pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Typical!

Actually, I really would have expected nothing less from one of the best teams in FIRST.

254's 2007 robot played such a large part in the inspiration of our robot this season, and this machine shows exactly what the "masters" of the elevator lift are capable of...

I love it!

Good luck this weekend and season. Can't wait to see this machine in action.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Beautiful! The best roller claw I have seen this season!

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Fantastic machine.

Please tell me that your Minibot was Powder-coated Blue and Black as well.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Beautiful as always!
What is the top speed of the drive? Beginning of every year I think of how fast Cheesy Poofs will go and hope we get to 80% of that number.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Beautiful.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

I don't think you can powder coat any surface that makes contact with the pole or deployment mechanism since then it could be considered a 'functional' decoration. Powder coating changes the friction coefficients. That's not to say the necessary areas can't be taped off though.

I always love the simple looks of the poof bots. They always make the design process look easy, and it always seems like there's so much to learn just from 1 picture. I like how the panels are arranged, giving the robot some reflective flare while allowing the robot to still look like a robot.

2 minor questions:
Is that a CAT5 cable coming out the bottom of the lift? Is that for sensor runs?
Is that a pneumatic quick release for inter-match charging?

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Hella fatty wicked awesome. totally miley cyrus.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Bad. $@#$@#$@#.

Good luck guys.

-Brando

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

lol Cali kids.

Great elevator as usual. Like the name too!

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Looks oddly familiar...

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Robots in disguise. . . :rolleyes:

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Lovin' the Deception, Nick! ;)

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

I'm absolutely loving that cover for the wireless bridge.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

As a TF nerd, I am now a huge fan of your robot. That is very awesome!

Also, If I am not mistaken, the name indicates that your robot is female :P

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

They're all female... like cars, ships, and airplanes.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

You guys should name your minibot "Mini-Con."

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

The first thought that went through my head when I saw your robot was
"that can't be real time"

Anyways, can you detail a bit more about your drive train?

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Does this mean I can post pictures now? :D


For people asking about drive- it's fast. Really really fast. Scary fast sometimes, especially if you're the one driving (our robot has the same drive and sometimes it's practically uncontrollable. We're working on that....).

You guys did an amazing job this year. It was an honor and a privilege to see Slipstream come together and I am 10000x more proud of our robot because they share some components.

Also, thank god you didn't name it Ravage.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Beautiful, elegant bot. (Loving the decals)

Interested to see the deployment in action this weekend.

I'm excited for SVR in a few weeks--it's looking to be another great year for everyone.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Beat uber fast robot that can effectively hang tubes and is part of the team who mostly wins at SVR? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Absolutely beautiful.
I'm definitely loving it, brings back some awesome memories as well : D

Mike has definitely been here ; )

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Been waiting for this one since the end of the build season.
Very nice robot. Team 254 is one team that I personally really admire.
Good luck at your competitions.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Amazing robot, simple yet efficient design. Very fast. Great work. :)

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Lovin' the Decepticon Access Point.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

It looks like you guys are leaving the realm of robot mechanics limiting your speed and are now only held back by the skill of your driver. Scary!

As usual, very slick and beautiful machine work. Any estimate on how many pounds of aluminum chips you made this year? :) Looks from the pictures like your gripper rollers are powered from transmissions near the arm's hinge point... I'd love to see more detailed shots of the mechanism if you happen to have any. I can't get enough Cheesy Poof pictures!

Question for you and other roller claw teams out there... I've noticed a trend of pneumatic releases for roller claws among some of the 'elite' teams. Was there a design limitation with a straight roller claw approach that necessitated this feature? We didn't go with the roller route for our gripper mechanism and I'm curious.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Mike has most definitely inspired portions of our design. We like to copy the best and then put our own spin on it. Maybe someday we'll make a 233 arm.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Watch out its a transformer! It is going to be hanging tubes like it has human arms while still being veiled in its vehicle form.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Hmm while this machine looks really capable, what i have to question is if the tubes are overinflated as they were for a large portion of our regional, can your compact roller design still handle them? Just a question but good luck guys we hope to see you in st louis:)

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

Yes, the tubes in San Diego were somewhat overinflated as well and we were able to handle them with ease. Slipstream's manipulator has 5 degrees of freedom and the rollers actually separate to release tubes. If a tube is so overinflated that it cannot be compressed between the two rollers, the rollers are simply pushed aside and the tube can be grabbed.

Furthermore, we have programming and sensors to actively suck tubes in so that even if only part of a tube is in the grabber, it can still be held securely. When a tube is in the grabber, you can actually pull the robot around by the tube.

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

The cross pollenization between 254 and 233 is becoming more visable each year. I am always glad to learn from others and also share our ideas, concepts, and designs with others in the FIRST community. OH and that is one swee-ee-eet robot you guy have unvailed this year. Not that I would expect anything less than the best from the west.
Mike d

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream
 

It occurred to me that I was too distracted by my admiration to actually comment...

This is probably one of the most beautiful machines I've ever seen. Simple, elegant and extremely effective. You guys have raised the bar once again, and I know I'll be trying to play catch up next year.

Kudos to you guys on a beautiful machine, and on your big win last weekend!

-John