Prototype Robot Complete
 

Hey everyone!

Team 3313 Mechatronics has been hard at work the first 2 weeks of Build Season. We actually completed our prototype robot! We've even started to program it to do autonomous.

There are a few things we need to fix of course. But we are very proud of our progress so far. Competition Robot build will begin this week!

Please check out this YouTube playlist and see what we have been up to.

Any questions or comments, let us know! We are always looking for advice.

Also, while you're at it, check out our Twitter account @Team3313. We post daily with team updates and just random resources.

We sincerely hope everyone's build season is going well!

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Well done!
Simple effective robot that contribute to any alliance they are on. I can't even begin to talk about how much practice time you will have driving that thing!

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

In autonomous, if you are in front of your auto line, then you can only start with 2 frisbees.
Do you have any intent to add a floor load and/or higher hang?
Good luck this season.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Very cool! Definitely a solid contender. Now practice, tweak, break, fix and practice some more!

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

You are correct on the 2 frisbees. We misread G06. Luckily, we have awesome commentors on our YouTube videos! :) We will adjust to the back of the pyramid and have 3 frisbees.

We talked about a floor load or higher hang initially but could not come up with any ideas for either of those systems. We have to wait a couple day on our Competition Robot parts to arrive (Purchase Orders are slow) so we will continue to brain storm those ideas and hopefully add those on.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Looks like a solid contender in teleop! Congrats!

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

No, It looks like a solid contender in general. Something like this with three weeks of driver practice will be phenomenal. Keep up the good work!

Also, Try to get an auto that shoots for the 3 point goal but is sitting off to one side of the pyrimid. Freeing up the center of the pyrimid is very valuable because often your other alliance members will require the "easiest" place on the field to set up (the center of the pyrimid).

Looks great!
Regards, Bryan

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

This robot is pretty sick.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

I suppose what I mean is, nation-wide, it won't be the best autonomous or best climbing robot. But with enough effort/practice, the team could definitely be the best teleop disc scoring team. That's what will differentiate this team from the other '3 auto disc + low climb' teams, and give them an edge against a team that does more than they do in autonomous and/or climbing.

Plus they have plenty of time to add vision, range/orientation sensing, or whatever else will help them maximize their teleop disc scoring capabilities. If the prototype is kept fully intact, they'll have all the way up to their first competition to perfect this type of programming since the production bot is the one that's bagged.

I really think the GDC came up with a well-balanced game (on paper) this year.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

I am simultaneously disappointed and relieved that we aren't competing at the same regional.

Looks like we'll have to settle for that RCA practice event! Will you guys be joining us at our week zero event? I can't wait to see the finished bot!

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Great job!

I have two questions that I just want to make sure you have thought of (It seems you probably have)

How well does your feeder work when you have bumpers between you and the wall? You might need something to fill the gap.

What are your overall frame dimensions? I know it's a prototype, but it feels a tad big to me.

Keep up the awesome work! I wish we were already driving around.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Solid bot!

Now what are you planning to do?

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

The bucket hopper is deceptively good at indexing frisbees. Great creative thinking.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

I want to give a big thank you to 3313 for these videos they are putting out there. They're entertaining, they're informative, and it's inspiring to see a good working robot this early on (from students, not just Robot in 3 Days, which was also awesome). Your frisbee indexer has come up in our meetings and has a good chance of being shamelessly reapplied on our robot.

If 21 previous years are anything to go off of, that robot is probably a 1st round pick if not an alliance captain. And that's only after 2 weeks!

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Curious - that's not a Bimba cylinder I see. What make/model is it, and am I correct in seeing that it has multiple positions, not necessarily just two?
Brilliant idea on the 5gal bucket ramp and aluminum. What's the fastest speed you can load frisbees into your system and not drop any?
Also a pretty slick hanging mechanism - I like how it's integrated seamlessly into the rest of the robot.
Final question - are you still running 2wd? If so then might I suggest that you look into adding the other two CIMs?

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Thanks for your questions!!

We tested with bumpers. Video evidence is being uploaded now. Will PM you when finished.

You caught us!! (Are you a wizard?) Hahah. Anyway, our prototype robot is a tad wider than it should be (~ 2"). It will be rectified on our final robot. We just didn't worry when making the prototype. Thank you for making sure!!

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Yes, we were using a 3 way solenoid valve. Not sure on legality of that so we subbed out a 2 way solenoid valve and tried that. It still worked.

We have not tested the speed with which we can enter frisbees. Will test that tomorrow. Thanks for the advice!!

We have a Technical College across the parking lot from our high school (so lucky!!! We know...). That cylinder is from their program. We ordered a similar cylinder from Bimba for our final robot. It's a little skinny but with the same stroke.

We are running 2wd. Each Cimple Box has 2 CIMs in it (so 4 total on DT).

Thank you so much for your questions and advice!!

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

I just went to Lowe's and bought two 5 gallon buckets.

Steal from the best, invent the rest. :)

Thanks for the great idea! Good luck and huge congrats on getting a prototype robot done in such short time!

-Mike

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Love this! Can't wait to play with you guys.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

If the new cylinder doesn't have enough force you can easily add Constant Force Springs to assist it.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Thank you so much to everyone for all of the advice and comments!

We took them to heart and made a video with some of our new tests.
Prototype Shooter - Responding to Comments

We also recorded a FULL ROBOT DEMO (auto, teleop, and hang) with no editing so feel free to check that out too!!

Prototype Robot - Full Demo

We'll keep updating our YouTube and Blog throughout our Final Robot build as well.

Re: Prototype Robot Complete
 

Looking very good! Regarding the feeding slots, here is a close up picture at one of the kickoff events showing the feeding slot. I don't know if you can get a good pushoff of the disc in the slot or not. If possible, I would recommend testing with a slot closer to the real field just to double check the action of the disc with the slot and your robot.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimsrob...57632447784120