LEGO Mindstorms NXT Crane with Ball Sorting Conveyor System

This is a LEGO Mindstorms NXT Crane which delivers balls to a Coloured Ball Sorting Conveyor System. The Ball Sorting Conveyor System uses RC Servo Motors to control the Conveyor and Sorting Mechanism. A single NXT Brick Controls 4 standard 180° RC Servos in the Sorting mechanism and another is used for the Crane's Grab. Two Full-Rotation 360° Servos are used to drive the two conveyor belts. The Servo Motors are controlled via Mindsensors NXTServo Controller module.

The Crane uses 3x NXT Motors and a standard RC 180° Servo for the Grab mechanism at the end of the arm. One NXT motor Raises and lowers the Crane's Arm. A second NXT Motor Rotates the Crave through 180° degrees. The third NXT Motor, allows the Crane to traverse along the track assembly, too and from the Conveyor which loads the Coloured Balls into the Sorter.

All the functions of this Crane and coloured Ball Sorting Mechanism are controlled by just a SINGLE LEGO Mindstorms NXT programable Brick, thanks to the Mindsensor NXT-Servo. This NXT-Servo Controller module effectively gives your NXT another "8 Motor Ports". In a lot of Robots, the NXT Motors are used as Servos. By using the NXT-Servo and a standard RC Servo you can replace a valuable NXT Motor & NXT Port with this substitute freeing the NXT Components  up for another function, to embellish your robot further. Or if you just need a free running motor as part of your robot? Substitute a 360° Full-rotation Servo which can supply hight torque as well.

The NXT Crane, the Ball Sorting mechanism, and the Conveyor System, are part of a lager project I'm currently working on which will featue and Ball Ordering System and a Dump Truck to pickup and carry the delivery loaded by the crane to the Ball Sorting Mechanism.

Full details are on my Blog: www.rjmcnamara.com

LEGO NXT Mindstorms Crane Colour Ball Sorting Sorter Conveyor System Mindsensors NXT-Servo Servo Motor RC Full Rotation NXC Hitechnic Sensor 180° 360° rotation

http://www.rjmcnamara.com/?p=3401

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qDpRbUKGE4