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MAXA Robotics 2011. RCX 2-Motor Car Adapted from Physics by Design, Second Edition , by Barbara Bratzel , College House Enterprises, 2007. TASK DESCRIPTION.
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MAXA Robotics 2011 RCX 2-Motor Car Adapted from Physics by Design, Second Edition, by Barbara Bratzel, College House Enterprises, 2007
TASK DESCRIPTION • The objective of this task is to build a simple RCX two-motor car, which will be used in several projects throughout our study of RCX robotics. • To prepare for this task, you may practice it as much as you need to, but you will be required to pass it off within 15 minutes whenever you decide you are ready. • The basic instructions are shown on the next few slides…practice this process until you have mastered it!
Traditional lego parts • Unlike the NXT peg-and-beam building system, the RCX brick works well with the long-established brick-and-plate building system. • It is important to the know the basic parts and their names, so let’s first look at several.
Bricks The basic building blocks of the LEGO system are the bricks. They come in various sizes, and are named according to how many posts they have on each row and column. Here are several of the more common bricks.
Bricks From top to bottom, left to right, the names are: 1X12 11-hole brick, 1X2 cross-hole brick, 1X2 1-hole brick, 1X2 solid brick, 2X4 solid brick, 1X4 3-hole brick, 2X2 solid brick
Plates These are plates, another set of basic components of the traditional LEGO system. They are also named according to their dimensions. Above you see a 1X6 plate, 1X4 plate, 2X10 plate, and a 2X6 5-hole plate.
Comparison It takes three plates stacked together to equal the thickness of a brick. This is important to know as you attempt various construction projects.
RCX The RCX brick was developed using the traditional brick-and-plate system. It is, itself, a brick, as you can see! Bricks and plates can be easily attached to the top and bottom.
RCX The power for the RXC brick is supplied by six AA batteries. When these batteries run down, they must be replaced carefully, one battery at a time, so that the “firmware” inside is not lost. Otherwise, it takes a long 5-minute download to replace the firmware.
RCX On each side of the brick there are two holes that can connect to “holey” bricks and beams, further enhancing the possibilities for construction.
Step 1 Let’s start the building process for the RCX 2-motor car. Find two motors and two 2X4 bricks. Put the motors back to back and connect them on top with the two bricks, as shown.
Step 2 Using two 2X6 plates, attach the motor assembly to the back of the RCX brick.
Step 3 On the bottom, reinforce the motor assembly attachment to the RCX brick using the four plates as shown.
Step 4 The support for the brick is a three-part system…2 wheels and a “skid” plate, as you can see.
RCX 2-Motor CarCompleted! This car will be used in several projects throughout your study of RCX robotics.
Time to practice! Practice this construction until you have mastered it and can accomplish it in 15 minutes or less. When you are ready, tell a mentor so you can pass it off. Good luck!