SSRAC Robot Building Workshop Stage 1 and 2

Hello folks, here's a fast recap of what happened last semester. The post is incomplete as of now, at least until I get the goody pictures from Priscilla and the gang.

As the bulk of the first main activities of this club, the Swinburne Sarawak Robotics and Automation Club had organized 2 sessions of workshops to briefly introduce the foundations of implementing mechatronic and robotic systems. In the span of 2 days, we have explored the building blocks for constructing automated systems to completing basic systems in order to understand how electronics, coupled with motorized actuators and programming skills, create the beginnings of simple robots.

Stage 1 covered the idea and overview of mechatronics and robotics which are not conventionally illustrated in academic lectures. This also had the dual intent of forming a framework of understanding for 1^st year students. Introduction to mechatronic components encompass commonly used sensors and actuators. Finally, the participants learnt what interfacing is necessary between microcontrollers and various sensors, motors and the computer. The first session was completed on the 14^th April 2012 with 21 new members.

Stage 2 builds upon the skills and knowledge introduced in the initial session, extending this experience with a series of challenges that took participants from just merely getting a motor to work, to implementing a speed-controlled actuator, a feature made possible only by adding an encoder and writing a program to model a simple control system architecture. The second, slightly more complicated stage, was conducted on the 28^th April with 12 participants.

Both workshops were aptly conducted by the SSRAC’s 2 main supervisors, Mr. Hudyjaya Siswoyo and Mr. Riady Siswoyo. While it is not entirely possible cover an entire branch of engineering in 2 days, the workshop succeeded in breaking the ice between academic engineering studies and practical implementations of robotic systems. Overall, the events have proven successful at helping engineering students of all fields nip the tip of the iceberg of robotics engineering.

Future workshops will be held to explore other facets of practical skills as well as more advanced lessons revolving around automated systems. Stay tuned!