boards AIMS Brick Layers AIMS lesson activities NASA SENSORS sites MINDSTORMS ROBOLAB LEGO Dacta sets NASA Robotics lessons

Websites and Lego Booth

For NASA SENSORS info, this PowerPoint lesson, and other materials, access:

Center for Math and Science EducationArkansas NASA Educator Resource Center

University of Arkansas

www.uark.edu/~k12info

Visit the Pitsco and LEGO booths #1826 and #1827