LEGO(R) MINDSTORMS(R) EV3 (eBook)

Mark Bell is a middle school science and technology teacher residing in Los Angeles. His passion for designing things, debugging them, and requirements engineering has led to a twenty-five year career as a technologist in support of aerospace, military, education, and the intelligence community. For the last decade, Mark has been an instructor with gifted, young robotics students in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. He teaches regularly at several locations in the US and Hong Kong. James Floyd Kelly is a professional writer from Atlanta, Georgia. He has written numerous books on multiple subjects, including LEGO robotics, open source software, and building your own CNC machine as well as a 3D printer. 

Contents at a Glance 5
Contents 7
About the Authors 14
About the Technical Reviewer 15
Acknowledgments 16
Introduction 18
Chapter 1: Tomb, Trap, and Trigger 21
Day 2: King Ixtua Tomb Excavation, 4:42 PM 21
Tunnel Challenge 23
Evan’s Solution 24
Chapter 2: ExploroBot: Planning and Design 26
The ExploroBot 26
The Robot Description 28
The Task List 29
Limitations and Constraints 30
Mindstorm 32
Sketches 34
Chapter 3: ExploroBot: Build It 36
Never Be Afraid to Experiment 36
Step by Step 37
First Section: Infrared Sensor and Neck 37
Second Section: Bot Body and Motors 40
Third Section: Rear-Wheel Assembly and Reinforcement Strut 45
Engineering: Axles as Reinforcements: Strong and Adjustable 50
Fourth Section: Put It All Together 52
Chapter 4: ExploroBot: Program It 60
Some Experience Required 60
Into the Tunnel 64
Engineering: Encoders: How Does a Motor “Know” Where It Is? 68
Out of the Tunnel 70
What the Degree, Kenneth? (With Apologies to REM) 72
Engineering: Measuring Actual Motor Rotations from the Brick Screen 72
Opening the Tomb Door 74
Chapter 5: String, Pebbles, and Gravity 76
Day 3: Inside King Ixtua’s Tomb, 8:13 AM 76
More Monkey Business 76
Vine Challenge 78
Evan’s Solution 79
Chapter 6: StringBot: Planning 80
Design and Planning 80
The StringBot 80
The Robot Description 81
The Task List 82
Limitations and Constraints 83
Mindstorm 85
Sketches 88
Chapter 7: StringBot: Build It 89
Where to Start? 89
Step by Step 90
First Section: Right-Side Motor Assembly with IR Sensor 91
Second Section: Left-Side Motor Assembly with Guides and Rubber Wheel 95
Left-Side Motor Sub-Assembly 95
Guides, Axles, and Rubber Wheel 96
Third Section: Carrier and Pebble Release Mechanism 103
Fourth Section: The Intelligent Brick and Putting It All Together 107
Chapter 8: StringBot: Program It 111
Get Familiar with the Blocks 111
The STOP Block 114
The SWITCH Block 114
Getting to the Vase 115
Above the Vase 119
Back for More 122
Testing: Filling the Vase 124
Chapter 9: Scroll, Key, and Camera 127
Day 3: Tomb Reception Area, 6:08 PM 127
The King’s Library 128
Key Retrieval Challenge 130
Grace’s Solution 132
Chapter 10: SnapShotBot: Planning and Design 134
SnapShotBot Planning and Design 134
The Robot Description 135
The Task List 136
Task 1 137
Task 2 138
Task 3 138
Task 4 139
Task 5 141
Task 6 142
Task 7 142
Task 8 142
Task 9 142
Task 10 142
What About the Twine? 142
Limitations and Constraints 143
Mindstorm 143
Sketches 145
Chapter 11: SnapShotBot: Build It 146
Engineering: “Good Enough” with a Peg-Leg? 146
Jump In 147
Step by Step 148
First Section: Basic Body with Hardpoints 148
Engineering: The Concept of Stiffness 151
Engineering: Hardpoints 152
Second Section: Color Sensor, IR Sensor, and the Camera Trigger 152
Engineering: Gears Trade Speed for Power 160
Third Section: Adjustable Camera Frame 163
Engineering: Early and Rapid Mechanical Testing 166
Chapter 12: SnapShotBot: Program It 171
One Block at a Time 171
Finding the Basket 175
Getting Around the Basket 176
Getting the Bot Home 179
Chapter 13: Get In, Grab It, Get Out 184
Day 4: Outside King Ixtua’s Library, 8:43 AM 184
The Throne Room 184
Locate the Burial Chamber 185
Scroll Challenge 187
Max’s Solution 189
Chapter 14: GrabberBot: Planning and Design 190
GrabberBot Planning and Design 190
The Robot Description 190
The Task List 191
Limitations and Constraints 193
Mindstorm 193
Sketches 196
Chapter 15: GrabberBot: Build It 197
First Section: Main Body Tank-Treads 198
Second Section: Grabber Assembly (Lifting Arm Mechanism) 208
Third Section: Infrared Sensor, Touch Sensor, and Wiring 224
Engineering: How to Hold the Jaw Shut? An Elastic Grabber Latch 227
Chapter 16: GrabberBot: Program It 231
Down the Tunnel . . . Again . . . 231
Engineering: A Well-Regulated START 232
Engineering: Precise Calculation of Distance: Rotations and Degrees 233
Approaching the Scroll 235
Acquiring the Scroll 238
Engineering: Parallel Processes 239
Engineering: Testing and Making Changes 242
Engineering: Timing the Parallel Paths 242
Chapter 17: Bravery, Wisdom, and Honor 245
Day 5: Inside King Ixtua’s Throne Room, 10:12 AM 245
The Burial Chamber 246
Famous Figures 247
The Final Challenge 248
Evan’s Solution 249
Chapter 18: PushBot: Planning and Design 250
PushBot Planning and Design 250
The Robot Description 250
The Task List 252
Limitations and Constraints 253
Mindstorm 254
Sketches 255
Chapter 19: PushBot: Build It 256
Step by Step 257
Engineering: The Difference Between Designing and Explaining 257
First Section: Figurine Jaw Cage/Medium Motor Mechanism 257
Engineering and the Concept of Stiffness II: Angles, Brackets, and Connectors 265
Second Section: Neck/Infrared Sensor Frame Assembly with Caster Wheel 273
Engineering: Rear-Wheel Designs and Their Constraints 273
Third Section: Main Body and Motors 288
Engineering: Prototypes and Parts You Don’t “Need” 293
Chapter 20: PushBot: Program It 303
Getting the PushBot Into Position 303
Positioning Three Figurines 309
The Final Figurine 318
Chapter 21: Discovery, Secret, and Home 324
Day 7: Base Camp, King Ixtua’s Tomb, 11:05 AM 324
Appendix A: THE MINDSTORMS Community and EV3 Web Sites 326
LEGO Club User Account 326
Community Gallery 327
Online Reference and Support 328
Web Sites 328
Blogs and Forums 329
Appendix B: Robot Commander Remote Control App 330
Downloading and Running the Robot Commander App 330
The Perfect Hardware-Testing App 331
Engineering: Isolating Design Issues in Testing 332
Appendix C: Kit Organization: Where Do All Those Parts Go? 333
The Top Tray for the Small Parts 333
Bottom Tray for the Large Parts 334
A Secure Lid Is Your Friend 335
Appendix D: Building Instructions for Bots 337
What Will the Background Be? 337
Step by Step Picture-Taking Strategy 338
Lighting, Camera, and Lens Choices 339
Index 341