Steering and Throttle help...

[vteck21]

Hello,

Well, I am in need of learning about a steering and throttle system and how it is built and how it works. Hopefully, I want to find a less complex one that performs only the simple tasks needed to steer and accelerate, as well as stop.

If you could message me in some form of any websites, or any other place that I can find good help on how to do these things, it would be much appreciated.

Kyle

"If you can't laugh at yourslef, make fun of other people." - Bobby Slayton

[mercgryph]

well.
I think it would help if you could give a description of your current system before asking for a better one. id be glad to help though!

the anthromorphic quicksilver gryphon of the CAPacitors team 926
*wink* Mercury!
*!* Strike-A-Pose *!*

[bombbomb]

I agree a description of your last year drivetrain would be helpful, but I can just give an example of what our team used last year anyway.
Although the competition may or may not change drastically this year (some news on the first website about more changes this year than any other year...), the easiest drive system to use would be a tank drive style system, no servos or motors are necessary to separately turn the robot. Last year we used the two drill motors linked by chain to two wheels on either side, so turn on right side motor, turn left, left side motor, right.

(my attempt at a diagram in text of the setup on one side)

[] -wheel
:
: -chain
:
#-[==] -a gear attatched to the drill motor
:
: -more chain
:
[] -other wheel


Both on and you go forward, both back, you go bacwards, pretty simple, and easy to code. Stopping is kind of obvious, stop motors, robot stops (depending on traction and modifications to motors). That's an easy and useful system, some changes can be made to improve it, but usually it is up to the team to decide what to add and not add. (the more complex, the more likely problems will occur, but sometimes the complexity is worth it).

If you want any more information, like other drivetrain style, or anything else, feel free to contact me. (I believe my email is linked to my name, otherwise, just leave a message on here).

Jeff Mikrut
Team 991

[BBBix]

Well, If you are needing help with the eletronics aspect of it, the Innovation First controller comes pre loaded with a 2 stick tank drive type system. All you have to do is to hook up one joystick to the frist comm port on the Operator interface and the second joystick to the second comm port.

On the robot side, you will need to wire each of your drive motors to a Victor Speed controllers and plug a signal cable between the speed control and the analog outputs of the Robot Controller. Consult your manual as to which output channels to use (I think that the default is number 9 and something else, sorry, it is winter break and my manual is at school). This will create a simple but very effective drive system.

Avalible from the Innovation First website is a modification to the original code that comes pre-loaded into the robot controller that allows for a drive system with only one joystick. The wiring is the same as above except fot he fact that you do not use joystick number two.

As for the mechanical aspect, what our team uses year after year is a simple two wheel drive train with two castors on the other end of the bot. If you use this system (and belive me, it works, it has won regionals before), a good hint is to place as much weight as you can near the axle for the drive wheels to improve traction.

Hope this helps,

Bill B.
Team 418, "Purple Haze"
Austin, Texas

"Those who think that they know everything are especially annoying to those of us who do." ;)