Saturday, January 31, 2009
January 28, 2009
We submitted a new hopper design today. Otherwise, the robot is progressing on schedule.
January, 27 2009
Today we spilt into groups to all work on different aspects of the robot. We cut and measured the supports for the robot. Programmers furthered their work on debugging the software. We also came up with a parallel design for mounting the drum. This now means we have a back up design. Yay!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Building Upwards
January 25, 2009
Today we fixed the chassis and updated our website. We also worked on programming the robot (luc-E). We worked on autonomous today.
Today we fixed the chassis and updated our website. We also worked on programming the robot (luc-E). We worked on autonomous today.
January 24, 2009
Today we decided to split up into groups to all work on different parts for the robot. We managed to complete the final design for the chute. We also finished the prototype for the chute so now we can get the statistics for how far it will launch a ball. The average distance was 11.7 inches. The flag design was completed and we can not wait until we get to see it printed on fabric!
Our flag design!
Our flag design!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Triumphant Tuesday
Today we continued the programming, working on the electronic board and working on the chute.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
One Step Closer
One Step Closer to Success!
January 11, 2009
Today some of the robotics team worked on the chassis; the dimensions weren't right so the group took it apart and rearranged it. In addition, we talked about the programming behavior and action:
as well as other variables and how to control them.
January 13, 2009
Today we broke into a programming group, chassis group, and trailer group, continuing to assemble everything. The chassis group tried to attach the chains and worked with practice chains.
January 14, 2009
At our lunch meeting we voted on names for the robot. Here are some the creative names:
-colbot deux-steve in space
-lunatic
-space waste
-apocalypse tank
-ragna moon rock
-lucy
The tentative winner was Lucy. However, since not everyone came to the meeting, some students did not like this name. Therefore, we re-voted at the build sessions, modifying Lucy to Luc-E, and adding to the list: Moon Rock me Amadeus, Monte, and R.L.A. The winner again was Luc-E!
At the build session, we also worked on finishing the chain, programming, and protyping our chute design.
On the 18th, we discussed possible chute designs:
Design 1:
simple chute with gate
Design 2: chute with gate, then piston that raises the base of the hopper to roll the balls into the chute
Design 3: chute with two gates, drum with conveyer belt
January 11, 2009
Today some of the robotics team worked on the chassis; the dimensions weren't right so the group took it apart and rearranged it. In addition, we talked about the programming behavior and action:
| Behavior | Action |
| Turn right | Right wheels back, left wheels forward |
| Move forward | All wheels forward |
| Stop | Al wheels slow to stop in 5 seconds |
| Shoot all balls | Gate open |
| Shoot one ball | Gate open, wait, gate close |
| Move backward | All wheels gradually rotate back |
| Pivot turn right | Right wheel stop, left wheel forward |
| Save power | Reload motors A and B off, camera off, fire wheel off |
| reload | Reload motors A and B on |
| Avoid (touch sensor on) | Wheels stop, reverse, stop, turn, stop, forward |
January 13, 2009
Today we broke into a programming group, chassis group, and trailer group, continuing to assemble everything. The chassis group tried to attach the chains and worked with practice chains.
January 14, 2009
At our lunch meeting we voted on names for the robot. Here are some the creative names:
-colbot deux-steve in space
-lunatic
-space waste
-apocalypse tank
-ragna moon rock
-lucy
The tentative winner was Lucy. However, since not everyone came to the meeting, some students did not like this name. Therefore, we re-voted at the build sessions, modifying Lucy to Luc-E, and adding to the list: Moon Rock me Amadeus, Monte, and R.L.A. The winner again was Luc-E!
At the build session, we also worked on finishing the chain, programming, and protyping our chute design.
On the 18th, we discussed possible chute designs:
Design 1:
simple chute with gate
Design 2: chute with gate, then piston that raises the base of the hopper to roll the balls into the chute
Design 3: chute with two gates, drum with conveyer belt
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Setting the Wheels in Motion
We have set the wheels in motion to create a succesful robot. At the kickoff meeting at Northrop Grumman, on January 3rd, the team was eager to learn about the setup of the game and rules and restrictions for the robot. The buzz of excitement was palpable as we headed back to ESHS to discuss what we heard at the meeting and highlight the important aspects.
The next day, 1/4/09 we picked the materials for the trailer from Home Depot, worked on the trailer, strategized, threw around ideas while keeping in mind four necessary robot functions:
-4 wheel drive
-low center of gravity
-ability to score multible balls at once
-ability to move in all directions
Based on different strategies, we came up with two designs.
Possible Design 1: Chute
Objective: The chute will release balls two at time, based on the strategy to have mulitple opportunites to shoot balls into the opposing team's trailer.
Possible Design 2: Dump
Objective: The dump is a simpler design than the chute, and is based on the strategy to have one opportunity to dump all of the balls at once, seizing one open opportunity to score a lot of points.
On 1/6/09, we separated into two groups: one for the trailer, and one for the design. The trailer group worked on the plates of the trailer and the design group worked on the feasibilty of our designs while finalizing the dimensions of the drawings.
1/7/09: We decided no matter what, we would pick a design today, so we can start builiding on Saturday. As a group, we weighed the pros and the cons of each design and by the end of the meeting, chose a design.
and the winner is.....
THE CHUTE!
1/10/09 Commencing the Construction
Now that we have decided on a design, we worked on the chassis, and continued working on the trailer.
For the trailer,
We took the wood outside and began drilling at the specified markings to make holes in the trailer. We also used a saw to create a hole in the center. The circle did not come out as round as we had hoped but, like eagles, we soar above our problems and find ways to rectify them. As a result, to smooth out the edges, we used a metal file then put masking tape over the inner circle. The black pipe still did not fit as snugly as we had hoped, but it was definitely an improvement and the spaces were so small that we could simply wedge pieces of foam or a similar material to fill them.
The next day, 1/4/09 we picked the materials for the trailer from Home Depot, worked on the trailer, strategized, threw around ideas while keeping in mind four necessary robot functions:
-4 wheel drive
-low center of gravity
-ability to score multible balls at once
-ability to move in all directions
Based on different strategies, we came up with two designs.
Possible Design 1: Chute
Objective: The chute will release balls two at time, based on the strategy to have mulitple opportunites to shoot balls into the opposing team's trailer.
Possible Design 2: Dump
Objective: The dump is a simpler design than the chute, and is based on the strategy to have one opportunity to dump all of the balls at once, seizing one open opportunity to score a lot of points.
On 1/6/09, we separated into two groups: one for the trailer, and one for the design. The trailer group worked on the plates of the trailer and the design group worked on the feasibilty of our designs while finalizing the dimensions of the drawings.
1/7/09: We decided no matter what, we would pick a design today, so we can start builiding on Saturday. As a group, we weighed the pros and the cons of each design and by the end of the meeting, chose a design.
and the winner is.....
THE CHUTE!
1/10/09 Commencing the Construction
Now that we have decided on a design, we worked on the chassis, and continued working on the trailer.
For the trailer,
We took the wood outside and began drilling at the specified markings to make holes in the trailer. We also used a saw to create a hole in the center. The circle did not come out as round as we had hoped but, like eagles, we soar above our problems and find ways to rectify them. As a result, to smooth out the edges, we used a metal file then put masking tape over the inner circle. The black pipe still did not fit as snugly as we had hoped, but it was definitely an improvement and the spaces were so small that we could simply wedge pieces of foam or a similar material to fill them.
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