Andrew Reitano's "Chess Player"
My
project
was an automated gantry mechanism designed to move chess pieces around
a board per the inputted coordinates. In this manner, a game of
chess
could be played without the pesky annoyance of actually having to pick
up the chess pieces (cause who knows where those chess pieces have
been!)
The overall mechanism
had motion in three directions. Using drawer sliders, the gantry
could move forward and back along the x-axis. By utilizing a
salvaged
printer mechanism, I achieved the motion in the z-axis direction.
The motion in this x-z plain was controlled by two individual stepper
motors
which used acme screws (threaded rods) to catch and propel the
mechanism.
A third stepper motor controlled a gear mesh which allowed the gripper,
a forked metal fixture, to move up and down in the y-axis direction.
This
three axis motion allowed the overall mechanism to move to any of the
64
squares on the chess board using inputted coordinates for an 8 x 8
grid.
The forked gripper would slide under the neck of any piece, and it
would
then be lifted and moved to its destination and lowered into
place.
Thus, any piece could be lifted and moved to any other square based on
the players' input.
My
name is Andrew Reitano. I am currently attending Rutgers
University,
and I am enrolled in the College of Engineering. I am still
attempting
to narrow down my options so as to choose my specific discipline of
engineering,
but I am most interested in Computer/Electrical Engineering and
Mechanical
Engineering. My main hobbies are drawing and writing. I am
one of the few engineering majors to voluntarily take English courses
due
to this writing interest, leaving me at the mercy of my friends
taunting.
In
my spare time, I mostly enjoy hanging out with my friends and simply
discussing
all of the important questions of life. You'd be surprised of the
philosophical breakthroughs you and your friends are capable of at 4
A.M.
when you haven't slept for three days. College is a whole new
world
to adjust to, but I am trying to take it all in stride. Well, I
hope
this gives you some insight into the complex and often frightening
world
of Andrew Reitano. Oh, and always remember to have fun, look out
for your friends, and be true to yourself. (I know you didn't ask for
advice,
but hey, it's free . . . )
Well, that's all for now, see
ya later, Andrew