pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

I neglected to mention that the robot's name is SPARDIS (Scoring Points At Relative Dimensions In Space).

More pictures from the final weekend of build can be found here.

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

+1 Doctor Who

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

There is a bit of a backstory to this robot.

After the 2010 season, we took a step back and evaluated it as a whole and looked at our mistakes. We discovered that last year we tried to do too much, and ultimately exhausted our design and machining resources to the point of actually never finishing our 2010 robot.

So, this year we set out with a goal in mind: Build the absolute simplest robot possible to play the 2011 game.

This is our simplest creation to date.

Also, even with our current minibot deployment mechanism, we're 15 lbs underweight.

-Nick

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

The lightening in the arm support structure is pretty cool. Love the colors too.

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

Thank you. One of our mentors actually made punches for this, and we actually flange the edges of the lightening holes out. This makes the individual pieces much much stronger.

-Nick

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

I have to say I'm a fan of the little light up display at the top of the arm. Is this purely decorative, or designed to tell the Feeder what tube to give you?

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

Both.

-Nick

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

Sounds eerily familiar.

It's a $@#$@#$@#$@# shame we won't be doing any double slamma jammas this year.

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

@ chris WHATT!!!!!
The robot looks really cool +1 also on the DR.Who reference.

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

Nick,

You will find that you will never stray away from this strategy ever again ... I think you will be very happy with your decision.

Good luck this year.

Paul

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

Thank you Paul, we're already reaping the benefits of a ridiculously simple robot.

Good luck to you this year as well.

-Nick

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

Nick, Pat, 1503, the robot looks excellent.

Any Plans to add a floor pickup mechanism?

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

I think they will wait to see what the best strategy out on the field will be before they add anything. I have a feeling the smart teams will throw tubes as little often as possible.

Looks and works like a beast guys. Best of luck on the field this year, Nick. Show folks why you're one of the best drivers in frc.

Re: pic: Spartonics 1503 - 2011
 

Exactly. We'll reevaluate after our first regional.

-Nick