Welcome to the micro-controller section! Thank you for your willingness to participate in this experiment to improve 2.007. If we do our job well, you will have a great experience and will also help shape the future of the course.
Computers and electronics are an essential part of most mechanical systems. To be an effective mechanical engineer today, you have to understand what embedded computers and electronic subsystems can do and how to integrate them into a larger system. This does not imply that you have to become an electronics engineer, but it does mean you have to understand the terminology, interface protocols, capabilities, and limitations of electronic components. This section of 2.007 is intended to be a first step toward these objectives as detailed below.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
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Apply good practices in design of simple systems including mechanical components, electrical/electronic modules, and software.
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Exhibit working knowledge of the functions of basic sensors (optoelectronic, sonic, contact switches) and actuators (motors and motor controllers) and the limitations and advantages of each in mechanical design.
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Develop software for electromechanical systems and explain basic concepts of programming such as data types and control structures (IF/THEN/ELSE, FOR loops, and SUBROUTINE calls).
This section is not going to award extra credit. We are adding content and a few assignments, but we will compensate by simplifying other assignments. The reason we're taking this approach is that this experiment is intended to test the viability of incorporating microprocessors into 2.007 into all the regular sections. 2.007 will not carry more units long term, so we have to find ways to make it fit within the current constraints.
Being in this section does not obligate you to use a micro-controller in your 2.007 machine. The micro-controller is like any other element of the kit. You should use it if its capabilities enhance your chosen strategy.
This section will cost a bit extra. You will pay $100 toward the purchase of a micro-controller, actuators, etc. MIT will pay for the rest.
We have chosen the BASIC Stamp 2 as the micro-controller for this section. It is widely used, well documented, reliable, and has many compatible sensor and actuator modules available. We also like the simple and robust development environment for the BASIC programming language. You can place the application on any PC and work in the MIT labs or anywhere else you have access to a Windows based machine. See parallaxinc.com for more details.
In order to learn about the BASIC Stamp, we want you to begin with a complete working system and understand its function. Then you can make changes to its programming and components. We have decided on three different systems from which you may choose. You can decide which system to purchase, build, and modify based on your ideas for the contest or you may pick whatever strikes your fancy. Note that you cannot use the motors, mechanical components, or structural materials from these systems in your final 2.007 machine (but you can use the micro-controller, sensors, and any other electronics).
Please select one of the three systems below, buy it on-line, have it shipped so that it will arrive before Thursday of the first week and bring it to the first meeting of our section (the computer lab). When we meet from 1-5 pm that day, we will begin assembling and operating the kits. Bring your receipt and we will process a reimbursement of your expenses (except for the first $100).
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NAME |
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DESCRIPTION |
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STOCK # |
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PRICE |
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BOEbot |
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Three wheeled vehicle. The BS2 micro-controller is mounted on a very handy prototyping board with a prototyping area. |
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28132
(full kit) |
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$229.00 http://www.parallax.com/ |
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Lynx 5 Robotic Arm |
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An arm with base rotation, shoulder, elbow and wrist motion, with a gripper The BS2 micro-controller is DIP mounted on a very simple board with no prototyping area. Includes a servo controller for up to 12 servos. |
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L5BC-KT
(combo kit for BS2) |
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$322.02
http://www.lynxmotion.com/
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Toddler |
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Two legged walking robot. The BS2 is surface mounted on a special board so is perhaps less flexible. Kit includes four infrared sensors and receivers, photoresistors, and a speaker. |
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27311
(full kit) |
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$249.00
http://www.parallax.com/
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Again, welcome to the section! We're looking forward to working with you.