The Rascal Robot Construction Set is designed expressly for use by Educators and Students for Windows PC-connected interactive exploratory desktop robotics. The set is a reconfigurable, Erector-Set-like, plug-and-go, no-experience- necessary system that is nevertheless highly sophisticated.
The Set is intended for students of ages approximately 12-14 years and up, if unsupervised. Because there are many parts in the set, it is important that interested and conscientious students be selected for any unsupervised setting. The set may also be used by younger students if supervised by an instructor. To date, several different 10-year-olds who have received Rascal sets as gifts have assembled and programmed an arm from the Rascal completely unassisted in home environments.
Robots may literally be assembled and programmed in minutes from the extensive parts selection provided, and then run from automatically generated scripts, or, for advanced users, from scripts plus your own Borland C++, Visual C++, or Visual Basic programs.
The system runs 6 hobby-class servos, included, with accelerated and coordinated point-to-point motion. It also includes 8 channels of 8 bit analog input plus 7 switch closure inputs.
ELECTRONICS
The Electronics Adapter of the Rascal connects through anyparallel printer port of your Windows PC using your existing printer cable, so there is no need to open your computer.The Adapter controls the six servos which come with the set, and also has
low-current outputs for other devices, such as LED's, as well. For advanced users, there is also an 8-channel Analog-to-digital converter as well as 7 switch inputs. Use of these inputs requires Borland C++, Visual C++, or Visual Basic.
A low-voltage wall-mounted power supply for the electronics and servos is included.
SERVOS
Six standard size hobby servos, Hitec HS422 or similar, are supplied. These are the type of servos used in radio-controlled cars and airplanes.
The servo torque is approximately 2.9 Kg-cm (40 oz-inches). Servo travel is approximately 160 degrees. Housing dimensions are about 40 mm x 20 mm x 36 mm and contain a dc motor, control electronics, positional feedback potentiometer and gear train.
CONSTRUCTION PIECES
If servos are the muscles, then "links" are the bones. The links, 18 in all, are made from our custom aluminum extrusion which is post-machined to fit the servos and then clear-anodized for finish and durability. Nylon and Delrin plastic parts as well as specially designed servo clamps allow the user to mate servos to links in a variety of useful ways.
Two construction bases are supplied, one with a built-in pivot post for arm-like constructions, and the other perforated for general bread boarding using servo clamps. Both bases are shown in use in the sets video.
Also provided are 3 glides for walking models, 1 mounting clamp for a larger 1/4-scale servo for increased lift (the servo is a $65 option), 4 24-inch servo extensions, wide rubber bands that fit links to make gripping surfaces for finger experiments, plus foam rubber and spiral plastic cable-routing aids.
PARALLEL-JAW GRIPPER/WRIST ASSEMBLY
If your construction needs a gripper, this assembly mates with two servos to grip and turn.
TOOLS
Assembly of models requires only two tools, a small phillips screw driver and a hex key. Both are supplied.
VIDEO
A total of 40 mintues. First section shows 11 "Projects" which are distinct robot constructions discussed in the manual. Second section, "Construction Techniques", gives a detailed demonstration and discussion of the construction and interactive programming of Rascal robots, including showing the software in use.
MISCELLANEOUS
Storage/transport case; safety goggles; and starter items for your robots to manipulate, including table-tennis ball, tees, spoon and wooden balls.
The Rascal Software is designed so that users have the best of both worlds. They can teach the robot without typing, but can also directly edit robot scripts for more advanced motions.
In *Teach* mode, users can interactively teach their robots complete sequences of motions without typing: the move commands are typed in automatically.
In Edit mode, users can edit, cut, and paste sequences, add comments, and execute lines or blocks causing the robot to run whole sequences or single moves.
Accelerations and max speeds are adjustable for each axis, allowing exploration of important control themes.
Robot programs, called "scripts", can be saved and then recalled at the next class period.
There is also an additional layer of software for highly advanced users which allows control of the robot through scriptswith C++ or Visual Basic.
