ScanBot Construction

For the ScanBot, two additional parts are required: 1 rotation sensor, and 1 extra motor.

To begin the ScanBot construction process, the TankBot must be built. The ScanBot uses the extra motor to turn the light sensor back and forth. The light sensor detects light at any threshold value you set. The rotation sensor is attached to the motor to let the RCX know where the light is coming from. The first step in converting the Tankbot into a ScanBot is to construct a platform for the extra motor, the rotation sensor and the light sensor. Two 1 x 10 beams are attached by a 1 x 6 plate. Note that 4 pegs are used for attaching the 1 x 4 beams and the 1 x 6 beam. The #6 axle is not attached anywhere just yet.

The 2 x 6 plate slips over the axle which is locked into place with a half brushing and an 8 tooth gear. The motor is attached at this stage with a friction pulley on the end.

In the next step, a half brushing is attached to the end of a #8 axle which passes through the rotation sensor. Lock it in place with two half brushings, then add the worm gear. Place the rotation sensor assembly on the frame connecting the two friction pulleys with the small white rubber belt. The belt allows for slipping when the motor extends past the mechanical range of the platform construction (i.e. the motor won’t break the robot).

The next step is to construct the light sensor “head” of the ScanBot. A 1 x 2 beam is place in front of the sensor and is attached below by a 1 x 3 plate and above by a 1 x 2 plate and two 1 x 3 plates. The sensor construction is then placed upside-down on the axle.

*Pictures are from David Baum’s “Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms”

Note: This version has a bumper with a touch sensor attached to the front