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Platform Chooser

Run the Platform Chooser MicroSim Fullscreen

You can include this MicroSim on your website using the following iframe:

<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/robot-arm/sims/platform-chooser/main.html"
        height="702px" width="100%" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Description

Set a weight for each of five criteria and watch the weighted totals of three robot arms reorder. Then recommend the SO-ARM101, the reBot B601-DM or the reBot B601-RS for six project situations, applying each requirement as a filter before weighing the rest. Used in Chapter 9.

Explore mode scores the three arms from 1 (worst) to 5 (best) on five criteria. The weighted total of an arm is the sum of weight × score, and the bars list the arms from the highest total to the lowest. The scores are the author's judgment, not measurements, and you may disagree with them. The payloads, prices, supply voltages and software lists in the six situations come from Chapter 9 and from Chapters 5 and 6. The situations themselves are illustrative.

Lesson Plan

Grade level: Middle school and up (age 12+). Time: 15 minutes.

  1. Predict first. With every weight at 3, the SO-ARM101 leads with 60. Before you move a slider, say which arm will lead if only payload matters.
  2. Explore. Set the payload weight to 5 and every other weight to 0. Then find a set of weights that puts the reBot B601-DM first.
  3. Six situations. Read the situation and the facts on each arm. Find the requirements, remove any arm that fails one, and recommend an arm. You get one try for each situation, and 5 of 6 is mastery.
  4. Think about it. In situation 3 the project must hold 2.0 kg. Could any set of weights make the SO-ARM101 the right answer?

A requirement is a filter and a preference is a weight. Filter first, then weigh what remains.

Specification

The learning objective, evidence of mastery and content for this MicroSim are specified in Chapter 9: Building the reBot-DevArm and Choosing a Platform.