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The quality of the components and the versatility of the system are
outstanding. This system is rugged enough to withstand ultralight industrial use for
demonstrations and several companies are using it for demonstrations in labs.
NOVICE users can use teach-pendant mode to generate text scripts for any
robot they assemble. Scripts are created automatically on screen and may be played back
whole or a step at a time, using the mouse or keyboard. Scripts may be saved to disk and
recalled later.
INTERMEDIATE users can create and then edit scripts and compose macros
within scripts for more complex, nested sequences.
ADVANCED users can combine scripts and macros with their own C code, using
the libraries included with the RCS-6. With the libraries, C programs can load and execute
entire scripts or macros. Interspersed with script activity the C code can also read the
RCS-6's 8 analog inputs (0-5V, 8 bit) and, of course, call any advanced routines of the
user's own creation.
These layered features have given the RCS-6 its broad appeal. This robot construction set
is designed expressly for use by educators, students and hobbyists for DOS PC-connected
interactive exploratory desktop robotics. The set is a reconfigurable, Erector-Set-like,
plug-and-go, no-experience- necessary system that is nevertheless highly sophisticated.
The set is intended for students of ages approximately 12-14 years and up. The set may
also be used by younger students if supervised by an instructor. To date, several
different 10-year-olds who have received RCS-6 sets as gifts have assembled and programmed
an arm from the RCS-6 completely unassisted in home environments. Robots may literally be
assembled and programmed in minutes from the extensive parts selection provided, and then
run from automatically generated scripts, or, for advanced users, from scripts plus your
own C or QuickBasic 4.5 programs.
ELECTRONICS
The Electronics Adapter of the RCS-6 connects through any parallel printer port of your
DOS PC using your existing printer cable, so there is no need to open your computer. It
works with laptops, too, and almost any PC will do, even an old PC-XT as long as it has a
high-density floppy drive to load the software. Color screens are preferred but not
required, and even ancient CGA screens work fine.
The computer-interface is small in size and rests on the robot arm base.
It turns commands from your computer into control signals for the six servos. The
interface also has two on/off outputs that can supply 150 milliamps of drive current for
LED's, relays, solenoids, etc. Also included are 0 to 5 volt analog sensor inputs and an
8-bit A/D converter as well as simple on/off switch-closure inputs. A low-voltage
wall-mounted power supply for the electronics and servos is also included.
HARDWARE AND MECHANICS
Six standard size hobby servos are supplied. This is the type of servo used in
radio-controlled cars and airplanes. The servo torque is approximately 2.9 Kg-cm (40
oz-inches). Servo travel is approximately 160 degrees. Housing dimensions are about 40 mm
x 20 mm x 36 mm and contain a dc motor, control electronics, positional feedback
potentiometer and gear train. If servos are the muscles, then "links" are the
bones. The links, 18 in all, are made from our custom aluminum extrusion which is machined
to fit the servos and then clear-anodized for finish and durability. Nylon and Delrin
plastic parts as well as specially designed servo clamps allow the user to mate servos to
links in a variety of useful ways. Two construction bases are supplied, one with a
built-in pivot post for arm-like constructions, and the other perforated for general
breadboarding using servo clamps. The set comes with a parallel-jaw gripper/wrist
assembly. If your construction needs a gripper, this assembly mates with two servos to
grip and turn. Assembly of robots requires only two tools, a small Phillips screwdriver
and a hex key. Both are supplied.
SOFTWARE
The RCS-6 Software is designed so that users have the best of both worlds. In Teach mode,
you can interactively teach your robot complete sequences of motions without typing: the
move commands are typed in automatically. In Edit mode, you can edit, cut, and paste
sequences, add comments, and execute lines or blocks causing the robot to run whole
sequences or single moves. Accelerations and max speeds are adjustable for each axis,
allowing exploration of important control themes. Robot programs, called
"scripts", can be saved and then recalled later. There is also an additional
layer of software for advanced users, which allows control of the robot through scripts
plus C language.
VIDEO
A total of 40 minutes of video taped instruction is included in the kit. The first section
shows 11 "Projects" which are distinct robot constructions discussed in the
manual. The second section, "Construction Techniques", gives a detailed
demonstration and discussion of the construction and interactive programming of RCS-6
robots, including showing the software in use.
WHAT'S IT GOOD FOR?
Children's toys -- good ones, anyway -- are designed to help develop strong minds, and
many of them actually help kids develop career interests. The same can be said of the
RCS-6, except that the RCS-6 will probably inspire just as many career changes as it will
first-time careers.
That's not to say that the RCS-6 is too complicated for kids under a certain age. There
are plenty of children under the age of five that are more comfortable with computers than
their parents. Besides, running some simple DOS-based software and connecting a printer
cable is all you have to do on a computer to use the RCS-6. The rest of it is similar to
playing with an Erector Set.
But even though the RCS-6 is educational and fun, it is, once again, not just a toy. It
can be a productive and useful tool, and is, in fact used in industry. For example, a
General Electric R&D lab uses an RCS-6 robot to handle test tubes for feeding a gas
chromatograph. The RCS-6 is actually a quick, simple, and relatively inexpensive way to
add robotic capabilities to many light-duty industrial applications!
[1] Storage/Transport Case is a multi-compartment polypropylene toolbox.
The box is shown in the photo above disassembled into parts 1-A, -B and -D. The tag 1-D
has additional assembly notes.
[2] Manual is currently 80+ pages, with dozens of cad drawings and diagrams.
[3] Laminated Quick Reference Card has drawings of assembled joints on one side, and
script/edit/run programming details on the other.
[4] 40-Minute Video
[5] Software on 3.5" and 5.25" diskette.
[6] Power Supply runs the electronics adapter and the servos.
[7] Electronics Interface connects to your PC's parallel printer port (LPT1, 2 or 3) using
the supplied printer cable and runs servos under software control.
[8] Parallel Printer Cable, 6' (1.8 m) with molded plugs.
[9] 6 Servomotors
[10] 6 Servo Extension Cables, 2' long, allow larger constructions and more positioning
freedom.
[11] 6 Sets of Custom Servo-to-Link Mating Parts let the robot builder connect the servo
output shaft to the RCS-6 links by tightening only a single screw.
[12] 11 Servo Clamps secure servos to links and to the Breadboard Base (see #18) in a
variety of configurations.
[13] Cable Wraps and Pads allow easy "dressing" of servo wires along your
robot's body, and Servo anti-slide pads are provided as an aid in unusual projects when
servos need to be held against smooth surfaces.
[14] Links, more than 4' (1.3 m) total length if put end to end. If servos are the
"muscles" of the robots, then the links are the "bones". Included are
4 each of 2-, 3- and 4-hole links, and 3 each of 5- and 6-hole links. The links are made
of 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum produced from our own dies to fit the servos precisely.
The extrusion is then machined to form links, and hard anodized for durability and
appearance.
[15] Diagonal Link is a specialized extra link assembly used with the Pivot Post Base
[17].
[16] Gripper Assembly mates easily with two servos, one to open and close the fingers, and
a second servo which acts as the gripper's "wrist".
[17] Pivot Post Base with pivot post and fasteners is used with the diagonal link for most
arm-like constructions. This Base includes a pre-bolted steel weighting bar for stability,
and remainder of this Base assembles easily with the included tools [22]. This Base, for
example, is used in the Chemist, Golfer, Coffee, and Bubbler projects.
[18] Breadboard Base is used for "generic" constructions. Three clamps, ([12]),
allow quick, flexible attachment of servos to this base. This base, for example, is used
in the Fingers, Thrower, Dancer, and 3legs projects.
[19] Caster parts for walker projects such as 3legs. The parts are on top of the
Breadboard Base in the picture for visibility.
[20] Rubber Bands for constructions such as Fingers. The bands stretch onto links to
provide gripping surfaces.
[21] Toys for the robot, including a few wooden balls and plastic tees for pick-and-place
demonstrations. The table tennis ball is used for throwing or hitting by models, and the
spoon is used in Thrower and also just as a spoon in Mr. Coffee.
[22] Tools that are needed come with the set: A hex key and a small Phillips screwdriver.
Other fasteners such as plastic wing nuts may be finger-tightened.
[23] Safety Goggles, which fit over glasses.
[24] Safety Tape, brightly colored, for marking the "do not enter" area around
robot projects.
[25] Shipping Box.
The price of this fun robot kit and super learning tool is very reasonable
when you consider its versatility, quality, and ease of use. No science class or technical
college should be without one, and it would be difficult to find a better value for the
robotics hobbyist. Students at all levels would probably find the RCS-6 to be the best
class activity of the year. And for those parents who are searching for a mind-expanding
learning activity, the RCS-6 is a much better investment that a video game system!
This item has been discontinued. Please visit the
Robot Kits page.
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