Education University of RoboTech

Using Solid Edge helps students build a reliable, winning robot

Product Students excel using “team Solid Edge design process”

High-value learning experience Business challenges The ’s Department Develop a reliable robot of , Teiyukai RoboTech that performs according to (RoboTech), which has more than 50 specifications members, set its sights on winning the Improve design team NHK University Robot Contest (NHK efficiency Robocon) as well as the international competition at the ABU -Pacific Robot Adjust to diverse courses Contest (ABU Robocon). RoboTech’s and required tasks strategic edge is the use of Solid Edge® software from product lifecycle manage- Keys to success ment (PLM) specialist Siemens PLM Software. Engage 3D CAD software with minimal training “The RoboTech program provides students Increasing design efficiency Increase collaboration by with the opportunity to create something After the competitive tasks for the contest sharing design data and real by experiencing what they have learned were announced, team members met to design intent in lectures,” says Professor Yasuo Kuniyoshi determine the design strategy, with the Improve reliability through of the Department of Intelligent Machinery type of mechanisn to be used critical to design, build, test and at the School of Information Science and success. The design team quickly decided feedback cycle Technology at the Graduate School of the on a tactical approach and the type of University of Tokyo. “Students learn inter- mechanism to use. personal skills and increase their organiza- Results tional ability while building up the necessary Using Solid Edge made it possible to Highly reliable robot knowledge to aim for victory in the contest.” assign separate design responsibilities to developed in a short span individual students for each part, and sub- of time A robot’s speed and reliability are impor- sequently unify their designs. Solid Edge enabled team members to readily share Performance issues difficult tant factors in winning a robot competition and, in order to develop a great robot by up-to-date data, easily understand design to identify using 2D readily intent and consider the best options. After exposed with 3D the contest deadline, highly efficient design work is required. The competitive tasks the the robot was built, the team encountered Students gained high robot must perform are changed annually, problems including malfunctions and break- proficiency using team so a new robot must be developed for age. Whenever a problem was discovered, design process each contest. team members solved it by studying the CAD data. After a series of modifications, they were able to optimize the robot.

www.siemens.com/solidedge Results (continued) RoboTech team victorious two years in a row at NHK Robocon Team also received consecu- tive awards at ABU Robocon

“When we employed CAD to “Fundamental considerations included: well as strength and weight factors,” says advance the design, we felt ‘How do we want to make our robot Akazaki. “Designing using 3D also improves we were using our brains in move?’ and ‘What type of robot would efficiency, because problems can be discov- a new, more enlightening be best to build?’” says Takumi Akazaki, ered at an early stage. This can also signifi- way. Because we were using 2012 student manager of the University cantly cut the time, expense and effort Solid Edge to design the of Tokyo RoboTech team. “When we involved in building additional prototypes.” robot, we could get a precise employed CAD to advance the design, Reliability delivers the winning edge image of the robot, which we felt we were using our brains in a new, enabled us to quickly more enlightening way. Because we were Akazaki explains the team’s success: arrange dimensions and using Solid Edge to design the robot, we “I think the reason we were able to win NHK classify files during assem- could get a precise image of the robot, Robocon was because our robot was more bly. We were able to design which enabled us to quickly arrange dimen- reliable compared with the robots from the robot in a way that was sions and classify files during assembly. other universities. Because a robot includes easily understood by other We were able to design the robot in a many components, it is vulnerable. The team members.” way that was easily understood by other robot will fail if there is one part somewhere team members. that does not work. Using Solid Edge, we “By designing the robot in repeatedly tested and gathered as much a 3D environment using “By designing the robot in a 3D environment data as possible on what worked well and Solid Edge, you notice things using Solid Edge, you notice things that are what did not. Using this feedback, we built a that are difficult to identify difficult to identify when designing with 2D, reliable robot that was resistant to break- when designing with 2D, such as friction between components as down. As a result, our robot never failed such as friction between components as well as strength and weight factors. Designing using 3D also improves efficiency, because“ Using Solid Edge…we built a problems can be discovered at an early stage. This can reliable robot that was resistant to also significantly cut the time, expense and effort involved in building addi- breakdown. As a result, our robot tional prototypes.” Takumi Akazaki never failed once at Robocon.” 2012 Student Manager Takumi Akazaki University of Tokyo 2012 Student Manager RoboTech Team University of Tokyo RoboTech Team Solutions/Services Solid Edge “ Designing using 3D… www.siemens.com/solidedge significantly cut the time, Customer’s primary business The University of Tokyo expense and effort involved RoboTech is a robot develop- ment team. RoboTech has in building additional won competitions and awards at a number of distinguished events, including NHK prototypes.” Robocon and ABU Robocon. www.mech.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ Takumi Akazaki robotech/index.html 2012 Student Manager University of Tokyo RoboTech Team Customer location Tokyo once at Robocon, and I think this was the some basic instruction. Moreover, by actu- reason for our success.” ally using Solid Edge themselves, freshmen learn how to operate Solid Edge, which “ Using Solid Edge, we repeat- The use of Solid Edge enabled complicated gives them an edge in developing the robot edly tested and gathered as design work to be performed with ease and for the main contest. much data as possible on speed. By establishing an effective process what worked well and what for the team – from design to feedback – Success at both NHK Robocon did not. Using this feedback, a highly efficient design was achieved. and ABU Robocon we built a reliable robot that Solid Edge was not only used to design the The University of Tokyo RoboTech team was resistant to breakdown. robot, but also to design a simulation of the was victorious in both 2011 and 2012 at As a result, our robot never robot’s competitive working environment. NHK Robocon. The RoboTech team then failed once at Robocon, and As a result, more than 10,000 running tests represented Japan in both 2011 and 2012 I think this was the reason were performed, which notably improved at the prestigious ABU Robocon and for our success.” the reliability of the second and third proto- received awards in both years. Takumi Akazaki types, and enabled a significantly better 2012 Student Manager robot design. According to Akazaki, the University of University of Tokyo Tokyo RoboTech welcomes greater chal- RoboTech Team Beginners learn quickly lenges and truly enjoys the competitive Freshmen now use Solid Edge to prepare events. He notes, “We are now continu- for contests held during the summer holi- ously aiming for victory.” day. Senior students give the freshmen

Siemens PLM Software

Americas +1 314 264 8287 © 2014 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. Siemens and the Siemens logo are registered trademarks of Europe +44 (0) 1276 413200 Siemens AG. D-Cubed, Femap, Fibersim, Geolus, GO PLM, I-deas, JT, NX, Parasolid, Solid Edge, Syncrofit, Teamcenter and Asia-Pacific +852 2230 3308 Tecnomatix are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsid- iaries in the United States and in other countries. All other logos, trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders. www.siemens.com/plm 34292-Z13 11/14 C