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Design, Build, Test, Compete: A Battlebot

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Conference

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Austin, Texas

Publication Date

June 14, 2009

Start Date

June 14, 2009

End Date

June 17, 2009

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary and Project-based Experiences in Manufacturing

Tagged Division

Manufacturing

Page Count

12

Page Numbers

14.424.1 - 14.424.12

DOI

10.18260/1-2--4849

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/4849

Download Count

6110

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Paper Authors

biography

Janet Dong University of Cincinnati

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Janet Dong,Ph.D is an assistant professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering Technology at University of Cincinnati. She holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and a MS degree in Manufacturing Engineering. She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University in 2003. Her academic interests include CAD/CAM, manufacturing engineering technology, process planning, control and automation, robotics, engineering education and research, and manufacturing applications in the dental field.

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biography

Janak Dave University of Cincinnati

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Janak Dave PhD, PE is a Professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering Technology at the University of Cincinnati. He obtained his MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla. He has presented papers at ASEE Annual Conferences, ASME International Congress, and several International conferences and conducted CAD/CAM/CAE workshops nationally and internationally. He has held various positions in EDG and DEED divisions of ASEE, and local and national committees of ASME.

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Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Design–Build–Test-Compete A BattleBot

ABSTRACT

Students working toward a baccalaureate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology at the College of Applied Science, University of Cincinnati are required to complete a “Design, Build, and Test” senior capstone design project. In 2007/08, one of these capstone design projects was to design and build a robot to participate in the BotsIQ National Competition. This robot was built to meet the BotsIQ 120lb weight class specifications.

A BattleBot is a robot which possesses fighting capabilities and competes against other BattleBots with the intent to disable them. The weapon is the main component of these robots. BattleBots compete one on one and the winner is determined by the amount of damage inflicted to the other using the weapon.

In the 2007-2008 academic year, a team of four Mechanical Engineering Technology students at the University of Cincinnati built a Battlebot as their senior capstone design project. As with all capstone projects, the expertise and knowledge acquired from their coursework and co-op was utilized. This project gave them an opportunity to showcase their abilities as well as develop additional skills needed to be successful in a team oriented business world. This team also enjoyed the personal satisfaction of working on a technically complex project from concept-to- design, build, test, and compete against other university participants in the competition.

This paper will give the short description of the senior capstone design course sequence in the Mechanical Engineering Technology department, University of Cincinnati and the list of pre- requisites for this capstone design sequence. It also describes the 2007-2008 Battlebot project, the student team experiences from start to finish, and the results from the national competition.

INTRODUCTION

Completing a senior design project is a graduation requirement for all students in the Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) department at the College of Applied Science (CAS), University of Cincinnati (UC). This is a four-course sequence that must result in a working product/process. These courses are designed to facilitate a student’s abilities to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills that have been acquired prior to their senior year. This sequence also enhances their abilities to solve open-ended problems and to prepare them for the transition from an academic environment to industry.

Most projects consist of designing, building, and testing a prototype of a product or process. At the completion of this capstone project, students will have acquired the following necessary skills, which will apply to their professional careers:

1. Synthesizing knowledge from earlier courses. 2. Starting from concept to a working prototype. 3. Project management.

1

Dong, J., & Dave, J. (2009, June), Design, Build, Test, Compete: A Battlebot Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--4849

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