27404 Parallax Inc, 27404 Datasheet - Page 11

• Manufacturer Part Number: 27404
• Description: COMPETITION RING FOR SUMOBOT
• Manufacturer: Parallax Inc

Specifications of 27404

• Accessory Type: Hobby and Education
• Product: Microcontroller Accessories
• Lead Free Status / RoHS Status: Contains lead / RoHS non-compliant
• For Use With/related Products: SumoBot®
• Lead Free Status / RoHS Status: Lead free / RoHS Compliant, Contains lead / RoHS non-compliant

Chapter 1: Mechanical Adjustments · Page 7
Chapter #1: Mechanical Adjustments
BEFORE YOU GET STARTED
To complete the activities in this book, you will need to build, program and test two
complete SumoBot robots by following the activities in the SumoBot Manual. Also, since
Applied Robotics with the SumoBot is an advanced robotics text that builds upon the
concepts introduced in Robotics with the Boe-Bot, familiarity with that material is
recommended. Robotics with the Boe-Bot is available for download from
www.parallax.com.
You will also need additional electronic components and a SumoBot Robot Competition
Ring poster. The complete robot kits and these other items are all included in the
SumoBot Robot Competition Kit. If you already own two SumoBot robots, the
components and poster can also be purchased separately from www.parallax.com. A few
common household items are also needed for some activities. Please see Appendix A for
the full parts listings.
As you go through the activities in this text, you can type all of the program code directly
into the BASIC Stamp Editor from the listings in this book, or you can download the
listed programs from the SumoBot Robot Competition Kit product page at
www.parallax.com.
SMALL ADJUSTMENTS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
This chapter introduces some of the mechanical adjustments you can make to your
SumoBot robot to improve its performance against other SumoBots. They include plow
adjustments, making sure your servos are running at full speed, and modifications you
can make to improve your SumoBot's grip on the ring.
When it's SumoBot vs. SumoBot, something as simple as a small adjustment to the plow
can make a big difference, as you will see in Activity #1. While motor speed doesn't
make as much of a difference, it is another factor that can impact a SumoBot's likelihood
of winning each round. Activity #2 will demonstrate how taking too much time to read
sensors between delivering control pulses to the servos can slow your SumoBot down.
Friction is that force which prevents your SumoBot from sliding. More friction between
the SumoBot's tire tread and the sumo ring means the SumoBot can push harder against