Let's build a SeaMATE Barracuda ROV.
This is a general guide for building a SeaMATE Barracuda ROV. It includes a list of items that need to be purchased for building a Barracuda ROV in the classroom, as well as links to presentations and activities to facilitate teaching and building. Enjoy the build!
Here's what you need.
Instructor Resources
Many of the presentations have instructor-added audio files. Click the audio icon in the top left corner of each slide to hear a MATE instructor's audio presentation of the slide.
Materials Needed List
The following materials should be ordered for every Barracuda build.
- 1 Barracuda ROV Kit per group of students (usual group 3-6 students).
- 1 Barracuda Grab Bag - spare parts kits for every 4-5 groups of students.
- 1 MATE Wire Soldering Lab Kit per student.
- 1 MATE Practice Board Kit per student.
- 1 PVC and Fittings from hardware store and 30 cm of foam from big box store/dollar stores per group of students.
- 90 cm of Rebar/Metal Rod
- 1 2m Hydraulics Kit per group of students (if doing Simple Hydraulics).
- 1 Hydraulic tool (PVC)
- 1 Non-moving manipulator (plastic hanger) per group of students.
*Barracuda ROV kits may be taken apart and re-used for future builds. Just the unassembled control box can be replaced with a Barracuda Control Box Kit.
The following materials need to be ordered only once. They can be re-used for future ROV Barracuda builds.
- 1 Power Supply with GFCI plug-in for every 2 groups of students. Note: If you do not have a source of AC electricity (wall outlet) near your pool, alternative methods of powering the ROV may be needed.
- 1 ROV-in-a-Bag Assembled AngelFish Kit per group of students (for the ROV-in-a-Bag Activity).
- 1 Set of PVC and Fittings from hardware store and 30 cm of foam from big box stores/dollar stores per group of students for the ROV-in-a-Bag activity.
- 1 Set of Tools to construct the Barracuda ROV kit per group of students. Some consumables may need to be purchased repeatedly. Prices may vary.
- 1 Simple Circuits Lab Kit per group of students.
- 1 Frame Pool - used for practice and testing. Not needed if you have full time access to a larger pool. Note: Purchase in wintertime for large discount; price increased in springtime.
- 1 Set of simple missions. Pool Rings are a simple item to easily pick up from the bottom of the pool.
- Alternatively, the Spanish Galleon Competition Kit offers a more complex mission for ROVs to complete.
- Alternatively, you can use MATE ROV Competition Missions from past years.
- See the Missions Presentation for additional information.
I have my materials, now I'm ready to teach.
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Introduction to Remotely Operated Vehicles |
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Underwater Robotics textbook reading:
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2 hours |
Quick ROV Building
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20 minutes |
The Mission
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Metacognitive Card Game:
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Standards |
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Tools and System: Frame |
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Underwater Robotics Textbook Reading:
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20 - 30 minutes |
Tools
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2 hours
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Computer Aided Design (optional)
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1 hour |
ROV Frame
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30 minutes |
Team Building
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Standards |
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Basic Electronics |
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Underwater Robotics Textbook Reading:
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3 hours
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Electronics
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Instructor Resources: Standards |
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Systems: Power, Control, Tether & Propulsion Troubleshooting |
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Underwater Robotics Textbook Reading:
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1.5 hours |
Soldering
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20 minutes |
ROV Power System
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6 hours |
ROV Analog Control System
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45 minutes
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ROV Tether System
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2 hours |
ROV Sensor System (Optional)
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45 minutes |
ROV Propulsion System
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1.5 hours |
Troubleshooting
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Standards |
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Converting from Analog to Digital |
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Underwater Robotics Textbook Reading:
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1 hour |
Digital Control
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1 hour |
Computer Programming |
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Digital Troubleshooting |
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Standards |
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System: Payload |
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Underwater Robotics Textbook Reading:
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1 hour |
Hydraulics
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Standards |
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System: Buoyancy / Ballast |
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Underwater Robotics Textbook Reading:
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1 hour |
Buoyancy and Ballast
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Standards |
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ROVs Outside the Classroom |
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1 Hour |
The MATE ROV Competition
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30 minutes |
Virtual Field Trips
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15 minutes |
The Ocean Workforce |
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2 hours |
Exploring the Oceans
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Instructor Resources: Standards: |
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Safety and Operations |
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Underwater Robotics Textbook Reading:
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20 minutes |
Safety
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1 – 3 hours |
Operations
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Instructor Resources: NTSA |
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