Subject:
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Re: We may have to come up with somethign bigger...
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto
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Date:
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Sat, 20 Jan 2007 01:00:52 GMT
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Viewed:
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2012 times
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In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, Ben Fleskes wrote:
> In lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto, David Koudys wrote:
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f6zV7UFEH4
> >
> > Been done. Twice now.
> >
> > Though to be said, not nearly as great as the plan we have, but if this guy can
> > assemble 5 'pieces', then we have got to come up with somethign bigger...
> >
> > Dave K
>
> While I'm not part of the rtltoronto clan, from the things I've seen you guys
> do, there is a lot of talent up there.
>
> If you want a suggestion for a 'project', how about the following:
>
> A pick and place system that can pull any variety of bricks out of a bin and
> drop them down a shute. Assuming all the bricks are presorted.
>
> Perhaps there are different configurations for each piece (2x4, 1x2, 1x6 plate,
> etc).
>
> Each piece to be seleted is driven off of a singe NXT.
>
> To validate the correct number of pieces are selected, they are placed on a
> scale that talks back to a main computer that conrols the whole thing. Scales
> are wired to the main computer and the computer talks to the NXTs via bluetooth.
>
> Now imagine there are several hundred of these. Each one services a different
> brick, style, color varient etc. The computer receives an order for a 'set' and
> tells each NXT what parts to pick.
>
> All picked parts go down a shute and into a common box, weighed again for
> accuuracy and sent on it's way.
>
> So you get a prototype of this working, with say 5 nxt systems. Then convince
> the LEGO company to implement for the LEGO factory pick system with 100s of
> similar systems, all working together.
>
> How cool would that be? Having a LEGO set you design using the LEGO Digital
> Designer with parts picked by automation robots made out of LEGO.
>
> And what a great marketing piece for the LEGO company.
>
> The hardest part seems to be queing the parts for the pick action of the robot.
> I think LEGO does this with vibratory feeders, but someone around here probably
> knows a lot more on the topic.
>
> And the other hard part would be integrating the scale, but that is often done
> in industry, and again, someone in the AFOL community should be able to tackle
> that without too much difficulty. You probably need scales accurate to about
> 0.01 grams which aren't too hard to come by.
>
> Anyway, if you are looking for a project, and you are open to ideas, why not
> consider the idea.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Ben Fleskes
That was pretty much the exact idea that I presented to Kjeld when I went on the
Inside Tour. As Calum said though, reliability would be the downfall-as well as
speed. Its too bad bricks are not magnetic, then could use a magnetic crane. I
was talking to a guy at my girls high school who owns a company that dispenses
pills for pharmacies and was asking him how in the world did he get an exact
count and how did he actually picked up the individual pill. What they do is to
suspend them in air like one of those hot air popcorn machines and then uses
small directed jets of air to "blow" each one out. They then have an electric
eye to count them as blown out and once proper number attained the air jet is
turned off. Pretty kewl. Of course cost about 250,000 each. But if you are
Wal-Greens and want 100 at a time you get a discount.
But when you think about it, the idea of a NXT module controlling an open-shut
air valve could have some pretty neat applications and be relatively easy to
implement. And you could also control the force and direction of the air. And
compressed air could be really easy to transport either with small compressor or
a air tank.
Just thinking
Tommy Armstrong
www.brickngraver.com
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