High-value learning experience

The University of Tokyo’s Department of Engineering, Teiyukai RoboTech
(RoboTech), which has more than 50 members, set its sights on winning the
NHK University Robot Contest (NHKRobocon) as well as the international
competition at the ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest (ABU Robocon). RoboTech’s
strategic edge is the use of Solid Edge® software from product lifecycle management (PLM) specialist Siemens Digital Industries Software.

The University of Tokyo’s Department of Engineering, Teiyukai RoboTech
(RoboTech), which has more than 50 members, set its sights on winning the
NHK University Robot Contest (NHKRobocon) as well as the international
competition at the ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest (ABU Robocon). RoboTech’s
strategic edge is the use of Solid Edge® software from product lifecycle management (PLM) specialist Siemens Digital Industries Software.

A robot’s speed and reliability are important factors in winning a robot competition
and, in order to develop a great robot by the contest deadline, highly efficient design
work is required. The competitive tasks the robot must perform are changed annually, so a new robot must be developed for each contest.

Increasing design efficiency

After the competitive tasks for the contest were announced, team members met to
determine the design strategy, with the type of mechanism to be used critical to
success. The design team quickly decided on a tactical approach and the type of
mechanism to use.

Using Solid Edge made it possible to assign separate design responsibilities to
individual students for each part, and subsequently unify their designs. Solid Edge
enabled team members to readily share up-to-date data, easily understand design
intent and consider the best options. After the robot was built, the team encountered
problems including malfunctions and breakage. Whenever a problem was discovered,
team members solved it by studying the CAD data. After a series of modifications,
they were able to optimize the robot.

“Fundamental considerations included:
‘How do we want to make our robot move?’ and ‘What type of robot would
be best to build?’” says Takumi Akazaki,2012 student manager of the University
of Tokyo RoboTech team. “When we employed CAD to advance the design,
we felt we were using our brains in a new, more enlightening way. Because we were
using Solid Edge to design the robot, we could get a precise image of the robot,
which enabled us to quickly arrange dimensions and classify files during assembly.
We were able to design the robot in a way that was easily understood by other
team members.

“By designing the robot in a 3D environment using Solid Edge, you notice things that are
difficult to identify when designing with 2D, such as friction between components as
well as strength and weight factors,” says Akazaki. “Designing using 3D also improves
efficiency, because problems can be discovered at an early stage. This can also significantly cut the time, expense and effort involved in building additional prototypes.”

Reliability delivers the winning edge

Akazaki explains the team’s success:
“I think the reason we were able to win NHK Robocon was because our robot was more
reliable compared with the robots from other universities. Because a robot includes
many components, it is vulnerable. The robot will fail if there is one part somewhere
that does not work. Using Solid Edge, we repeatedly tested and gathered as much
data as possible on what worked well and what did not. Using this feedback, we built a
reliable robot that was resistant to breakdown. As a result, our robot never failed
once at Robocon, and I think this was the reason for our success.”

The use of Solid Edge enabled complicated design work to be performed with ease and
speed. By establishing an effective process for the team – from design to feedback –
a highly efficient design was achieved. Solid Edge was not only used to design the
robot, but also to design a simulation of the robot’s competitive working environment.
As a result, more than 10,000 running tests were performed, which notably improved
the reliability of the second and third prototypes, and enabled a significantly better
robot design.

Beginners learn quickly

Freshmen now use Solid Edge to prepare for contests held during the summer holiday. Senior students give the freshmen some basic instruction. Moreover, by actually using Solid Edge themselves, freshmen learn how to operate Solid Edge, which gives them an edge in developing the robot for the main contest.

Success at both NHK Robocon and ABU Robocon

The University of Tokyo RoboTech team was victorious in both 2011 and 2012 at
NHK Robocon. The RoboTech team then represented Japan in both 2011 and 2012
at the prestigious ABU Robocon and received awards in both years.

According to Akazaki, the University of Tokyo RoboTech welcomes greater challenges and truly enjoys the competitive events. He notes, “We are now continuously aiming for victory.”