STONY POINT HS -- ROUND ROCK ISD

Design Problem Marble Sorter

Project 3.3.1 VEX and RobotC

Cullen Prater
4/22/2014





TABLE OF CONTENTS
Design Brief ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Brainstorming Ideas ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Decision Matrix ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Pictures ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
RobotC Code ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Discussion Questions ........................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Reflections ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Recommendation Page ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13


DESIGN BRIEF
Client Company:
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Target Consumer:
Society
Problem Statement:
The National Recreation Park Association (NRPA) has asked
your team to develop a solution to a growing problem in
their parks. The association has placed dumpsters for
recyclable material throughout the parks. They have a
sorting facility; however, they need the device that will sort
the recyclable material.




Design Statement:
Design, model, and test a device that will separate recyclable
materials.





Constraints:
Separation process must be fully automated.
Must successfully separate commingled recyclable materials
into individual holding bins.
Recyclable materials include 3 different in. material
spheres totalling 15. Examples could include steel,
aluminum, wood, opaque plastic, and clear plastic.
Must be efficient 2 minute max for completion of sorting
process.






BRAINSTORMING IDEAS

DECISION MATRIX


PICTURES


ROBOTC CODE

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
[Answer the conclusion questions here. Use complete sentences with proper grammar and spelling.]

1. What was the most challenging aspect of this design problem?
The most challenging part was getting the marbles sorted out and getting to do it consisted. We would get
them sorted then the next run they would get all mixed up. Another challenge we had was getting one
marble out.
2. What are some creative changes that you would make to the design solution if you
could start over?

If I could start over I would change how the last two where sorted. By maybe using a
light sensor and making it dark around the light sensor so other light will not interfere
with the values. Use something different to let the marbles out at one at time.
Something thats harder so that the marbles dont get suck and two or three come out.






















REFLECTIONS

I think me and my partner somewhat got are objectives accomplish. I think we would change how the last
two where sorted. I think we would change that because how we had it was not working out. It would sort
them all out one time then the next it would be all mixed up. We would change it to where we had a light
sensor, and make sure it was dark around it so it would not mess with the values. Then have two cup on a
track that moved back and forth. I think we some kind of fulfilled the problem statement because we were
able to sort three different marbles, but every now and then one or two marbles would go in the wrong
place. I learned that there are many ways to solve a problem. You just I have to think of one that work and
gets the job done. The challenges of working in a design team is what design you should go for or should
you mix and match to make one really good design. The purpose of the design problem is to get what you
have in your head on paper so you can get a better look at your design. When you start to put it on paper
youll see that you have same problems in your design and will have to fix them.




















RECOMMENDATION PAGE

I would recommend that the teacher give the student a lot of time to work one this project because it is a
hard project. Youll get one thing to work then a problem shows up, and sometimes it will work perfectly
fine then the next run all the marbles will be mixed up. Theyll have to think why it worked one time then
not work which takes a lot of thinking and testing.
I recommend that is a student uses a light sensor that its dark around it so that the values dont change
each time. Another would be to make sure their designs are really good because that will really help them
in the end.