Throughout the second week of the build season, we have been hard at work. We started the week by assembling the eight mecanum wheels for the drivetrain, which proved harder than it sounds because of the instruction book that was more like a cuneiform (the earliest picture-written language) script than directions.
Even with mentors that have years of experience, we found three different ways to mess up the wheels. First, we assumed the wheels did not need the bearing-like cylinders to stabilize them. Second, we left out the washers, which the instructions assumed you would put on. And third, we found out that the outer wheel plate had to face stickers in (that last was not in the cryptic instructions anywhere). Though difficult, this taught us two lessons. First, always analyze (not look at) the instructions then think through what you are about to do. Second, if at first you don’t succeed, do what was just said then try again. In addition to building (and rebuilding) those, we worked on prototyping the elevator’s lifting mechanism and the robot’s collector. We also have an almost complete CAD model of the robot. In addition to that, we got to disassemble, then reassemble the gear boxes where we learned to love e-clips for how useful they are, but hate putting them on and taking them off. With all of this done, it put us in a good position to start the next week. We have almost finished the prototyping and will start on the robot’s frame on Sunday.
A buzz of excitement ran through the room where students, alumni, and mentors stood clustered near the TV, eagerly awaiting an impending webcast from FIRST. After several freezes with the live feed and the long introduction that kept us in suspense, the 2015 challenge was announced: Recycle Rush.
Recycle Rush is a game where two teams composed of three robots work to stack totes on scoring platforms, which are a couple inches off the ground. For extra points, teams may place recycling bins on top of these stacks, earning even more points if a pool noodle is in or on the bin. During the autonomous period, robots are preprogrammed to score by moving bins and recycling bins into the auto zone. If the totes are stacked, extra points are scored. In the teleop period, robots are controlled by human drivers as they attempt to make up to 6-tote high stacks. Unlike previous games, this game has a step in the middle that divides the field in half, not allowing alliances to play defense against each other.
After the challenge was announced, our team quickly broke off into smaller subgroups and started reading the game manual and brainstorming strategies and robot designs. A little while later, we all got together and presented our ideas. Working cohesively, our team came up with a strategy and general robot design.
Soon after coming back from THOR 2014 as finalists, we only had about a month to modify our robots Benjy, Trillian, and Zaphod for the Cary Christmas Parade. Benjy wasn’t behaving, Zaphod’s code had to be fully rewritten, and Trillian had to be completely reassembled, since she was used at THOR by Cortech, a new FRC team that we recently helped start. Not only did we have to rework our robots, but we also had to build a parade float that promoted both our team and the FIRST program from scratch.
At the parade, we had a few team members driving the robots from the back of a pickup truck and on the float. However, every team member was able to participate in the parade. Some interacted with the robots on the ground while others interacted with the audience by handing out candy and flyers with information about the FIRST program. Although the speed of the parade caught all of us off guard, we were able to quickly adjust and continue entertaining the crowd. The families who attended the parade were fascinated with all of our robots and many wanted to join in on the fun.
Overall, the parade was an incredible experience for the team, and we thoroughly enjoyed being able to spread the knowledge of the FIRST program to the parade onlookers.
Prototypes are a huge part of our build season; through the rapid creation of different proof-of-concept prototypes, we are able to more effectively decide on a final design. This year, we tried three different materials to create prototype shooters: pneumatics, surgical tubing, and a simple, motor-driven catapult.
It’s the best six weeks of the year again! During the FIRST Robotics Competition kickoff, the 2014 challenge, Aerial Assist, was reveled. This year, teams will be working with other teams to carry 24-inch game balls down the field, over a truss, and into a goal.
Recent Comments