pitsco tetrix prime User manual

By Ray Grissom
Setup Guide
66796

Written by Ray Grissom.
Content advising by Paul Uttley.
Graphics by Todd McGeorge.
©2014 Pitsco, Inc., 915 E. Jefferson, Pittsburg, KS 66762
All rights reserved. This product and related documentation are protected by copyright and are
distributed under licenses restricting their use, copying, and distribution. No part of this product
or related documentation may be reproduced in any form by any means without prior written
authorization of Pitsco, Inc.
All other product names mentioned herein might be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note about photocopying: By honoring our copyright, you enable us to invest in research for
education.
Contents
Preface ...................................................................................................................................................................................2
Grade Level Appropriateness.......................................................................................................................................2
Using This Guide................................................................................................................................................................3
Safety Information............................................................................................................................................................4
Parts Identification........................................................................................................................................................5-8
Teacher Parts Setup..........................................................................................................................................................9
Remote Control Setup ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Continuous Run Servo Assembly ......................................................................................................................11-12
Standard Servo Assembly.....................................................................................................................................13-15
Gripper Assembly.....................................................................................................................................................16-19
Construction Tips ....................................................................................................................................................20-26
1

Preface
This setup guide has been developed to provide students with positive experiences in robotics
engineering. With the assistance of this guide, students will learn to use the TETRIX® PRIME parts to
design and construct three different robots. After using this guide, students should be able to use the
TETRIX PRIME parts to construct a robot of their own designs.
Grade Level Appropriateness
TETRIX PRIME materials are targeted toward middle school students. With some additional instruction,
upper elementary students should be able to successfully use the materials. Additionally, secondary
teachers could use these parts to provide an exploratory experience in engineering.
2

Using This Guide
The instructions in this guide will enable you to properly create subassemblies of parts needed for
students to successfully construct the three basic robots described in the TETRIX® PRIME Builder’s Guide
in a timely manner. The assemblies are simple to construct but might consume too much time and
attention to detail for some students to complete. All of the assembly should be completed in less than
one hour.
When completing the activities contained within the TETRIX® PRIME Builder’s Guide, students should be
grouped in teams of two or three. Students working alone might need assistance when assembling
parts and might encounter problems they find difficult to resolve by themselves. The interaction
between students is a learning process in and of itself and should be encouraged. Observation of the
interactions between students can assist teachers in assessing student progress.
3

Safety Information
Mechanical
• Keep fingers, hair, and loose articles of clothing clear of gears and moving parts.
• Never pick up the robot while it is moving or the servo motors are running.
• Remove any burrs caused by cutting the metal beams.
Electrical
• Make sure the power is turned off when the robot is not in operation.
• Do not operate the robot in a wet environment.
• Always power down the robot before making any changes.
• Use caution when working with bare wires to avoid creating a short circuit situation.
• Route wires carefully, and secure them if necessary to avoid damage to the wire or its insulation.
• Mount the battery pack and remote receiver securely.
4

Parts Identification
The beams are named by the number of small holes on one side of the beam. Do not select beams by
counting the larger holes.
Beams
2X – 15-Hole Beam 40207
2X – 13-Hole Beam 40206
4X – 8-Hole Beam 40205
4X – 7-Hole Beam 40204
4X – 6-Hole Beam 40203
4X – 5-Hole Beam 40202
4X – 4-Hole Beam 40201
To identify TETRIX PRIME beams, count the small holes.
The example above is a 4-Hole Beam.
1234
5

4X – 3-Way Beam Connector 40212
4X – 90-Degree Beam Connector 40211
4X – Tee Beam Connector 40213
4X – Beam End Connector 40214
4X – Beam Extension 40322
4X – Straight Beam Connector 40215
Internal Connectors
6

10X – 90-Degree Bracket 40208
10X – 60-Degree Bracket 40209
10X – Tee Bracket 40210
24X – Quick Rivet Peg 40220
24X – Quick Rivet Connector 40219
25X – Thumbscrew 40323
24X – Wing Nut 40221
10X – 90-Degree Block Connector 40217
10X – Straight Block Connector 40216
4X – Beam Attachment Hub 40228
Brackets and Fasteners
7

12X – Bronze Bushing 40227
Motion Parts
4X – 90 mm Wheel & Tire 40222
4X – 80-Tooth Gear 40224
4X – 40-Tooth Gear 40223
4X – Servo Shaft Hub 40230
2X – Battery Holder 40236
6X – 80 mm Axle 40225
6X – 40 mm Axle 40226
8X – Shaft Collar 40229
25X – Setscrew
8

Teacher Parts Setup
Left Gripper Gear Arm
Right Gripper Gear Arm
12X – Pivot Washer
11X – Self-Tapping Screw
Self-Tapping Screw
Servo Hub Adapter
Gripper Pincer
Gripper Plate
4X – Gripper Pivot Arm Servo Mount
9

1X – Controller
1X – Receiver
Remote Control Setup
Your TETRIX PRIME robot is controlled by a standard 2.4 GHz remote controller and an accompanying
receiver mounted to the robot. Transmitters are connected to specific receivers, allowing multiple
transceiver combinations to be used in the same area.
Transmitter and Receiver Connection Procedure:
The wireless game pad transmitter must be linked to the receiver with a unique ID code in order to
function properly. To do this, follow these steps.
1. Make sure the transmitter is switched OFF.
2. Install four AA batteries in the transmitter. Connect the battery pack to the receiver; the red
LED will start flashing.
3. Press the CONNECT button on the side of the receiver. The red LED will change to a rapid
flashing rate.
4. Switch the power slide switch on the transmitter ON.
5. Press and hold down the transmitter CONNECT push button.
6. The red LED on the receiver will stop flashing. Release the transmitter CONNECT button.
7. The transmitter and receiver are now connected and ready for operation.
The transmitter might require periodic adjustment. Located next to each joystick are trimmer wheels
used to adjust the neutral position of each channel. Trim each channel by moving the wheel until no
movement of the servo occurs when the joystick is in the neutral position.
The direction of movement for servos might change due to servo positioning. To change the direction
of movement, use a small screwdriver to change the position of the NOR/REV switches on the
transmitter. Caution: Do not use a pencil to adjust the NOR/REV switch position. The material used for
pencil lead conducts electricity and could damage your controller.
10

Continuous Run Servo Assembly
In order to facilitate ease of construction, the servo motors require preassembly. Locate the continuous
run servo kit, which can be identified using the label attached to the servo. You will need the
continuous run servo with screw, the servo mount with screws, a servo shaft hub, and a setscrew.
You will also need Phillips-head and socket-head screwdrivers. Assemble the continuous run servo as
indicated in the illustrations.
Quantity Part
1Continuous Run Servo
1Servo Mount
1Setscrew
1Servo Shaft Hub
Servo Mount
Continuous Run Servo
Self-Tapping Screw
Servo Shaft Hub
Setscrew
Servo Horn Screw
11

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
12

Standard Servo Assembly
Locate the standard servo kit, which can be identified using the label attached to the servo. You will
need the standard servo with screw, the servo mount with screws, a servo shaft hub, and a setscrew.
You will also need Phillips-head and socket-head screwdrivers. Assemble the standard servo as
indicated in the illustrations.
Standard servo motors are used for proportional rotation and for grippers, steering, and positioning.
Servo Mount
Standard Servo
Self-Tapping Screw
Servo Shaft Hub
Servo Horn Screw
Quantity Part
1Standard Servo
1Servo Mount
1Setscrew
1Servo Shaft Hub
Setscrew
13

Step 1 Step 2
Step 3 Before attaching the servo hub, you must make
sure the server is in the neutral position. To do
this, connect both the servo and the battery
to the receiver and turn on the power to the
remote transmitter. Make sure both joysticks and
trimmers are in the center, or neutral, position.
The servo motor will move to its neutral position.
Line up the splines on the hub with the splines
on the servo and press the two parts together.
The setscrew should line up as close as possible
with the center of the servo case. Tighten the
screw holding the hub in place.
14

Step 4 Step 5
Step 6
Using the remote transmitter, verify the operation
of the servo. If the servo operates properly,
disconnect the battery from the receiver and the
servo. Your servos are ready for use.
15

Gripper Assembly
Locate the gripper assembly parts bag. The gripper assembly must be assembled and properly
adjusted to function. This part should not be disassembled by students in the normal operation in this
activity.
Use the four longer screws to attach the servo to the gripper plate. Use only the shorter, self-tapping
screws included in the gripper assembly package. Substituting longer screws will damage your TETRIX
PRIME gripper. Do not overtighten the screws as damage might result.
Locate and attach a standard servo to the gripper plate. Use the four longer screws provided.
Step 1 Step 2
Step 3 Step 4
Attach the gripper gear arms next, beginning
with the servo side. Before attaching the gripper
gear arms, the servo motor must be in the
neutral position. To do this, the servo will need
to be plugged into a battery and the receiver.
The transmitter should be powered on and
the joysticks and trimmer wheels placed in the
center, or neutral, position. Align the right gripper
gear arm to be perpendicular to the front edge of
the gripper plate. Align the splines on the servo
and the gear, and press the gear onto the servo.
Use a washer and the servo horn screw, included
with the servo, to attach the gear.
Servo Horn Screw
16

Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 9
Step 8
Step 10
Note that each of the pivot arms are identical
and can be used in any location by placing the
small hole in the pivot arm closest to the pincer
location.
Align the left and right gripper gear arms to be
parallel, align the gears to mesh, and place the
gear onto the pivot. Install the washer and screw
to hold the left gear in place. Before continuing
the assembly process, remove the power from
the servo.
17

Step 12
Step 14
Step 16
Step 11
Step 13
Step 15
18