fischertechnik ROBO LT Beginner Lab

Additional Information for Educators and Administrators

Specific concepts addressed with this set: Introduction to constructing and programming robotic models.

Learning about the components and software to be used:
Brief overview of the electro-technical components used for these robotic models, including actuators, sensors, motor and gearbox, push button switches. How a push button switch works—‘closed’ and ‘break contact’ connections. The basics of using ROBO Pro Light software.

Models:
Build a model of a working Merry-Go-Round, and create a program in ROBO Pro Light to control the models function. Learn about the various elements that make up your program. After testing and running the original program, perform some modifications to your program to vary the models functions.

Build a working model of a traffic signal (Pedestrian Light) and program it to have different phases of red and green lights when a button is pushed.

Build a model of a lighthouse with blinking light, Program a ‘beacon’ according to the isophase principle, with equal phases of light and dark. Then program your model according to the flash principle, with briefer, unequal periods of light and dark. Finally, program the model according to the blink principle, with both lights illuminated for a different period of time independent of each other.

Build a model of a refrigerator to learn how the principle behind its lighting system works. Program this models light to go on when the door is open, and then modify the program so that a red indicator light will blink if the door is open for a certain length of time.

Build a model of a washing machine to learn about how its various cycles work. Program the model to have a wash cycle, a safety switch for the door of the machine, a spin cycle, a drying cycle, and finally an indicator showing what cycle the machine is in as well as when all cycles are completed.

Build a sliding door model. Design various programs, so that the door either closes automatically when the program starts, that a door opens when a light beam is interrupted and stays open for a fixed period of time before closing, or finally that the door opens automatically when something interrupts the light barrier, and will not close until the barrier has been clear for five seconds.

Build a model of staircase lighting. Program it to be turned on by one of two push button switches being pressed, and to remain on for a fixed period before going out again. Vary the program to also be activated by a light barrier (motion detector), and finally program it so that the lighting will go on if one of the two switches is pushed, and to not go out again until either of the switches is pressed once more.

Finally, build a model of a windshield wiper. Using the two push button switches and the light barrier, program the model with various intervals of operation for the wipers as well as speeds.

Troubleshooting: Overview of some of the most common errors which might occur, and how to address them.

Academic Standards and Benchmarks

Standard 2: Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.

Benchmark M

Standard 3: Students will develop an understanding of the relationships among technologies and the connections between technology and other fields of study.

Benchmark D

Standard 9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design.

Benchmark E

Standard 10: Students will develop an understanding of the role of troubleshooting, research and development, invention and innovation, and experimentation in problem solving.

Benchmarks C, D

Standard 12: Students will develop the abilities to use and maintain technological products and systems.

Benchmarks D, F, H, J, K

Standard 17: Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use information and communication technologies.

Benchmarks G, H