Lego RCX Plotter

Made for the lego building instruction site by Laurens200
http://ricquin.net/lego/instructions/
Building instructions are found here:
http://ricquin.net/lego/instructions/plotter.htm
Update: Instructions updated

Update: I have added some annotations, they are changing a bit too fast right now and I still haven't added the end, but I will try to get it done soon.

It is made with a single RIS 2.0 kit and another motor.

When you start it, a timed test run will happen. This will be used to messure all distances later in the program. This is my attemt to elliminate differences when the batteries are less charged.

The pen are resting in the holder and not directly connected with the motor. This is to prevent it applying too much weight to the paper. When it is lowered, the lever holding it up goes down so it jams on some bricks and the pen is resting on the paper.

To create a even surface to write on, the paper is curved and suporting itself.

One touch sensor is used to report when the pen have reached it outermost points. A lightsensor can be attached beneth the pen and be used to scan an image, but haven't been tested.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Lego
• Plotter
• RCX
• mindstorms
• printer
• building
• instructions
• drawing
• writer

[ubuntupokemoninc]

does the rcx come with a remote?

[Spillerrec]

No, but you could buy one if you wanted it. It is pretty useful for testing.

You can also remotely control the RCX with applications like BricxCC from your computer.

(Such thing wasn't used in the video though)

[inkybait]

@Spillerrec which one you think is better: nxt or rcx? iv only used the rcx. it looks like the rcx is easyer to use but what do i know.

[Spillerrec]

@inkybait

The NXT have better possibilities for programming (a lot better) and the motors are much more precise. However the sensors are really big, the motors are oddly shaped which makes it more difficult to build something advanced with it. You can use the old sensors and motors with converter cables if you want though.

I think the NXT is geared too much to young people who wants to build something fast at the cost of the power users. On the other hand, the RCX is terrible to program...

[inkybait]

@Spillerrec thank you so much for the response it was very helpfull!!! does the nxt come with tank treads? and does it have the parts like diffrental gear and slpper gear kind of stuff like the rcx?

[Spillerrec]

@inkybait

The NXT 2.0 kit comes with rubber tank threads which are a bit similar to the ones in R.I.S. 2.0. However I would recommend getting the plastic ones from another set though.

However there aren't many gears in the NXT kit, especially in the 2.0 version and none of the special ones that you mentioned. You can use the parts from your RCX set though.

If you want to know more about the parts included, check peeron.com, it have parts inventories for almost any Lego set, both old and new.

[inkybait]

@Spillerrec also were could i get the rubber belts for smooth gears?

[inkybait]

@Spillerrec are there places were you cand buy gears and stuff?

[Spillerrec]

No, they stopped making those when the NXT came out.

[legoman6986]

do they still make lego rcx?