Page 127 - Anatomy of a Robot

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112 CHAPTER THREE
Removable media
Connections and cable integrity
The following issues are a bit different:
Most tape drives that support removable media have large openings. These open-
ings can admit contaminants and allow RF emissions both in and out of the robot.
Be sure to check on the orientations that the tape drive can operate in. Some tape
drives may have more restrictions than others.

Printers

Many of the same issues relevant to HDs are also relevant to printers. The same issues
are listed here as a reminder. Some of them have been modified. If the robot must have
a printer onboard, consider all the same issues.

Vibration Printers not only may malfunction in the presence of vibration and
shock, but they also generate vibration and shock and distribute it throughout the
robot. These extra motions must be added to the environmental specifications that
the robot must withstand. Said another way, the printer’s motion makes the over-
all vibration and shock requirements tighter.
Shock
Temperature When evaluating the performance of the robot in temperature
extremes, do not forget the properties of both the ink and the paper. These
components must also pass muster. Don’t forget that paper is a major source
of dust.
Gyroscopic torque
Spin-up time Many printers take quite a while to warm up, longer than disks
do.
Longevity Printers are less reliable than HDs are. They also wear out faster.
Error rates
Removable media Printers are likely to leave huge openings in the sides of a
robot. These openings generate RF emissions and admit dust and dirt.
Connections and cable integrity

Displays

When considering large displays, such as LCDs for a robot design, we have to consider
multiple problems: