pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

OMG that's the scariest bot I've seen this year. The scoring speed is impressive.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Wow. A great machine. The speed is very impressive.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

WOW.. speechless that's an amazing robot!:yikes:

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

That thing holds a rediculous amount of orbit balls! Thumbs up to whoever came up with that concept, it's a very efficient solution. We figured out that you would have to move balls quickly to be a threat, but jeez...


Also, I'm envious of your sheet metal abilities. It makes for some beautiful robots.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

The transfer from the hopper the shooter is so epically awesome. I love it. It makes me want to powdercoat/anodize everything black... EVERYTHING.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Oh my, 148 doesn't seem to be sponsored by RackSolutions anymore!
:eek: ;)
177

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

That is an awesome robot!
It works really well!
Hope to see you guys at a competition!

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

The piggies are squealing

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

wow. quite impressive. i love the scoring/collection mechanism.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

that
was
awesome!!!!!

I call it now, they are on Einstein.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I'm absolutely speechless.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

AWESOME! thats all i can say about that:cool:

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

At 3:10 in the video, my jaw hit the floor.
If your drivers can handle this beast half as well as they did Tumbleweed, then look out.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I was wondering who was going to put a new 'spin' on the 2002 Baxter Bomb Squad combo harvest / score design.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

thats epic

I can't wait to see that thing on einstien

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I'm calling it right now, you're 3rd championship win.

AMAZING job!

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

what serves as the "door" at the bottom of the spiral hopper? a 3rd roller? or a pneumatic flap or what?

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I love the robot, but I keep hearing the name "Tumbleweed" in my mind. It's going to take some adjusting.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

A roller and some lexan keep the balls there until it's time to shoot.

This was labeled on the CAD as "the magic" and left TBD once the team could prototype a working solution.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Wow...:eek:

Thats all that needs to be said, awesome looking robot.

-Sam

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Looks alright, I guess.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Mark my words: very few robots whose ball output is one ball wide will do well this season.

This is one of the very few.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Awesome robot guys...you really made an epic machine

I love the practice bot too...watch out for these guys.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

what kind of an autonomous are you guys running?

PS. fantastic job.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

effing rocks.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

i'm shaking at the knees

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Looks very spiffy,



I can't wait for the Alumni under the hood tour at Championship. Best of luck at Dallas, and Houston.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Really impressive design. I wouldn't be surprised if you guys make it to Einstein again this year.

Re: pic: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Once again you've created an amazing robot - your sheet metal construction has been a great inspiration for other teams with similar sheet metal capabilities. I can't wait to see your robot compete this year. Good luck.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

pshhh.... nothing spectacular there.
haha. I kidd, I kidd.
Awesome Robot, I really can't wait to see it
in competition!

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Wow....

Seriously impressive.

Great design. Great styling.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

This machine is absolutely gorgeous! The lines are clean and elegant. Two regional wins and at least an Einstein appearance this year is my prediction. The state of Texas is in big trouble in 2009. The robot is very, very scary. I can't wait to see it in person.

Too bad we will not see it until the Championship.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I'm scared.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I'm so glad to see a truly awesome robot this year. This one does it all.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I hope to get a chance to see this robot in action in person!

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I am not sure how refs will count the balls going into the goals with power scorers like these...

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

...this is the only ship day video i've ever seen that made my mouth drop:eek: .

I'll defiantly have to check this one out at Atlanta

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Quick question: How do you remove balls when powered down?

That is an amazing robot.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

The spiral spins freely when powered down, if there were any balls left in it.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I'll just say the obvious: Your robot is one of the slickest posted here and probably the best thus far.

Amazing design, kudos and good luck at your competitions. All eyes are on you this year.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Best design I have seen so far. Very very elegant to say the least. I'd say the judges will award this robot all of the robot design awards at any regional it attends.
However, curious to see what 25, 217, 233 and 1114 has come up with also.

Lets just say if your mouth has dropped on this one, there are 2 more twinbots that will whop your jaws in a blink of an eye.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

What a machine!

Oh, the poor scorers in Texas! Did you guys set out with the goal of getting a <G14> in every match? :rolleyes:

And the scariest thing? The scene right at the end of the video when comp and practice bots are both shooting. Kinda makes those collaboration teasers change from a dream team to a nightmare for everyone else! :ahh:

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

can you please give our team the 2nd bot. We can just change the 1 to a 5 so it says 548 ?

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Very Scary JVN. Look forward to seeing it in action at Lone Star.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Last year, 148 was a threat. This year, they appear to be absolutely formidable. Knowing the rigorous training they go through, instinct tells me they'll be a nightmare to face on the field.

148 is the absolute collaboration between students and engineers, and as witnessed the results are astounding. Copioli described it as a 'clean and elegant' machine a few posts up, and even that flattering description barely does this justice. Let me add 'graceful' and 'polished' to the long list of adjectives we're throwing out.

Just like Mr. Carnevale, I also can't wait for the alumni tour. And you kids know I'll be grilling you, so get ready. I'll be in Dallas, and I'm bringing my popcorn.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

that bot is amazing.:eek:

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Folks will be able to hear the crowds in Texas all the way to - mm - Canada. :)

Tornado is a good name, very good name. Terrifying Tornado would be accurate.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Wow! Very impressive. Congratulations 148 on what looks to be a great robot. Good Luck!

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Very very impressive job, guys. This thing is awesome. I especially loved the camera-in-the-ball shot.

Keep inspiring.

Andy B.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

English majors... :rolleyes: ;)


What Amanda is trying to say is Team 148 is awesome =D and makes really cool robots...

Great video guys... showcases the bot beautifully... it's so gorgeous... yet intimidating :D

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

The only thing I could muster after seeing that video was "...whoa." :eek:

Good luck you guys! (pfffft like you need it :))

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Robot looks great guys. See you in Atlanta!

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

About 4 o'clock this morning, my son was looking at robot videos. I kept hearing him say: "That is terrifying." I was going to ask him what he was talking about. I think I know...

Amazing job, John, et. al.

See you in Atlanta!!!

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

impressive!!

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

That's a real beautiful design, we looked at something similar but scrapped it when we decided against a screw.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

wow. just wow.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Tornado is fast and effective! I expect nothing less from an amazing team!

This year, both the Texas Regionals have a large number of rookies. Many of these rookies barely have a legal robot let alone a working autonomous. I hope the veteran Texas teams spend more time helping rookies than working on their practice bot.

Two basic rookies without autonomous and an amazing 148 robot still stand a chance of losing a match.

How does 148 plan on moving the empty cell to the fueling station ?

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

from the looks of it they wont have any empty cells left!!! :p

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Holy smokes! :ahh:
And I thought Oklahoma had the scariest tornado's!
Boy was I wrong...

Amazing job RoboWranglers!
I can't wait to see video of this thing competing on TBA.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Great Machine!!! I love everything about this robot from the color scheme to the insane fire rate. Add in one of FIRST's best drivers, and you have a recipe for success. I'm expecting big things from 148 this year.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Wow seriously awesome machine! I still don't get how some of you teams have time to build such amazing robots and on top of that build a complete 2nd one. Thoroughly impressed!

Also love the ball cam!

Antoine
Mentor
Team 2609 - BeaverworX

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

If I was 148, I wouldn't care, because I'd plan on playing every match without any super cells.

This bot is awesome. When John first showed us their prototypes and then their completed robot a few weeks ago we knew it was going to be one of the top few bots out there.

Very few teams, dumpers or shooters will be able to keep pace with this machine.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

That is definately a champion-potential robot!!!

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Knowing 148, I'm sure they'll be the first team seeking out and offering help to teams needing assistance on Thursday morning of their events. They have a large and dedicated group of students who will be an asset to any rookie who needs their help. After working with their pit crew on Einstein last year, we saw how amazing they are in action.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Our driver this season is Mr. Parker Francis, he's the same young man who limped our 3-legged-dog through last year. I think everyone on 148 feels a lot better about our season knowing that Parker is "at the sticks".

Joining him as gunner will be Ms. Keri Porter, though she is only a freshman we are expecting great things... Anyone who knows me knows how difficult it is to earn a driver spot. To earn a spot as a freshman is unheard of.

Our pit crew is uncharacteristically large this year. Not only did we have an abnormally high number of students earn spots, but we also anticipated the need of other teams. I imagine it will not be an uncommon sight to see Robowrangler Pit Crew members assisting other teams in Dallas, Houston, & Atlanta.

In the robot. How do you plan on moving it? ;)

-John

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

The robot looks great! I am definitely a fan of the red and black ;) I did, however, like the robot much better the last time I saw videos of it. It’s borderline excessive now. Who needs to unload their hopper so fast, anyway? :p

I'll enjoy watching this bot in Einstein. Hopefully on the same side of the field this time. (err, with the same color trailer, I mean)

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Wow, Nice robot and I love the integration of the helix hopper to the dumper. Very Nice Job, just a random question, how many balls are gonna be available to each team? 10.20.30.40?

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Jaw still on desk after hitting replay button for the tenth time!!! Sweet bot, great design guys. I would say good luck , but you will make your own luck with that beast. Also great video, and awsome song choice.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

20.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Up to 7 in the robot, 13 or more with the PS. Until the match starts, that is.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Each robot on both sides gets 20 moon rocks, with 7 moonrocks being available to place them in or on their bots at the start of each game. That is gonna be alot of balls in play right off the bat.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL TEAMS THIS YEAR.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

i think i just had an brain aneurysm:ahh:

i cant think of anything to say really, to much awsomeness-esness in one robot for my brain to handle

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I'm assuming you've read the rules and are asking more about why we have the large capacity...
Simple: We wanted to be able to fill a goal in one shot.

We're hoping our alliance partners will generously allow us to use some of their 40, and we're hoping our opponents will be generous enough to throw a few on the floor for us, as you can see gobbling them up isn't an issue for TORNADO.

Or were you asking something else?

-John

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Crap....we were supposed to do that again this year?

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

I've definitely loved working on this robot. She's a work of art from an engineering standpoint. It's hard on us when we have to crate the lovely powder coated robot. Bare sheet-metal just isn't as enticing. Competition won't come fast enough. I can't wait to see what else is out there. The diversity of creative minds within FIRST is a great part of the competition.

Oh, and before I get asked again...No, this is not as hard to drive as Tumbleweed. Three wheeled swerves are unforgiving. :]

-Parker

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Tell John to work harder next year so you have time to powdercoat the practice bot, too. Problem solved! :D

Edit: That is not to say John does all the work... clearly not. I just imagine he is the bottleneck. :ahh:

I kid, I kid...

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Pretty much... he's either sitting at his desk or shooting kids with nerf guns...:eek:


...in a nurturing and supportive way... ;)


I kid as well...

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

What's John's nerf gun of choice? I'm betting it's a Maverick.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

nope... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6D-egwfm3E

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Sorry John, that is exactly what i was asking. Yes I did read the rules. Donating is great. I was just wondering how many balls are really going to be available to store for a robot? Maybe this topic should be a different thread. :D

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

:eek:
Honestly, I think I'm more impressed with John's titan mod than their robot. That kind of range and velocity with a Nerf gun is insane.

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Happy Birthday, John.

As Bernie Mac once said, "Listen up, America!" This robot and its Hoover-like floor-gathering ilk are the poster children for the conservation and shrewd deployment of orbit ball "ammunition" by opposing payload specialists everywhere. It's bots like these that make our team investigate how to further improve our shooting percentage, too. Any ball missed during a power dump is one more potential bullet in the chamber for someone who ain't us. :)

Don't be afraid to try and deny access to the balls even after they've hit the floor, either. At least scatter 'em around a little to make drivers like Parker work for it. Better yet, send them all toward your PS zone corners. ;)

And yes, that stuff probably could be in another thread, so to get back on track - it looks like a CIM powers your helix - what gearing did you use to power the helix drive, and what material was used for the central spire?

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Parker's not scared of work...

The spinner rotates at about 450 RPM. This speed was unscientifically determined during our prototyping.

The spinner is a 9-sided (yep, couldn't resist) drum made of 3 pieces of 063 Lexan. Onto that lexan is riveted some brush assemblies.

We originally had Lexan fingers sticking off, but during our 3 weeks of testing and tuning we learned that sometimes the fingers can tangle with these silly game objects. We figured, "even if it jams 1 time in 1000, why risk it?" and went to brushes.

Any other questions?
-John

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

With a robot as well. :cool:

My question about the empty cell should have been more specific.
Does your robot collect the empty cell similar to moonrock or does it have a different dumping strategy?

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

Luckily for 148 "Tornado" turned out to be pretty much bullet-proof all weekend. I think the only maintenance our pit crew really did was change the battery and grease the gearboxes. This means our pit crew didn't have a whole lot to do, right?

Wrong. I'm extremely proud of the fact that our students were all out working their butts off helping other teams at the Dallas event. I know they all slept soundly on Saturday night.

I know we were not the only team doing this. There was plenty of help to go around.

Andrew, looks like your hopes came true.

-John

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

woooow amazing bot!!!

Re: pic/video: Team 148 - Robowranglers 2009 - TORNADO
 

That's great to hear ! I watched a webcast of Dallas and I was impressed at the quality of the rookies and veterans. The Dallas final matches were fantastic ! Tornado proved to be the difference maker by one or two points in each match.

I hope someone archived the finals !