SOCCER ‘BOT
CONTENTS:
Section 1: General and Planning information Section 5: Hand Held Control Unit
Section 2: Components and Material required Section 6: Wiring
Section 3: Design Section 7: Testing
Section 4: Constructing the SOCCER ‘BOT
DESCRIPTION
The SOCCER ‘BOT is a simple electro-
mechanical device that responds to a
wired hand held controller, which is used
to steer the device, using two push
button switches to move forwards, left or
right.
SOCCER ‘BOT can be used to play a game
of soccer between two or more
participants.
The front of the SOCCER ‘BOT has a “scoop”
(a crescent shaped cut-out), that enables
a tennis ball to be “captured” and pushed
towards the goal. The scoop is shallow
enough to allow a competitor to knock
the tennis ball out of control, then
capture the ball and try to score.
SECTION 1: GENERAL AND PLANNING INFORMATION
1. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
1.1 GENERAL
The major aspects of this project are the design, construction and assembly of the
device. The design stage is crucial. At this stage the location of all the components is
worked out. It is best to do this by laying all of the components on a sheet of graph
paper. The layout affects the size and shape of the device’s platform, as well as the
ease of assembly.
There are two parts of the SOCCER ‘BOT to design: the SOCCER ‘BOT itself and the hand
held control unit. The isometric drawing shows our prototype, but there are many
other possible body shapes, and a few motor mounting options (more on this later).
SCORPIO TECHNOLOGY VICTORIA PTY. LTD.
A.B.N. 34 056 661 422
17 Inverell Ave., Mt. Waverley, Vic. 3149
Tel: (03) 9802 9913 Fax: (03) 9887 8158
Revised: 12 September 2015 [Link] sales@[Link]
Issued: 17 February 2013 [Link]
sales@[Link] 1
SECTION 2: COMPONENTS & MATERIAL REQUIRED
2.1 COMPONENTS SUPPLIED
The following components are supplied in the kit:
2.2 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The following items are required and are available from Scorpio Technology:
Battery – AA, 1 required (BATTAA)
Drill Bit – 3.5mm (DB3.5)
The following material is to be supplied by the student / designer:
Material for the components (PVC or acrylic sheet, plywood, etc.)
Electric hook-up wire – Multi-strand in assorted colours
Cable ties
2.3 TOOLS REQUIRED
The following tools are required:
Assorted hand tools
Soldering equipment and solder
Scroll and hand saws
Knife - “box cutter”
Hammer
Wire stripper
Hot glue gun
Hairdryer or hot-air gun
NOTE: At various stages of construction, items need to be glued together (and
sometimes removed and relocated!). We have found hot glue guns to give good
results, but extreme care needs to be exercised when using hot glue as it really
burns if it gets on the skin.
HINT: It is useful to have a hair dryer available during construction work. Using the
hair dryer on its hottest setting will allow students to heat up the hot glue to soften
it, and will allow students to reposition or remove incorrectly positioned or faulty
components.
2
SECTION 3: DESIGN
3.1 MATERIAL SELECTION
The first thing to define, is the various materials for the different parts of the device.
For our prototype, 3mm plywood was used for the SOCCER ‘BOT platform and the
control unit’s base. This material was chosen as it is easily cut, shaped, drilled and
glued. Thin plastic sheet (PVC or acrylic etc.) could also be used. 12mm x 18mm
timber was used for the sides of the control unit.
3.2 DESIGNING THE SOCCER ‘BOT
The student must design the platform to accommodate the two motors, motor
mounting blocks and a trailing support (we used a small bolt). The design can take
whatever shape is preferred, but with a scoop at the front. The scoop should be
shallow enough to allow a competitor to knock the tennis ball out of the scoop, and
then capture the ball.
The picture shown is an example of one design.
The device is driven by 2 motors, and the motor mounts must allow the motor shafts
to meet the floor, at not less than a 45 degree angle.
There are 2 alternative ways to mount
the motors and motor mounts:
DESIGN 1:
The motor mounts are mounted
underneath the platform (as shown in
our drawings). Thus the platform’s
height is approximately at the same
height as the tennis ball’s middle.
DESIGN 2:
The motor mounts are mounted above
the platform, and the motors go down
– either through or past the platform.
This puts the platform quite low to the
ground, and the scoop may need a
vertical extension.
If mounting the motors inboard of the platform’s outside edge (i.e. the motors do
not extend past the platform), you will need to make cut-outs for the motors - 2
holes in the base approximatey 16 x 20 mm.
If mounting the motors outside the platforms edge, the motors will extend down
and outwards, thus giving a wider and more stable device.
The device needs a 3rd “leg” to support it. A simple way to achieve this is to drill a
hole as shown at the rear of the base. This hole is for an M3mm bolt, to be locked in
place with 2 nuts (as supplied). Another option is a bent wire “leg”. Regardless of
what is used, make sure that the platform is level.
3.3 DESIGNING THE CONTROL UNIT
The student must design the unit to accommodate the two push-button switches and
battery holder. Items to consider, when designing the hand held control unit:
Ergonomics – it should be comfortable to hold, and easy to use the 2 push-button
switches
The simplest shape is a square or rectangle. However, the control unit may be any
size and shape desired (how about a scaled down version of the SOCCER ‘BOT
itself?).
3
Supports: Our prototype used 12mm x 18mm pieces of wood to provide sides, so
that, when put down, the switches were not touching the table top. However, if
using an unusual shape, a couple of supports on the sides, together with the
battery holder, will protect the switches
SECTION 4: CONSTRUCTING THE SOCCER ‘BOT
4.1 MAKING THE PLATFORM
Cut out the platform’s designed shape (a photocopy of the designed shape can be
used as a template), and – if required - cutouts for the motors.
Drill three 3.5mm holes as shown at the rear of the base. The single hole is for a
3mm bolt, the other two holes are for a cable tie to secure the control cable.
4.2 ASSEMBLING THE SOCCER ‘BOT
Glue the motor mounts in position.
Cut the rubber tubing neatly in half with
a sharp knife. Slide the tubing onto the
motor shafts. The tubing should finish
level with the ends of the shafts and
provides grip, so the shafts do not spin
uselessly on the ground. Cut to length -
make sure the tubing does not rub
against the body of the motor.
Glue the motors onto the motor mounts.
Apply the glue to the motor mount and
then press the flat side of the motor onto
the glue. Repeat for the other motor,
making sure that the platform is level.
Make sure the motors’ terminals are
facing outwards (i.e. are accessible).
Screw a 3mm nut, about 6mm along the
3mm bolt. Put the end of the bolt
through the single hole at the rear of the
base. Use the remaining nut to fix the
bolt to the base, making sure that the
platform is level.
SECTION 5: HAND HELD CONTROL UNIT
The last item to be made is a small hand held Control unit.
Cut out the designed shape.
Drill two 7 mm holes in the material to allow the mounting of the push-button
switches. Drill two 3-3.5mm holes in the centre, towards the top, to allow a cable
tie to clamp the control cable in place.
Cut the side pieces (we used 12 x 18 mm timber). Glue or nail the side pieces in
position along the edges so the control unit’s platform is raised.
This allows the unit to be put down, without damaging the switches.
Glue the battery holder in position under the control unit platform, or inside the
unit (if it is fully enclosed).
Fit the push-button switches.
4
NOTE: The battery compartment’s surface may need to be roughened with
sandpaper to get the glue to stick to it.
SECTION 6: WIRING
6.1 WIRING BETWEEN THE CONTROL UNIT AND SOCCER ‘BOT
The first step is to decide the length of the wires between the Control unit and the
SOCCER ‘BOT. We suggest that about 1 metre long may be suitable – if too long, the
likelihood of the wire tangling increases, while staying close to the SOCCER ‘BOT
provides better control.
Cut three fine flexible wires of different colours, of the desired length.
Place one end of the wires into a vice, or clamp them to a bench. Place the other
end of the wires into the chuck of a drill (a hand powered drill allows good control
of the speed). Operate the drill slowly, and twist the wires until they are tightly
wound. Carefully release the wire from the drill chuck and carefully remove any
kinks that may be present.
6.2 TO THE CONTROL UNIT
Connect the red (positive) wire
of the battery holder to a
terminal of each of the push-
button switches.
You will need to add an extra
wire to go from one switch to
the other.
Connect two of the wires to the
other terminals of the switches.
Connect the remaining cable
wire to the black (negative) of
the battery holder.
Solder all the wires in place.
6.3 TO THE SOCCER ‘BOT
Connect the wires to the
motors as shown. You will
need an extra wire to connect
between the two motors.
Use a small cable tie, or hot
glue, to hold the cable in
place, to both the SOCCER ‘BOT
and the Control unit.
SECTION 7: TESTING
Insert an AA battery into the Control unit. At this point, SOCCER ‘BOT should be
stationary.
Press the right-hand-side push button – the right hand-side motor should spin.
Press the left-hand-side push button – the left hand-side motor should spin.
5
Press both push buttons – both motors should spin, and SOCCER ‘BOT should go
straight / forward.