K'Nex Education 79100 User Manual
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K'Nex Education 79100 User Manual

Robotics building system
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Summary of Contents for K'Nex Education 79100

  • Page 1 ® Education USER’S education.com GUIDE ROBOTICS Building System Building Programs 79100/79484...
  • Page 2 V01 8-2016 ® Education Education ® education.com USER’S Building Programs GUIDE Building Programs ROBOTICS Building System CONTENTS HARDWARE GUIDE .........3 SOFTWARE GUIDE ........16 WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. A NOTE ABOUT SAFETY: Safety is of primary concern in science and technology classrooms.

  • Page 3: Hardware Guide

    K’NEX ROBOTICS HARDWARE GUIDE The K’NEX ROBOTICS CONTROL BOX The K’NEX Robotics Control Box is the link between the computer and the electrical components in a model. It provides power for the electrical components and also acts as a buffer between the components and the computer. It can store and play up to 10 different programs.
  • Page 4 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE The K’NEX ROBOTICS USB Plugged In CONTROL BOX Outputs A - D for Motors Power Supply Plugged In LCD Screen Battery Power Level Indicator Power Switch Power Supply Socket Inputs 1 - 6 SCROLL Up Button for Sensors USB Port Digital Outputs 1 and 2...
  • Page 5 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE K’NEX ROBOTICS CONTROL BOX SCREEN NAVIGATION GUIDE Press and Hold to Stop Program Optional Wi-Fi screen Wi-Fi screens start on next page Sensors needed for program to run will disappear upon insertion Firmware Version Number See pages 6 and 7 for Wi-Fi Serial Number Navigation Screens...
  • Page 6 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE Chart continues on next page K’NEX ROBOTICS exit and save WI-FI SCREEN NAVIGATION GUIDE exit without saving (If equipped with optional Wi-Fi) Education ® Education ® education.com Building Programs...
  • Page 7 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE Move forward and back through characters Education ® Education ® education.com Building Programs...
  • Page 8 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE MOTORS Motors provide motion to models and contain a rotation sensor that allows precise control of the motor. Motors can be built into K’NEX models using the Power Take Off (PTO) Drive and rod loop on the motor housing. Connect motors only to sockets A, B, C or D along the top of the Control Box.
  • Page 9 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE Color/Light Sensor This is a dual use sensor which is capable of measuring either light levels or the color of an object. The sensor contains two separate sensor chips WHITE and a white LED which are visible behind the clear window on the end of the housing.

  • Page 10: Setting Up For The First Time

    K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE POWER SUPPLY The power supply “transforms” the AC power from your household electrical outlet into DC power similar to that supplied by batteries. The power supply can be used to power the Control Box to conserve battery power. It is recommended that it be used to power the Control box when creating and testing control programs.
  • Page 11 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE Step 4 To use the Control Box with K’NEX Robotics software, it must first be set up from the software. 1. Start the K’NEX Robotics software. 2. If this is the first time K’NEX Robotics software is opened then a “Choose the Connection”...
  • Page 12 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE There are two distinct modes of operating the Control Box. 1. It can be connected to the computer and operate as an ordinary real time control interface with the K’NEX Robotics software, providing real time feedback on the program’s status.
  • Page 13 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE • Select the desired slot for your program by clicking on a number 1-10. The chosen row will highlight. NOTE: You can choose a vacant spot or overwrite an existing program. • Click “Download Program” and a “Control Program Name” window will open. Enter a name for your program (15 characters or less) and click “OK”.

  • Page 14: Technical Specifications

    K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE Stored Program Limits The K’NEX Robotics Control Box has 2Mb of user program storage space. • Ten programs can be stored in the Control Box. • The maximum size of any single program is 64K (approximately 6500 symbols or steps!).

  • Page 15: Troubleshooting

    K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTING Problem: When I click on the Connect icon, I get a “Communications Error: could not connect to the interface” message. 1. Disconnect the power supply, reconnect and try again. 2. Check that the Control Box is powered and switched on. 3.

  • Page 16: Software Guide

    K’NEX ROBOTICS SOFTWARE GUIDE Overview The K’NEX Robotics software is a fully featured Control program. Designed for students 10+, it offers a simple yet powerful programming language that allows students to program and control K’NEX models and devices using the K’NEX Robotics interface. The language is based on worldwide standard flowcharting principals.

  • Page 17: System Requirements

    K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE System Requirements Computer: PC with free USB port (not Mac compatible) Operating System: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 Minimum Software: Microsoft.NET 4.0 Framework Display: 1024 x 768 * If Microsoft.NET 4.0 framework is not detected during the installation setup process, it will be automatically installed prior to the application install.

  • Page 18: The Screen Layout

    K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Screen Layout Control Toolbar Menu Bar Standard Toolbar Selector Toolbar Information Panel – This panel contains 6 different tabs that display different information about the Symbol control program. Toolbar Window Dividers – drag left/right or up/down to alter window size/shape.
  • Page 19 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Flowchart or Procedure Selector Toolbar Use the drop-down menu in this toolbar to select which “Start” or “Procedure” will be displayed in the editing area. The Symbol Toolbar To create programs you need to place appropriate symbols onto the edit area, enter the correct control commands into the symbols and then connect the symbols together to specify the flow of the program.
  • Page 20 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Information Panel The Text View Tab The Text View tab displays the flowchart or procedure that is in edit area in a textual format. The text will be in red italics until the flow line is correctly set, i.e. a flow line connects the symbols.
  • Page 21 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Map Tab The Map Tab displays the complete control program with all starts and procedures. Right click in the map area to alter the scale of view. When a control program is running, the symbols will highlight as they become active when this tab is selected. If you click on a “Start”...
  • Page 22 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Simulator Screen Tab This tab displays images included in a program that are displayed on the LCD. Images will appear in this tab as they are called for in a program. If no images are called for in a program, this tab will remain blank.
  • Page 23 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Memory Use Tab This tab displays information about the available space for sound and image files. As you load sounds and images to a control program, this tab will inform you how much of the available space you have used.
  • Page 24 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Program Terminology A computer controlled system needs a sequence of commands, this is called a program. The program should give commands in the correct order to tell the computer exactly what to do and when to do it. The Control Program is the entire set of commands.
  • Page 25 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE For example: When you place an Output symbol, the selection panel will look like this: Education ® Education ® education.com Building Programs...
  • Page 26 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE To switch on motor A, click a direction for the motor to turn and enter a motor speed between 0 and 100%. You can use the mouse to click numbers and symbols from the keypad in the selection window, or you can type numbers using the standard keyboard. When you have made your selection, click on the OK button to save your changes and the commands will appear in the symbol in the edit area.
  • Page 27 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Connecting the Symbols The next stage is to connect the symbols in the edit area together to show the order in which each symbol (command) should be carried out (the direction of the flowchart): 1. Click on the Flow Line icon (1). 2.
  • Page 28 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Deleting Flow Lines If you make a mistake and wish to connect a line with a different symbol either: • Use the Flow Line tool as if there wasn’t already a line there, i.e. by placing a new line from one symbol to another to automatically replace the old connection.
  • Page 29 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Start Symbol NOTE: The edit area will only show the flowchart (Start) or procedure (Procedure) that is currently being edited. Therefore when a new Start symbol is selected, any existing flowchart or procedure will disappear from the edit area. •...
  • Page 30 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE For example: A control program written to operate a machine could have one flowchart which actually operates the machine while a second flowchart could continually look to ensure that the safety cut-off switch has not been pressed. If the switch is pressed, this flowchart could stop the whole program from running.
  • Page 31 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE During typical behavior the flowchart executes one command and then immediately proceeds to the next command. However, it can be forced to wait until the motor command has completed. For example, the motor could be switched on for 3 seconds and the flowchart forced to stay at this point until the 3 seconds has elapsed by checking the “Wait for motor(s) to finish”...
  • Page 32 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Output Select the output number you wish to use, then click the Off, Green, Red, or Yellow button to select the output status of the LED. Both LED outputs can be controlled in one command if desired. Simply make the selections you want for both before clicking on OK.
  • Page 33 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Sound The K’NEX Robotics software can use any sound file in a .wav, .mp3 or .wma file format. To use a sound, click on the “Read Sound File” button. Locate and select the sound file to be used.
  • Page 34 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Image User generated images can be displayed on the LCD during your program. For best results use 128x64 pixel black and white BMP files that match the screen resolution. The software can load and convert most images files (.bmp; .jpg; .tif) for display on the LCD. However, images that are not 128x64 pixels may become distorted or clipped and color images will be converted to “black and white”.
  • Page 35 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Text Up to four lines of text can be displayed on the LCD during your program. Select the number button that corresponds to the line on which you wish to display text. Click in the text box next to the line number you have selected and enter the desired text, approximately 15 characters per line.
  • Page 36 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Process Symbol Click on the Process icon, move the mouse into the edit area and click to fix in place. In the selection panel, click on either the Wait, Procedure or Make button. Make your selection from the panel. Click on OK to enter the completed command into the process symbol.
  • Page 37 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Wait This delays the flowchart at the current symbol (current flowchart only) for the allotted amount of time entered. For example, use this to keep an Output LED switched On for 2 seconds. Enter a time in seconds from the keypad buttons shown using the mouse or type in the value using the PC keyboard.
  • Page 38 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE NOTE: Additional vertical lines are added to the sides of the symbol to distinguish it from a regular process symbol in a flowchart. Select the procedure’s name from the list of existing procedures or type in a new procedure name.
  • Page 39 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE • Select the letters, mathematical symbols and numbers from the keypad or type them in. To edit: Use the ‘C’ key to clear or highlight and delete using your keyboard. A variable is a letter or word that can be assigned a value. e.g.
  • Page 40 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Decision Symbol Click on the Decision icon, move the mouse into the edit area and click to fix in place. In the selection panel, click on either the Sensor or Variable button. Make the selection from the panel. Click on OK to enter the completed command into the decision symbol.
  • Page 41 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Variable NOTE: The command Make (see page 38) is used to generate a variable and assign a value. Use this option to check the value of a variable. Enter the condition to be checked for using either the radio buttons or the PC keyboard. For example: •...
  • Page 42 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Sensor Used to check the state of an input, e.g. to check to see if a switch has been turned on. • Select the desired sensor from the sensor drop down list. • Enter the condition to be checked for using either the radio buttons or the PC keyboard.
  • Page 43 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Is Motor Used to check the state of a motor; either how fast or what direction it is turning. • Select the desired motor from the motor drop down list. • Enter the condition to be checked for using either the radio buttons or the PC keyboard.
  • Page 44 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Is Output Used to check the state of an output; Off, Red, Green or Yellow. • Select the desired motor from the motor drop down list. • Enter the condition to be checked for using either the radio buttons or the PC keyboard.
  • Page 45 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Stop Symbol Click on the Stop icon, move the mouse into the edit area and click to fix in place. Stop will automatically be selected. If Stop All is required, select the Stop All button in the selection panel.
  • Page 46 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE The Flow Line The Flow Line tool is used to connect the symbols in the correct sequence and direction of flow. It is important that the symbols are connected in the order in which the commands need to execute.
  • Page 47 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Delete With Selection active, click on the symbol or line To delete (it will highlight to show it’s selected) and click a symbol on the Delete icon or right click and select “de- or line lete this item”.
  • Page 48 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE When you click on the Start/Stop icon in the standard toolbar both flowcharts will be run – it’s that simple! To view your whole control program, select the map tab. NOTE: Starts are colored red and procedures are colored blue by default. Right click in the map area and select the desired scale for viewing.

  • Page 49: Creating Procedures

    K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Creating Procedures As a control program becomes more complex, it is often desirable to break it down into smaller more manageable tasks. This is where procedures are used. For example, in the case of the airplane model, it may be beneficial to break the process down as follows: •...
  • Page 50 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Running a Control Program Once a control program has been written, it can be run by clicking on the Start/Stop icon. To stop the program before it reaches the end, click on the Start/Stop icon. This will stop all parts of the program instantly.
  • Page 51 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Follow Flowchart If Follow Flowchart (Debug menu) is ticked then the progress of whichever flowchart is currently active in the edit area will be followed in detail through all procedures. Start Settings Normally when you click on the Start/Stop icon the entire control program (all flowcharts and all procedures) will run.
  • Page 52 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Run only the Current Flowchart To run only the flowchart that you are currently working with in the edit area, select Run: xx (the current flowchart name) from the Debug menu. Pause and Single Step 1.

  • Page 53: Downloading Your Program

    K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Remove breakpoints To remove breakpoints individually, right click on the relevant symbol and deselect the Breakpoint tick. To remove all breakpoints from a program, select Clear Breakpoints from the Debug menu. Start without breakpoints If you want to keep the breakpoints in place but to run your program without the breakpoints being applied, deselect Use Breakpoints from the Debug menu.

  • Page 54: Saving And Opening Files

    K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Copy and Paste To copy and paste: 1. Select the symbols you want to copy. 2. Select Copy from the Edit menu (or use Ctrl C). 3. Select Paste from the Edit menu (or use Ctrl V) and blank copies of the symbols will appear.
  • Page 55 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Printing Print The full range of print options is available via Print in the File menu. They will allow you choose what you wish to print, and how it will be fitted to the page. The options are: Page Setup Use this option to select your printer, paper size and orientation, etc.
  • Page 56 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Print Flowchart The Print Flowchart option can also be opened by clicking on the print icon in the toolbar. STEP 1: Select whether to print the graphical representation of: Current Flowchart – the flowchart or procedure currently selected in the edit area. All Flowcharts –...
  • Page 57 K’NEX Robotics User’s Guide SOFTWARE Print Text Select whether to print the textual representation of: Current Flowchart – the flowchart or procedure currently selected in the edit area. All Flowcharts – all the flowcharts or procedure in your control program. Selected Flowcharts –...

  • Page 58: User Information

    Once the AppConfig.txt file has been altered it should be saved. Please note on all windows 64bit operating systems, references to C:\Program Files will change to be C:\Program Files (x86)\K’NEX Robotics\OBJECTS Find K'NEX Robotics Building Set @demco.com Search: 13758970 Call 800.962.4463 or email custserv@demco.com Education ®...

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