Project

Copper_pipe

Hi all, Got my brief for my engineering today and its to design and make a crane game that has table tennis balls as its payload. I am unsure of what components I will need but I have an idea in mind.

I hope to control the crane using a joystick. There will be 5 scoring slots that will differ in points value and a sensor in each slot that will automatically add to points to a scoreboard. Could i use a series seven segment display as a scoreboard. Will this be difficult to program?

Thanks

Sparks

Copper_pipe wrote: »

Will this be difficult to program?

Depends on the platform you're using and the language. With something like a basic stamp or an arduino, not really. In assembly on a PIC? Maybe a bit

Copper_pipe

Sparks wrote: »

Depends on the platform you're using and the language. With something like a basic stamp or an arduino, not really. In assembly on a PIC? Maybe a bit

My teacher was suggesting the use of a picaxe?

Sparks

It's sortof a basic stamp clone if I'm reading this right. Should still be a lot easier than doing things in assembly, but there are easier things to use out there if you have a choice.

Copper_pipe

Sparks wrote: »

It's sortof a basic stamp clone if I'm reading this right. Should still be a lot easier than doing things in assembly, but there are easier things to use out there if you have a choice.

I can use any standard basic components (No ready made kits)

Offy

What have you goy so far? I have a book about programming these microcontrollers. It covers circuits and the code needed to run them. Your welcome to it if its any good to you.

Sparks

Copper_pipe wrote: »

I can use any standard basic components (No ready made kits)

Does that include development boards?
ie. can you use something like these:








Or is it really a handfull of chips, some wire, a soldering gun and a prayer?

Copper_pipe

I have nothing yet, Need to design it first on solidworks. I was thinking of using suction to lift the ball ,

I forgot to add that all components must be visible without dismantling, (Gonna use Clear acrylic)

Copper_pipe

Sparks wrote: »

Does that include development boards?
ie. can you use something like these:








Or is it really a handfull of chips, some wire, a soldering gun and a prayer?

Ill ask him that tomorrow, He said the use of printed circuit board was ok.

Offy

Copper_pipe wrote: »

I have nothing yet, Need to design it first on solidworks. I was thinking of using suction to lift the ball ,

I forgot to add that all components must be visible without dismantling, (Gonna use Clear acrylic)

What year are you in and what course are you doing? Solidworks is for mechanical design not electronic design. PCB123 is free and its easy to use. I also have a PICAXE16F development board that you can have if your allowed to use it.

The code for controlling the display is pretty standard and is included in the book. Its also easy to find online. You could use proximity switchs to indicate the ball landed in a hole and advance the score accordingly. You will need motors to control the crane and buttons or a joystick. For suction you will need either a vacuum pump of compressed air with a Venturi tube. All in all its going to take some time and research!

Copper_pipe

Offy wrote: »

What year are you in and what course are you doing? Solidworks is for mechanical design not electronic design. PCB123 is free and its easy to use. I also have a PICAXE16F development board that you can have if your allowed to use it.

The code for controlling the display is pretty standard and is included in the book. Its also easy to find online. You could use proximity switchs to indicate the ball landed in a hole and advance the score accordingly. You will need motors to control the crane and buttons or a joystick. For suction you will need either a vacuum pump of compressed air with a Venturi tube. All in all its going to take some time and research!

This is for Leaving Cert Engineering!

Offy

Copper_pipe wrote: »

This is for Leaving Cert Engineering!

DOH!!!!

Copper_pipe

Offy wrote: »

DOH!!!!

I know, I would have preferred some sort of vehicle.

evantwomey94

we got the briefs today, was banking on a vehicle this is gonna be a tough one but interesting !! wiring a scoreboard is gonna be a balls

L.Jenkins

evantwomey94 wrote: »

we got the briefs today, was banking on a vehicle this is gonna be a tough one but interesting !! wiring a scoreboard is gonna be a balls

Wiring a score board, I pity you! I used to work as an Electrician and know how painful that can be.

Copper_pipe

Itzy wrote: »

Wiring a score board, I pity you! I used to work as an Electrician and know how painful that can be.

A seven segment display would work wouldn't it?

L.Jenkins

Yeah you could use the 7 segment display. You'll need to write some code for it though.

Copper_pipe

Is code difficult? Anywhere online i could practice

L.Jenkins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne4Wv1kUP8w

http://www.hacktronics.com/Tutorials/arduino-and-7-segment-led.html

Here's some places to start. You can develop the software using C.

Copper_pipe

Would this connected to an air compressor create a sufficient vacuum?

Norgren M/58112

padraig100

wiring a score board?? are you not getting a bit complicated?? it just has to be a scoring system? doesnt necessarily have to show or keep track of your score? does it?

padraig100

you only have 9 volts of power aswell?

Copper_pipe

Would a modified abacus suffice :P

padraig100

i'm going to work on the assumption that the examiner using my project has fingers to count on and is educated enough to add them up him/herself! but the abacus idea is good! :P

Copper_pipe

padraig100 wrote: »

i'm going to work on the assumption that the examiner using my project has fingers to count on and is educated enough to add them up him/herself! but the abacus idea is good! :P

I must tell the abacus idea to my teacher and post his response!