Simulators for Rockets & Robots

Tutorial & Lab

Dion PaulHS Teacher Summer Program

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Agenda TimeTutorial 9:00am - 9:30am

Overview of SimulatorsMy Experience A Simulator for Rockets - RockSim A Simulator for Robots – RoboLogix

Lab Activity I 9:30am - 10:45amRockSim

Break 10:45am - 11:10amLab Activity II: 11:10am –

12:10pm RoboLogix

Questions/Discussion

Simulators for Rockets & Robots - OverviewWhat is simulation? The use of a model to imitate the

operation of a real-world process or

system over time

Model: key characteristics

Operation: behavior

Computer simulation:

Attempts to model a real-life or

hypothetical situation on a computer

in order to gain a better

understanding of its operation

Variables in the model can be

modified, and predictions can be

made about the system’s behavior

Computer simulation is useful in

modeling:

Natural systems in physics,

chemistry, biology,

Human systems in economics and

social science (computational

sociology)

Electronic and other engineering

systems, for example network traffic.

Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview

Applications of Simulation Performance optimization

Engineering: safety testing

Video games

Scientific modeling of natural systems

or human systems to gain operational

insight.

Used to display the eventual real

effects of alternative conditions and

courses of action.

Simulation is also used when the real

system cannot be engaged, due to:

Inaccessible or dangerous

It is being designed but not yet

built, or it may simply not exist.

Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview

Screenshot – Flight Simulator

Microsoft® Flight Simulator X Allows user to be immersed in a beautifully rich and realistic world

with dozens of aircraft and interactive missions.

Missions allows users to fly anywhere in the world, all from their

personal computer or similar deviceUsers of all ages and skill levels feel

firsthand what it’s like to be an

aviator traveling the globe solo or

online with others

Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview

Screenshot – The Sims

The Sims Award-winning series that created the Life Simulation

genre. Users are allowed to do things which may be impossible in

real life. It is a strategic life-simulation video game developed by

Maxis and published by Electronic Arts. It simulates the daily activities of one or more virtual

persons (Sims) in a suburban household near SimCity.

Simulators for Rockets & Robots - Overview

Screenshot - Farmville

Farmville A farming simulation social network game developed by Zynga in 2009. Gameplay involves general farm management such as plowing land, planting, growing and harvesting crops, harvesting trees and bushes, and raising livestock. It is available as an Adobe Flash application via the social-networking website Facebook and Microsoft's MSN Games, and also as app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. As of September 2011, FarmVille is the third most popular Facebook game, behind CityVille and The Sims Social.

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience2011-2012 NASA University Student Launch Initiative (USLI)

Team Name: FAMU Diamondbacks (@FAMUDBacks)Mission: To win the USLI rocket competition by successfully launching and recovering a rocket to an altitude of 1 mile (5,280 feet).

Highlights: NASA USLI presented a unique opportunity that had not been pursued before at FAMU. Project aimed to open the eyes of FAMU students, as well as encourage students to step out of their comfort zone and gain new experiences. FAMU DBacks focused on designing the most creative and innovative rocket which will reach the required altitude and possess maximum safety and efficiency.FAMU DBacks also planned to integrate the most creative and innovative science payload into our rocket design.

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience

FAMU Diamondbacks Project Budget

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My Experience

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – My ExperienceRockSim software used to simulate rocket flight

Crucial in rocket design, construction and implementation

Mandatory step required by NASA before rocket is launched

Important modifications made based on simulation results

Result: FAMU Diamondbacks, 1st Place Altitute Award, 2012 NASA USLI

Simulators for Rockets & Robots

A Simulator for Rockets

RockSim Tutorial

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim RockSim is a computer program that allows you to design any size rocket, and

then simulate its flight to see how high, and how fast it will fly.

User is able to find out if it is stable and safe to launch even before starting to

build the creation.

Used by NASA scientists, amateur clubs and even high school kids.

Simulates the design, implementation and flight of real rockets and several

models.

Allows users to build their own rocket, or choose from available model

designs.

Users can quickly see the likely effects of design changes, hopefully

preventing crashes and lost work.

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim

Screenshot – Rocket Design and Construction in RockSim

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RockSim

Screenshot – Rocket Simulation in RockSim

• RockSim Demo• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEWRlu4K7ts

Simulators for Rockets & Robots

A Simulator for Robots

RoboLogix Tutorial

Simulators for Rockets & Robots - RoboLogixDesigned primarily as an education tool, ideal for students,

robot designers and engineers.

Provides all the power and functionality of professional software costing thousands of dollars via a user-friendly 3D interface.

Robotic programs can be tested and debugged in a safe, non-hazardous environment using accurate simulations.

Simulated robot data is accessible without tying up programming time on an actual robot.

A control panel is included with RoboLogix that allows the user to issues command to the robot model in the simulated environment.

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RoboLogix

Screenshot – Work Envelope in RoboLogix

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – RoboLogix

Screenshot – Crumpled Box in RoboLogix

• RoboLogix Demo

Simulators for Rockets & Robots

Simulators for Rockets & Robots

Lab Activity I

RockSim Lab

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Lab Activity I

• Follow instructions on lab document. • Video Guide - RockSim Lab

• http://www.cis.famu.edu/~dpaul/courses/

Simulators for Rockets & Robots

Lab Activity II

RoboLogix Lab

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Lab Activity II

• Follow instructions on lab document. • Video Guide - RoboLogix

• http://www.cis.famu.edu/~dpaul/courses/

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Additional Resources

RockSim:http://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocksim/Rocksim_information/

RoboLogix: http://www.robologix.com

Simulators for Rockets & Robots – Questions/Discussion