VEXpro Build Blitz
 

2 FRC Robots to play the 2014 FRC game in 72 hours?! The entire process documented online and streamed live to the world?! It’s VEXpro Build Blitz!

Longtime FRC mentors and professional engineers Paul Copioli and John V-Neun will each be leading their own dream teams of FRC mentors and students when they compress the 6-week FRC Build Season into 72 hours.

The teams will watch FRC Kickoff and then commence the Build Blitz at 12p Central on Saturday January 4th. Follow all of the action live at BuildBlitz.com with live video streams, commentary, blog updates and more.

Also get updates on Facebook and Twitter:
-Updates on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BuildBlitz
-Updates on Twitter: @BuildBlitz, @TeamCopioli, @TeamJVN

We'll be updating this post and the site constantly as we get ready to go. Let us know if there is anything you want to see or have any questions for us.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

I am looking forward to this. The teams are awesome. Will you be sharing the code developed during this?

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

The site has been updated recently with much more content, including a schedule and information on judging, one of the main things the community has been curious about.

One of the goals of Build Blitz is a heavy emphasis on process and documentation for teams to use as a resource after the fact. Code will probably fall under that umbrella - however, it's worth noting that the teams will both be using the VEX Cortex Microcontroller instead of the FRC control system. See Team JVN's first blog post for more details on this (and a few other) decisions.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

I would like an in-depth breakdown of the game itself from their perspective more so than any physical robot. I would like what scores they think will be needed to win a match. Design specific strategies as well. A couple pages of their infinite wisdom on this would be very valuable!!

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Just to make sure that everyone is on the same page, is the schedule posted using CST or EST?

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Good call - CST. Website has been updated accordingly.

You're telling me there's more than one time zone other than Texas Time (TM)?

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Thanks for the update Grant! Looking forward to hearing your sideline reports.

Since Texas is its own country, that does make sense.... :yikes:

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

I'm super pumped about seeing what these two amazing teams come up with. The high quality production so far has been a huge plus, and could even lay the grounds for this becoming something that people outside of FIRST follow.

Build Blitz: Putting the PRO back into VEX PRO.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Okay... that's pretty awesome. No... it's totally awesome.

Jason

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

And we're live at www.buildblitz.com!

The Team JVN and Team Copioli streams will stay focused on their teams 24/7 and the main Build Blitz live stream will switch between them and feature the live look-ins and Q&As and other highlight videos throughout the Build Blitz.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Really interesting discussions so far, but its been very hard to hear most of the people talk, especially on the JVN feed. The Copiloli feed has been easier to listen to (small room), but can't really hear much on the JVN feed.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

We've tried to get the audio issues better on all feeds. Let us know if it still an issue for you.

Thanks!

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

As you know Mike and I are here in Texas to cover this event for the FRC community. Our job is to bring as much of the action to you as possible. If you want to pose a question to any of the team members Mike and I will be able to ask it for you during the LIVE segments we're doing throughout the event. There's several ways for you to get your questions to us.

Twitter:
Tweet @buildblitz or use #buildblitz and include your question

Facebook:
Write your question on the Build Blitz wall or comment on the post asking for questions. https://www.facebook.com/BuildBlitz

Or post them right here!

We'll try to get through some of the questions LIVE or we'll tweet or respond back as best we can.

67 hours left!

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Our first Live Look-In is live now on the Build Blitz live stream - moved to the top at www.buildblitz.com

Enjoy!

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Live Look-in #1 is posted here if you missed it!

http://new.livestream.com/accounts/6...ideos/38825228

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Our first scheduled Q&A has been postponed while we worth through some technical issues on the main Build Blitz feed. The individual team feeds are still up.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

We're back at it this morning with both teams' feeds live along with the main mix.

Day 1 Recap Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQTQfkYvBCo

Day 1 Q&A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttvPKUlVfzo

Live streams and constantly updating content available at www.buildblitz.com

50.5 hours to go and counting!

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Live look-in #2 is on now and going in depth with some decisions from overnight.

Check it out on the main mix at www.buildblitz.com

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

There is a shot of Paul and Karthik doing some hard core math on a white board. Can we get a description of what they were calculating?

On the JVN side there was CAD of a 72 tooth gear, something VEXpro does not make. Will this appear as a nse item, or is there a new base design?

Thanks

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

VEXPro certainly does offer this gear.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

This is what I was talking about...

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Is their any chance that you guys will release your cads to the public of FRC designs?:D

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Yes, we'll be releasing all CAD files once they're complete.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Oh wise one, whence is this 'complete CAD' of which you speak? ;)

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

is the sound on copioli stream not working?

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

The camera looking into the TeamCopioli CAD room is actually in the room next door because I refuse to turn off LL Cool J Radio on Pandora so the sound won't pick it up.

Regarding the drawings and CAD, the plan for TeamCopioli is to release all of the 3D CAD files and all of the drawings that we created for the build before the end of the day on Tuesday.

Paul

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

I'm only familiar with "Here's most of the CAD, the rest I got lazy and didn't add in, but you get the idea!"

:)

Very cool stuff! Watching the feeds for all these 3 day builds has been fun, can't wait to see the final results!

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

"Complete" is a very relative term. (Anyone who has ever seen the 1114 CAD models know exactly what I mean.)

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Apologies if this was mentioned in the streams/chats/etc, I've only had time to tune in sporadically, and can't currently since I'm at work (hush, nobody tell my boss I'm on CD righ tnow). :rolleyes:

Quick question for team JVN (I have no twitter, which seems to be the preferred contact method?). Has the thought of the "lay-up"/easily caught shot been completely abandoned? I remember you were able to adjust the trajectory of your shot on your prototype by changing how the ball was held, the lever's initial point, and the release point. Did you ever try deflecting a (close to) vertical shot? Think 67 in 2006. It's likely far too late to add one to the final Build Blitz bot at this point, but it would be wonderful to see the prototype try a shot like this.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

We're back at it. Today's first look-in is live on the main mix at www.buildblitz.com

Sean,
I'll have Grant get back to you.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Just spoke with JVN! Here's what he says.

No, we haven't completely abandoned it. We're going to try to dial in the sweet spot first. If we have the time, we're going to try to add that in and tune it - and if all else fails, we're going to look to fall back on that as well.

There are several of us here at BuildBlitz monitoring ChiefDelphi, so if you don't have a twitter (Like Sean), feel free to ask questions here! The social media team or the sideline reporters will try to address them quickly.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Happy Monday afternoon. We have less than 24 hours to go!

Our afternoon look in is live now on the main mix at www.buildblitz.com - featuring live robot action!

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

We're in the final hours!

Our last live look-in before the robots are judged and unveiled is going up soon at www.buildblitz.com

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Time's up!

Both teams are unveiling their robots now live at www.buildblitz.com

We'll follow up with the official unveiling and recap videos as well.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Thanks to those who tuned in - everyone here at VEXpro had a blast with the Build Blitz, and hope that you enjoyed it as well!

Final CAD files for both teams are now available on the Build Blitz site - http://www.buildblitz.com/final-cad-files/

If you have any further questions, feel free to post in this thread or tweet to @BuildBlitz.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

I actually started laughing when I saw the cadded representation of a wrench on jvn's robot. Lots of interesting details in here.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

The 2014 Drive in a Day is now available!

http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/st...-in-a-day.html

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

When I look at the Team Copioli CAD files I get a bit confused. The middle pulley that drives two belts out of the gear box is a 15mm Timing Pulley and the outer pulleys for the wheels are 9mm Timing Pulleys. There aren't any belts in the CAD design but I am assuming they used the 9mm VEX Timing Belts. Are they using a different belt/pulley or how does this work?

Are you going to release instructions for gearbox mounting and other VersaChassis instructions?

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

They are probably doing this: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...71&postcount=9

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

I'm looking at the CAD files for the team JVN robot, and I can't seem to figure out what is providing the shooting force for their catapult (Springs? Surgical tubing?). Is there something I'm missing?

I'm also curious what reductions were used on the planetary gearboxes on the shooter retraction mechanism and the collector, as well as what motors are attached to them.

EDIT:
Ok, so I figured out the answer to most of those questions (I finally found the robot reveal video on YouTube), I am however still curious as to what kind of surgical tubing you guys used for the shooter, and what the reduction is on the planetary used on the collector.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

they shoot with surgical tubing, and the reduction for the choo choo is 300:1 i believe

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

Mcmaster Black Latex Tubing, 1/2" OD x .25" ID I believe. Also, 9:1 reduction for the pickup with a MiniCIM driving it.

Re: VEXpro Build Blitz
 

This stuff?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/120/127/=q9gqwz

EDIT: Nevermind, saw the response in the other thread, thanks. :)