Before we can begin any construction on the VEX robot, we must first conduct a rationale report in order to find the best apparatus for each challenge. For each challenge, we came up with three alternate solutions that could be used to complete each task. The next part of this process is to decide which solution would be the best to complete each task. To decide this, we came up with four sets of criteria that each apparatus has to meet in order to be considered a viable solution. These criteria are access of materials, accuracy, ease of production, and efficiency.
The access of materials considers how readily available to us. Accuracy determines how well each apparatus will be able to hit its target. The ease of production is a measure of how difficult it will be to construct each apparatus. The efficiency tells how well each apparatus will be able to complete each task with the given power supplies.
Challenge 1: Placing a Ball Through a Hoop | Solution 1:Claw | Solution 2:Catapult | Solution 3:Pinball Mechanism |
Criteria | |||
Access of Materials | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Accuracy | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Ease of Production | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Efficiency | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Total | 18 | 13 | 10 |
Challenge 2:Towing a Friendly Vessel | Solution 1:Claw | Solution 2:Mechanical Arm | Solution 3:Magnets |
Criteria | |||
Access of Materials | 5 | 5 | 2 |
Accuracy | 4 | 5 | 5 |
Ease of Production | 4 | 5 | 2 |
Efficiency | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Total | 17 | 19 | 14 |
Challenge 3: Sinking Enemy Vessel | Solution 1: Claw | Solution 2:Mechanical Arm | Solution 3:Bucket |
Criteria | |||
Access of Materials | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Accuracy | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Ease of Production | 4 | 4 | 2 |
Efficiency | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Total | 14 | 17 | 12 |
Challenge 4: Planting a Buoy | Solution 1:Claw | Solution 2:Mechanical Arm | Solution 3: Slide |
Criteria | |||
Access of Materials | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Accuracy | 4 | 3 | 5 |
Ease of Production | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Efficiency | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Total | 18 | 15 | 17 |
Challenge 5:Cutting the Finish Line | Solution 1: Scissors | Solution 2: Blade | |
Criteria | |||
Access of Materials | 5 | 4 | |
Accuracy | 4 | 5 | |
Ease of Production | 5 | 4 | |
Efficiency | 4 | 4 | |
Total | 18 | 17 |
Each of the alternate solutions was given a score from 1 to 5. One is the lowest score and five is the highest score. Each of the scores was added together, and the solution with the highest score will be the final solution. The claw will be used to put the pall through the hoop and plant the buoy. The mechanical arm will be used to sink the enemy vessel and tug the friendly vessel. The scissors will be used to cut the twine.
