Modeling and simulation of multibody mechanical systems in a 3D environment is very common in engineering today. It helps engineers develop control systems and test system-level performance of their products. The Robot Modeling Challenge allows BEST students an opportunity to experience this unique and integral part of system development and testing. Students will learn to utilize industry accepted tools as they attempt to model their BEST robot design in a 3D virtual environment and demonstrate its functionality through simulation and animation.
Protocol (Timeframe & Procedures)
Teams will be allowed up to 9 weeks from their competition Kickoff date to complete the modeling of their robot. Modeling should occur in parallel with other design activities to ensure adequate time is available to complete the task.
Refer to the Awards and Judging Hub Logistics Document for the exact time allowed between your hub kickoff and the evaluation period.
The demonstration of the modeled robot will take place as a scheduled online meeting at time(s) selected by the Hub.
A minimum of one student will take part in the demonstration. Teachers and other adults may oversee/guide but may not actively participate in the demonstration.
The team can choose the format and content of the demonstration to judges.
Teams must use Mathworks MATLAB/Simulink and Simscape Multibody 3D simulation environment. CAD parts can be imported from other tools but Mathworks Simscape Multibody will be the environment used for the motion modeling and simulation.
BEST is providing some models of its standard Kit parts ready to be dropped-in to your design so you can concentrate on modeling the robot and its motions.