- When the theme arrives, it is important to go through the documents and videos a number of times. After which the entire task should be divided into a required number of subtasks based on the various mechanisms that would be required.
Egs: Picking an object, throwing. etc.
- Based upon the tasks it is important to first write down your own preliminary ideas without discussing it with others, so that it doesn't get filtered at the start itself. And while writing it one should give a good thought about the pros and cons of the idea which can be discussed later. After that, you should extensively research the mechanisms that can be used. This can be done by watching previous years videos of robocon or any other similar robotics competition. Research papers should also be referred.
- When ideas are discussed, the team should carefully listen to it and offer constructive criticisms if any. Before rejecting or accepting any idea, all the team members should carefully examine it, because most of the times it happens such that the ideas which were rejected at the start itself, they end up being used by others teams in a much simplistic and accurate manner.
- Such ideas should be shortlisted which seem to have less risks, are simplistic by design and can offer flexibility in case of changes being done to it later. Ideas which have been already implemented in previous competitions and are well documented should be given priority.
Most of the times it happens such that multiple mechanisms are good, in such a case they should be thoroughly researched and prototyped if required.
- Instead of making physical prototypes mechanisms can be simulated, but for that the individual should have a thorough knowledge of the physics which is behind the mechanisms and should know how to use them in a simulated environment. Without this knowledge simulations done would be just useless.
- Physical prototyping takes time as it is a constant trial and error method, in which the design needs to be continuously improved until it is found to be implementable. Understanding the physics behind the mechanisms would greatly improve the design and would consume a lesser amount of time to complete the prototypes. Simultaneously prototyping various mechanisms is better as at the end at least one of the proposed mechanisms can be implemented on the final robot.
- While developing the mechanisms it is important to have knowledge of the sensors, microcontrollers, actuators etc that would be used for control. The team should also be in a position to judge the coding complexity beforehand. And every member should be well informed about the developments in the design so that valuable inputs can be provided at the development stage itself.
- In the prototyping stage, the design is improved again and again to meet the requirements of the task. In this stage most of the time goes into thinking of a way to solve the errors which come. And it happens such that we get lost in the design process and the prototypes become increasingly complicated as we go on solving the errors. At such a stage, the team should make a decision whether to continue with the prototype with its complications or have an entirely new approach to its design.
The mechanisms used in the prototypes should be as simple as possible so it would be better if a new approach is taken in its design at such a stage.
- After the mechanisms have been finalised and are ready to be included in the final bot, the next step is to refine the design and to make it durable. Minor errors in design shouldn’t be neglected and should be brought to the notice of other team members.
- At the last stage all mechanisms are to be assembled and integrated onto a base. For this stage CAD should be used. Base plays an important role to support the mechanisms as well as in deciding whether a 3 wheel or 4 wheel drive should be used. It should be designed carefully considering all the factors like overall dimensions, type of drive, strength, material, etc. This stage should be given sufficient time as the entire CAD assembly is to be completed. Fabrication work can be started simultaneously to save time.
- Testing is a very important part. Testing the bot frequently would help in identification of problems and offers a scope to make the design much more efficient and accurate as well.
Atleast 2 month time should be given for proper testing of the robots.