University of Portland DONALD P. SHILEY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING. EGR Introduction to Engineering. First Year Design Project Fall Semester 2012

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1 University of Portland DONALD P. SHILEY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING EGR Introduction to Engineering First Year Design Project Fall Semester INTRODUCTION: The central focus of EGR 110 is a semester-long project, culminating in a design competition on Saturday, 1 Dec. (9:00 am noon, approximately). Students will work in teams of three or four to design, construct, program, test, and demonstrate a device that has been created to complete an assigned task (described below). The project is designed to emphasize the essence of engineering and computer science; that is to solve a problem under a variety of constraints, attempting to meet criteria that are often conflicting, and to do so in association with colleagues who may have slightly different viewpoints than their own. Successful completion of the project will not only involve designing, building, programming and demonstrating the device, but also reporting on the work in oral and written form. A good portion of the lecture component of EGR 110 will be devoted to these aspects, including: the design process, innovative thinking, sketching, technical writing and oral communication. SUMMARY OF PROJECT: The 2012 project will require student teams to use a variety of skills to accomplish the assigned task, summarized below, and described in greater detail on the following pages. Teams will be supplied with LEGO MindStorm kits, as well as miscellaneous construction materials, to create a device that can be programmed to autonomously follow specific instructions. This year s challenge is to design, construct, and program a device that is able to negotiate barriers and perform specified tasks. The competition area for each team, resembles a house, with a start area outside the front door. Teams can accumulate points by having its robot perform certain tasks in the structure with the number of points depending on the difficulty of the task performed. In addition, the device must proceed with caution, avoiding certain obstacles (set mousetraps). Three teams will compete simultaneously on separate competition courts. Each competitor s device must be built according to certain constraints (detailed below). The amount of time the device takes, and the cost of the device (using Monopoly money) will be factored into the scoring. COMPETITION CATEGORIES: The competition will have two rounds, with the three highest scoring teams advancing to the second round. Winning devices will be selected in each of the following categories: The highest score per unit time among all teams competing in the first round. The highest score per unit cost among all teams competing in the first round. Most innovative design among all teams competing in the first round. The highest score among teams competing in the second round EGR 110 Project 1 Revised: 16 August 2012

2 A team may receive only one award. In the event that a team should win in more than one category, award(s) will be given to runner(s) up. The preference of awards is given in the order listed above. For example, if a team wins both the highest score per cost and the highest score per time, then the team will win the highest score per time. The runner-up in the cost category will receive that award. COMPETITION AREA: The competition area is show in Figure Station A Set-up area 6 0 Station B 2 0 Wall Porch (set-up area) Station B Random mousetrap locations Mousetrap location Station A Plywood (shaded area) Figure 1. Diagram of each team s competition area. While the layout of the competition area resembles the walls of a one-room house, they are only 3.5 inches high, allowing the audience to view the competition. The competition area includes three sections. Two sections are on a one-half inch thick section of plywood, measuring four feet by eight feet. One section, the porch set-up area, is two feet by four feet, and will have no walls. The second section, inside the walls on the plywood, is four feet by six feet. The third section, the set-up area off the plywood, is located on the floor and measures two feet by eight feet. A two-foot wide doorway allows access between the porch and walled areas on the plywood. Inside the doorway are seven rectangles marking potential hazard locations. The one closest to the door will contain a mousetrap. Two mousetraps will be located on two of the remaining six locations. At the start 2012 EGR 110 Project 2 Revised: 16 August 2012

3 of each competition period, these two traps will be located randomly on two of the six locations. In addition to the hazards, there are four stations, two type A stations and two type B, located in the competition area where teams can accomplish specific tasks (described further below). There is a black line (not shown on the diagram) painted on the middle of the plywood, running from the porch to the opposite wall. Note that there may be minor differences between the diagram shown here and the actual competition area. Also, devices should be designed with the knowledge that there may be minor differences between the practice competition area and the one at the competition on the first of December. TASKS: There are four possible tasks that can be performed: retrieving a sprung mousetrap, retrieving an unsprung mousetrap, illuminating a light at station A, and illuminating a light at station B. Each of the three mousetraps will have legs located at each end as shown in Figure 2. For a trap to be counted as retrieved, it must be taken outside the walled area. However, for each trap that is sprung without being removed from the walled area, two points will be deducted from the team s score. Stations A and B are switches that operate lights. The switches are rocker switches, similar to the ones on the wall in Shiley 110. Figure 3 shows the dimensions of the switches. The on portions of the switches at Station A are painted green. Those at Station B are painted red. At Station A the switch is mounted about 18 inches from the floor and about 5 ½ inches from the wall. To activate the switch, it must be pushed vertically from underneath. The light at Station B will be illuminated when the switch is pushed (bumped) from the side. The switch at Station B is mounted vertically on the wall with the top edge of the switch 3 ¼ inches from the floor /32 Painted section 1-1/8 7/8 2-5/16 3 Figure 2. Diagram of mousetrap with approximate dimensions. Front view Figure 3. Diagram of light switch. Side view 2012 EGR 110 Project 3 Revised: 16 August 2012

4 Each task has a different level of difficulty, and therefore a different scoring value as shown in Table 1. Table 1. Tasks and Associated Point Values Task Point Value Retrieve an un-sprung trap and deliver it to the set-up area 8 Retrieve a sprung trap and deliver it to the set-up area 1 Illuminate light at Station A 3 Illuminate light at Station B 1 SCORING A team s score will be determined by adding the value of each competed task. Points will be awarded at the end of the competition period or at the time a team wishes its clock to stop (whichever comes first). To score, a retrieved trap must be completely outside the doorway (not touching the tape boundary). The competition will involve two rounds. All teams will compete in the first round with three teams competing simultaneously. The three teams with the highest score in the first round will compete in the second round. DETAILS OF COMPETITION: 1. As shown in Figure 1, the competition area includes two set-up areas. A team s device must start the competition in the area encompassed by these two regions. The device must not extend over the boundaries of these areas, although it may expand or travel beyond the areas after the twominute competition period has started. The boundaries of the area will be marked with tape, with the interior edge of the tape delineating the line. 2. Each team will have two minutes to set up its device in its set-up area prior to the competition period. During the set up period, one mousetrap will be placed on the set (non-random) location and the two random mouse traps will be placed on two of the six specified locations. The two random locations will be determined by rolling dice at the beginning of each round of the competition. 3. During the three minute competition period, the device must operate autonomously, following instructions programmed before the start of the competition. Team members must stand outside the competition area and not block the audience view. Team members may not touch the device during the competition period, with the rare exception of a restart (see item 9 below). 4. Students and devices may not enter another team s competition area. Doing so may result in disqualification. 5. The three teams competing simultaneously will observe the same setup and competition clocks. A team wishing to compete for the highest-score-per-time award must have the team leader notify 2012 EGR 110 Project 4 Revised: 16 August 2012

5 the time keeper when he or she wishes time to be called. However, other teams may continue competing until they call time or the competition clock expires. 6. During the competition, a team may restart one or more times (for example, due to jamming of the device), by informing the judge, retrieving the device, and replacing it in the set-up area. However, the three minute clock and the team s clock will continue to run from the initial start of the competition period. In addition, before restarting, the team must manually move all the relocated mousetraps back to their original starting positions on the platform. 7. It is not legal to screw, nail, glue, or otherwise damage or mar any part of the competition floor or obstacles. Additionally, teams may not alter the mouse traps in any way. 8. All electrical power must be supplied by one of the provided battery packs. 9. In very rare circumstances, if at the beginning of the three minute competition period, a team experiences a catastrophic mechanical or electrical failure which is clearly not its fault, the three judges may grant a second chance by allowing the team to compete again at the end of the competition. 10. There may be minor differences between the practice and competition areas (floor surface, traction, etc.). The design should account for these possible variations. 11. Before the beta test and competition, each device should be clearly labeled with its team number (e.g., G2) 12. Two adaptors (parts 110 and 111) may be purchased to allow connection between the LEGO parts and any team-designed appendage. Team members must be cognizant of the strength of the adaptor and its connection when designing appendages to the device. 13. Further details and/or clarifications will be posted on the course web site as they are determined. WORK SPACE: Room 110 in Shiley Hall is set aside for the use of EGR 110 students during the semester. Adjacent to the room are a tool room and a Parts Department. Purchased materials must be obtained from the Parts Department, which will be open during certain hours (to be posted). Materials that a team may want cut or machined, must be given to Tool Room workers with specific instructions. Lockers and locks will be available in room 110 for storage of tools/devices. TOOLS AND MATERIALS: Construction Kit. Early in the semester each team will be provided with a MindStorm kit, and a construction kit with a tool box and some materials. Damaged or non-working tools or parts can be exchanged at any time the Parts Department is open. Appendix 1 lists tools found in the tool box. All tools in the construction kit, as well as MindStorm parts, must be returned to the Parts Department before the last day of classes. Failure to do so will result in a course grade of F for all team members EGR 110 Project 5 Revised: 16 August 2012

6 MindStorm parts cannot be modified or glued. If any modification or glue is found at the time of the competition, the device will be disqualified. Tools. In addition to the tools provided in the construction kit, students have access to the tools listed in Table 2 below. These tools can be checked out from the Parts Department during hours of operation. Failure to return tools on time will compromise a team s ability to use other tools. Team members will be charged for any tools that are not returned. Students may use their own tools, but only those that are available in the tool room to all students. Table 2. Hand Tools Available for Checkout Coping saw Tri-square Electrical tape Channel lock pliers Screw drivers Hammer Needle nose pliers Bending tool Scissors Adjustable crescent wrench Calipers Sheet metal sheers (for cans) Materials. Materials not provided in the Construction Kit can be purchased" from the Project Storekeeper in the Parts Department. Team members may order materials by completing a Materials Order Form (see copy attached at the end of this document). Appendix 2 lists the materials and gives the size and monopoly money cost of each item. Materials can only be purchased in the unit quantities given in the appendix, and each team s total purchases cannot exceed the maximum quantities listed. No tools (from construction kit, tool room or LEGO kit) can be used as part of the device. Steel weights must be returned in their original condition (for example, do not cut them). Students may use certain recycled products. If used, these materials must be obtained by students; they will not be supplied. Recycled materials that are allowed are shown in Table 3. Materials may only be ordered after the date listed in Table 4. Those marked with an asterisk (*) on the list must be returned to the Parts Department during the last week of the semester. Table 3. Recycled Construction Materials Recycled material Maximum Size Limit on quantity Shoe box Just large enough to store 1 1 pair of size 14 men s shoes Corrugated cardboard Up to ¼ inch thick 10 sq. ft. Soda cans 12 oz. 6 Plastic soda/water bottles 2 liter bottle 6 CD or DVD disc standard 4 Except for designated recycled materials, paint or other means of decoration, no outside materials may be used. Painting can only be done with approval from Craig Henry at scheduled times in the shop. Paint may only be used on balsa wood and recycled materials. Each team will need to keep track of its materials and their costs for inclusion in the final memo. The Parts Department clerk will keep an independent account for use in evaluating projects EGR 110 Project 6 Revised: 16 August 2012

7 REPORTS: Design report. Each student must individually prepare a design report that describes the team s design. Team members should have agreed on the same design concept and must present this common concept in their individual reports. A draft design report will be handed in approximately two weeks before the final version is due (see schedule in Table 4). The draft will be graded and count toward the midterm report grade. Students will have the opportunity to incorporate changes based in their instructor s comments in the final version of the design report, presumably allowing students to improve grades. The design report grade will be based on the draft (50%) and final versions of the report (50%). Final Memo. Each student must submit a memo at the end of the semester summarizing how his/her team performed in the design competition. Details will be discussed in class. Oral report. Each team must prepare and present an oral summary of its project, including its design, the design process, and performance in the competition. The instructors will provide details of their expectations for the oral report. Each team will be given approximately minutes for its presentation at the end of the semester. IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES: Details of the design project will be presented during the first week of class. While students will work on the project in teams, each student will individually prepare a midterm report and a final memo, as described above. Each team will give an oral presentation on its device during the last week of classes. The schedule of project activities is given in Table 4. Table 4. Dates and Deadlines for Project Activities Activity/Deadline Date Balsa frame test due First day to order materials Draft design report due Draft design report returned Revised design report due Device Beta Test Last day to order materials Design competition (Chiles Center) Oral presentations Construction/MindStorm kits returned Final memos due 21 September 26 September 12 October 29 October 5 November 19, 20, 21 November 28 November 1 December 3, 5, 7 December 7 December 7 December 2012 EGR 110 Project 7 Revised: 16 August 2012

8 Appendix 1 Tool Kit Contents Team # Tools X-acto knife and extra blades (3) Miter saw Miter box Construction clamps (3) Sanding stick Adjustable snap knife Masking tape (this is not a part - for temporary construction use only)** Sheet of sandpaper** Safety glasses Tweezers T-pins 6 Ruler Bottle of wood glue Team tags (for tool check out) Note: All items must be returned during the last week of class, except for items marked with ** Received by: Date: Received by: Date: Received by: Date: Received by: Date: 2012 EGR 110 Project 8 Revised: 16 August 2012

9 Appendix 2 Materials Available for Purchase (* Note: Items marked with an asterisk must be returned during the last week of classes) Item Item Description Unit Unit Quantity No. Price Available 110* Flat LEGO adaptor (comes with 1 HPC and hardware, ea.) 1 ea $ * Right-angle LEGO adaptor (comes with 1 HPC and hardware, ea.) 1 ea $ Wire Tie, 4" 1 ea $ Wire Tie, 7" 1 ea $ Wire Tie, 11" 1 ea $ Velcro, hook 5 cm $ Velcro, loom 5 cm $ Cardboard Sheet Stock, 14"x22" 1 ea $ Paper Tube, 4.2cm x 76.3 cm 1 ea $ Brass Rod, 1/8" nominal 1 cm $ Brass Tube, 1/8" nominal 1 cm $ Dacron fishing line, 2700N (50 lb.) nominal 1 m $ Rubber Bands 1 ea $ Wood, Balsa strip, 3.2mm x 12.7 mm x 90 cm (1/8" x 1/2" x 36") 1 ea $ Wood, Balsa strip, 3.2mm x 6.4 mm x 90 cm (1/8" x 1/4" x 36") 1 ea $ Dowel, Hardwood, 6.4mm (1/4") dia 1 cm $ Dowel, Hardwood, 3.2mm (1/8") dia 1 cm $ Wood basswood strip 3.1mm x 12.7mm x 60cm (1/8" x ½" x 24") 1 ea $ Plywood, 15cm x 30cm x 0.32cm (6" x 12" x 1/8") 1 ea $ Nylon bearing, 7.9mm 1 ea $ Nylon bearing, 14.2mm 1 ea $ Screw, wood, round head, small 1 ea $ Screw, wood, round head, medium 1 ea $ Screw, wood, round head, large 1 ea $ Wire, steel, 30cm length 1 ea $ * Weight, steel, 143 grams 1 ea $ * LEGO Resource Kit 1 ea $ * LEGO Motor / Servo 1 ea $ * LEGO Color Sensor 1 ea $ * LEGO Light Sensor 1 ea $ * LEGO Bump Sensor 1 ea $ * LEGO Ultrasonic Sensor 1 ea $ EGR 110 Project 9 Revised: 16 August 2012

10 Appendix 3 Materials Order Form Materials Order Form UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND DONALD P. SHILEY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING EGR Introduction to Engineering - First Year Design Project Part No. Description Standard Unit Number of Units Unit Cost Cost Total: Team Number: Date Ordered: Team Signatures: Team contact Turn in form to Inbox on Parts Department Door Note: No orders will be filled without all the above information and signatures Received by: Date received: 2012 EGR 110 Project 10 Revised: 16 August 2012