STONY POINT HS -- ROUND ROCK ISD

Design Problem Marble Sorter

Project 3.3.1 VEX and RobotC
[Gerardo Calderon]
4/23/2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Design Brief ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2
Brainstorming Ideas ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Decision Matrix......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Pictures ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
RobotC Code .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Discussion Questions ............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Reflections .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Recommendation Page.......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

DESIGN BRIEF
Client Company:
Target Consumer:
Problem Statement:

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

Society

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:
1. Separation process must be fully
automated.
2. Must successfully separate
commingled recyclable materials into
individual holding bins.
3. 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 aspect of this design was making the program code. That was because when we got
one thing to work something else would stop working. A major problem that me and my team ran into was
getting the light sensor to work properly. The light sensor would catch light that was reflected from the
structure and the sensor readings would change every single test run.

2. What are some creative changes that you would make to the design solution if you
could start over?
If I could start over and make some changes to my design, I would fix the metal bars next
to the light sensor so that they wont reflex light. If I would have done this our project would
have worked more efficiently.

REFLECTIONS
With this project I would say I was overall satisfied, but there is
always room for more corrections. My team would use the light
sensor more efficiently and cover up any metal beside it, so that it
wont reflect onto the sensor. The results of my project almost
fulfill the project statement only because 4 marbles didnt make it
into the right container. During this project I learned that you
and your team have to stick together even when things arent
coming as planned, the team all have to be on the same page and
be working together. I was lucky to have a team that worked
together and always agreed on the same idea. That is a major
problem when building a project is that your whole team is on
board with the same idea. When the team has different ideas
everyone doesnt work at a 100 percent. Overall me and my
teammate worked efficiently together from sketching it out to
building it

RECOMMENDATION PAGE
I would recommend that the teacher gives the students more time to do the project. It is very frustrating
knowing that your design will not be finished and not show what you can really do.
I would recommend the students making this project next year to have a really good sketch and idea of
what they are going to do. With out that you are going to be screwed.