After multiple sessions designing the launcher, Johnny, Daniel, and Marco have finally created one of the major components of the first vex robot. After visiting their first robotics competition in Flushing Queens, new design concepts along with some minor constraints were obtained. The wheels driving the system have to have at least four wheels on each side in order to make official contact with the ball. Being that the ball is about 3-4 inches in diameter, the wheels are positioned perpendicular to the platform on each side; allowing the ball to make 45% more contact than conventional methods. In terms of other methods, Daniel has taken his own initiative and developed a crossbow-like launching system. Though it is a prototype for the final robot, it is deemed quite innovative according to his other teammates.
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During the week, members of the Stem Club Robotics Division reflected on the various methods used by other teams during the "Nothing But Net" competition. Of the proposed methods, the sling shot like method is what is currently under evaluation. As with many other alternatives, this method has its set of drawbacks, all of which were being discussed. Of the problems discussed was the method of reloading. The solutions proposed were the use of cams, a rack and pinion system utilizing a gear with a portion of it smoothed out, and a form of a winch and pull system. Progress has been slow due to the lack of proper parts, however, confirmation of the orders being placed has brought with it renewed determination in the Robotics Club.
Today, the prototype launcher got remade after the informative trip on Friday. We're using different wheels, modified the gears, and adjusted the metal parts. Another prototype launcher was made. I t give s off a crossbow feel, which is very neat. This one seems better than the previous. The crossbow is light a nd requires less parts.
On February 12, a small group went to the VEX robotics competition at Vaughn College in Queens, NY. It was a very informative trip. We gathered many ideas from the robots that were participating in this competition, received a robot inspection checklist that wi ll help us on what we can and cannot do, and met people that were open to help us. The matches were short, but interesting to observe. There were a lot of creativity among the robot s t hat inspired us on what we can apply to our robot. We're glad that we were able to spectate this competition! It was a good experience for us.
Take a look at the progress we've made on our first robot. We have the basics down, including the drivetrain, ball collector, the feeder to get the balls up to the launcher, and are moving forward from here. We're waiting for more parts that have yet to arrive, but we've used what we could to build a prototype launcher. We cannot exactly experiment on the actual robot yet because we are not at the point of cutting parts (which would be needed to mount it), but the un-attached launcher did well on its own, able to launch the balls reliably, although not at as high a velocity as we would like. Currently, we're using balls that are more stiff than the actual competition balls, but with a similar size to keep our dimensions close what they'll need to be. It's possible that it'll deliver different results with the actual balls, but we'll only know when everything we need will arrive. Also, it has been confirmed that we'll be able to spectate the
Update for 2016 Much has happened since our last blog post in August. We have a number of new faces on the team, a Vex robot that is getting closer and closer to throwing balls into a net, and lots of ambitious goals we're working towards. The primary being an aim to participate in a Vex Nothing But Net competition this summer for which we will need to complete our current robot, build another, practice using them with a mock field, and then move on wards towards victory! Or just completing a competition with the robots intact. Stop back sometime to see the current group working on Vex, 3D Printing, RobotC, and lots of other fun stuff. Stop by on Monday mornings (10-12) and Wednesday (12-3) to see roboticists in the wild and hear about what we're up to in person. Live long and prosper inquisitive visitor, hope to see you back in this corner of the web! Cheers! BCC Robotics Team