These last 4 days have been quite productive for our team. Again focusing on our three main aspects of Programming , Designing , and Constructing were able to use the designs to construct the robot which will then allow us to focus our efforts on the programming. Programming team was able to slightly test their program on the final day as the completion of the robot came together. The movement and turning was definitely quicker as the new robot was based on a minimalist style which kept it light. The slightly completed arm also received a makeover with lighter pieces and a new gear ration aimed for torque. After testing it with the programming all that is left for the programming aspect is to work out as many kinks as possible. Snippet of Completed Program Designing has completed a lot within the four day gap. Managing to complete both the base with custom parts and the arm that was subjected to multiple changes all that is left is the ...
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A lot of things have happened to the robot over the Winter Internship. Since our last competition, we have encountered many design ideas. Over the week we have focused our efforts on 3 different aspects of the robot: Programming , Designing , and Constructing . Clean up of the photo with new claw On the programming side of the robot, a huge cleanup has occurred since the robot began to twitch and freeze in our last competition. By cleaning the robot's programming the way that the cortex processes information will be different. In addition to the main code, the Programming Team was able to code for the potentiometer which measures the angular position of the shaft that goes through it. This allows us to compensate for the arm falling down as well as programming for specific arm height. Finally, the programming team will finish off with programming the autonomous section of the robot as well as removing further problems in the code. Mapping of the controller Design ...
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.
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 ...