24 replies to this topic

[Sniggeh]

Okay, I just recently got Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0, and I wanted to make a tutorial on how to program you coasters with it so they can run automatically.

Step 1: The Lift

You will want to create a new program and select Complete Pallet, Common, then Move.


Here is the program close-up:


You are then going to want to create a block so it is simpler to look at:


Here is what you should have after this:


Step 2: The circuit

You will then want to go to Flow and pull out a Wait block. Set the time to however long your circuit will be until the final breaks:


Step 3: The Cycle

Then you will want to go to Action, then bring out three motor blocks and one wait block:


First Block: (This will be the brake run)


Second: (This will be the station. Just make it run for as long as you want the train to pull in to the station. The train will then stop at the gates if you want it to)


Wait block: (Just as long as you want the train to stay in the station)


Third: (Just until the train finishes exiting the station)


Then create a block with all of those:


Then put a loop box around them:

(Do this by highlighting everything, putting a loop block into the beginning of the program, then dragging everything into the block)


Please Comment!

[Jumpge]

Very god program for all of the newbies that got NXT for their coaster! Very nice tutorial and very helpful! I had a hard time putting a loop on the program the first them I used this.

[Maxlaam]

Doesn't mindstorms have sensors that would be able to detect the train? Using a wait is very inaccurate.

[ForgotToGrowUp]

Hey guys, I am not familiar with lego mindstorms. Can you point me to a coaster link that shows this system in action? I am curious about it.

(programming things comes easy to me, been doing it in different forms for 40 years)

[Maxlaam]

Invertigo - SSCoasters Rides Database

[Sniggeh]

Very god program for all of the newbies that got NXT for their coaster! Very nice tutorial and very helpful! I had a hard time putting a loop on the program the first them I used this.

Thanks! I'm glad you like this!

Doesn't mindstorms have sensors that would be able to detect the train? Using a wait is very inaccurate.

Yes, this was just for a very simple coaster. I'll be updating this tomorrow with the touch sensor programming.

[pkiknex25]

I'd love to use this! If only the intelligent brick wasn't so damn expensive.

[RCExtreme]

O.o Wow, that looks confusing.

Actually, now that I look more carefully at it, it makes sense. My dad has thought about getting me the Mindstorms, but it's too expensive.

[Knexrule11]

I have a NXT, but I need to have a coaster to install it on. Maybe I'll have one sometime soon.

This is a great tutorial, it will sure help me if I do it.

[~stεεlspectrum~]

The Mindstorms is incredibly simple to program, it's just that connecting the motors to Knex is sometimes an issue. I almost always use the NXT motors to switch other motors on/off; that way you can have stronger motors and preserve the NXT's battery life longer.

[floris2burn]

The Mindstorms is incredibly simple to program, it's just that connecting the motors to Knex is sometimes an issue. I almost always use the NXT motors to switch other motors on/off; that way you can have stronger motors and preserve the NXT's battery life longer.

Looks like a simple solution

And yeah, one of those controllers is really expensive, but what I spent on electronics is already higher then one of those controllers XD

[Sniggeh]

Sorry for the long wait, I have strep throat.

In this post I will show you how to make a trigger system attached to the touch sensor. Programming part should come soon.

What you will be making:






Parts:
















Make these:


Make these:


Attach like so:


Build and attach these:




Attach a green rod:


Add these on to the ladder piece:


Build this with Mindstorms:


Attach the second rod:


Add these:


Tape the sections together like this:


Now attach this to you station/brake run like this:





Programming part should be coming soon!

[LaMbChOpZ]

This is awesome!!! i just wish i had NXT... :/

[~stεεlspectrum~]

That's pretty cool, I've never used the touch sensor like that before. I have one question--how much does it slow down the train?

[Sniggeh]

That's pretty cool, I've never used the touch sensor like that before. I have one question--how much does it slow down the train?

I'm not sure yet, but if you're using it near a station or brake run I don't think that it would matter much.

[LaMbChOpZ]

^well it also looks like the automatic station gates, and those dont slow it down much, so i wouldn't think that it would slow it down a ton.

[Maxlaam]

I'm not sure yet, but if you're using it near a station or brake run I don't think that it would matter much.

Doesn't mindstorms have light and colour sensors? Those would be better imho.

However Project Phase also relies on physical switches, however those are so small they barely give any resistance.

[Sniggeh]

Doesn't mindstorms have light and colour sensors?

Yes, but that will be added into this thread using the ultrasonic sensor.

[Maxlaam]

Not entirely sure how fast the update rate of those sensors are, especially the ultrasonic sensor. But you could use that to align your train in the station using some easy variables. that would be awesome and is the only thing I really hate about Project Phase atm. I rely on using delays that come down to the milliseconds.

[scott]

perhaps use the light sense thing to detect the train to make it go?