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Introducing Pitsco TETRIX® PRIME for NI myRIO

Updated Mar 19, 2019

Overview

NI partnered with Pitsco Education to offer a robotics kit that students can use to apply engineering concepts they learn in the classroom to real controls and robotics systems. Combining myRIO hardware with LabVIEW software, the Pitsco TETRIX building system, sensors, and actuators gives students all the building blocks they need to create and automate model assemblies as well as their own designs.

Table of Contents

  1. What Is the Pitsco TETRIX PRIME for myRIO?
  2. What Can Students Build?
  3. Next Steps

What Is the Pitsco TETRIX PRIME for myRIO?

The Pitsco TETRIX PRIME for myRIO is a kit that introduces students to hands-on engineering in controls and robotics.  Students use it to learn and apply skills in mechanical design, graphical programming, and controls theory so that they can design, prototype, and automate their own assemblies.  

The kit includes:

  • Builder's guide with step-by-step instructions for getting started and building three model assemblies
  • Over 300 mechanical components for building assemblies
  • Motor board to connect all included sensors and actuators with ease
  • 10-cell AA NiMH Battery Pack
  • Battery charger
  • Sensors and actuators: two standard servos, two DC motors, ambient light sensor, gyro sensor, IR rangefinder

(myRIO is sold separately)

Download the Builders Guide for more information on kit components and how to get started.
Download the accompanying LabVIEW software to start connecting to sensors and automating assemblies.

 

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What Can Students Build?

Students start with step-by-step instructions for building and automating three model assemblies. They use Pitsco TETRIX parts to build the physical assembly, connect sensors and actuators to myRIO, and program in LabVIEW. After completing all the steps to implement basic functionality, students can use the skills they've learned to develop additional functionality for the existing assemblies and create designs of their own.

Rover Vehicle Assembly

  • Build a teleoperated rover that can drive forwards and backwards, and turn using two geared DC motors
  • Use the supplied LabVIEW VIs to set up myRIO to receive, interpret, and implement commands transmitted over Wi-Fi from your PC
  • Navigate the rover to travel while it collects data from an IR sensor
  • Modify the supplied code to extend Rover functionality to follow lines, use the end effector, operate autonomously, and more

 

Balancing Arm Assembly

 

  • Build a control system that uses an IR range sensor and servo motor to keep a ball at a specified position
  • Use the supplied LabVIEW code which implements a proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) algorithm to control ball position
  • Move the ball set point and see the arm's reaction
  • Lightly knock the ball out of place, and see how the arm recovers
  • Modify the supplied code to extend functionality to automate the arm to move the ball to different setpoints over time

 

Self-Balancing Robot Assembly

 

  • Build a robot that autonomously balances itself in place using DC motors and inputs from a gyroscope, accelerometer, and two encoders
  • Use the supplied LabVIEW code which implements closed-loop proportional, derivative (PD) control and a complementary filter
  • Test the robot's limits by lightly tapping and balancing objects on top
  • Take on the advanced challenge of modifying the supplied code to extend functionality to move the robot forward or backwards

 

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