Product Details
Motorised Crane
The Motorized Crane is made using PASCO Structures and is controlled and powered by the //control.Node. Students can program the controller to run the stepper motor and servo motors using Blockly coding embedded in PASCO Capstone or SPARKvue software.
Description
The crane picks up objects with an electromagnet which is also controlled and powered by the //control.Node. Students can vary the duty cycle to change the power of the electromagnet and explore the minimum power required to pick up different objects. Steel washers are included with stickers to attach to non-ferrous objects, such as paper cups, so the electromagnet can pick them up.
The crane includes three sets of gears to explore the effect of gear ratios (1:1, 2:1, 4:1) on speed and lifting capability.
Features
The controller can execute its code via Bluetooth or USB connection to a computer or autonomously via uploaded code.
The motors and electromagnet on the crane are powered by the rechargeable battery in the //control.Node.
The position and speed of the stepper motor and electromagnet can be displayed in the software while the code is executed.
The cable spool has two diameters to learn about mechanical advantage.
The //code.Node accelerometer is used as a joystick to move the crane so the crane can learn the locations of certain positions.
Students build the crane and can change the design using additional Structures parts.
Any PASCO sensor can be used with the crane to expand its capabilities.
Perform These Experiments
Build the Motorized Crane
Introduction to Stepper and Servo Motors
Position Boom Angle and Electromagnet Height to Reach a Position
Pick Up a Ball and Drop It into a Cup on a Different Level
Effect of Gear Ratios on Travel Distance
Effect of Duty Cycle on the Load the Electromagnet Can Lift
Effect of Spool Diameter
Lower Electromagnet, Pick Up and Drop Object
Further Exploration
Add a Wireless Light Sensor to enable the Crane to sort colored objects.
Add a Wireless Current Sensor to the Electromagnet to see the effect when an object is picked up.
Use the Crane to transfer a cup to the StructureBOT.
Add a Wireless Load Cell to detect when an object is lifted.
What’s Included
1x //control.Node (PS-3232)
1x Low Speed Stepper Motor (PS-2978)
1x Power Output Module (PS-3324)
2x Servo Motor (SE-2975)
1x Gear Set (ME-7021)
1x Turntable (ME-7024)
1x Electromagnet (ME-7027)
4x Structures I-beam #1
10x Structures I-beam #2
21x Structures I-beam #3
10x Structures I-beam #4
26x Structures Connectors
8x Angle Connectors
2x Sliding Connectors
2x Flat Connectors
1x Structures Counterweight (ME-7037)
2x Truss Set Screws (Set of 75) (ME-6994)
1x Short Axle
3x Medium Axle
2x Small Pulley
1x Motor Mount (Set of 2) (ME-7020)
2x Spool and Bearings (ME-7022)
1x //control.Node Platform (ME-7042)
2x 0.625-inch Steel Ball
https://www.pasco.com/products/lab-apparatus/structures/motorized-structures/me-7030
