Well, we started getting it setup today. The programming team got everything installed on a couple of computers, taking 15-20 mins each, roughly. Not too bad for a full install.
On the electrical side of things, we started putting together all the wires and such we'll need for a full board to control last year's robot. We're going to make a whole new board so we can put them side by side for comparison pictures. One of the students started bending up a new board (Polycarb, should be the same dimensions as the old board). And we're setting up the layout to be very similar to the old board. Now, just waiting on a delivery from AndyMark with some new speed controllers (which we would have gotten for the new robot in January anyways, now we have them a little early!)...
We also found out that, in true Alpha Test fashion, they aren't quite ready for us to get Java code deployed - hopefully they'll get something to us in the next week or two so our programming team can get something working and deployed. In the mean time, we'll get everything onto the board for the MRI (Minnesota Regional Invitational) event next weekend! Who knows, I might even try to convince the programming team to do something in Labview before then
In the attached picture, you can see things starting to come together. The yellow/green pair wire is for CAN. You can see it going from the RoboRio (not actually attached there) to the PCM (Pneumatics Control Module), and then from there to the PDB (not actually attached here). Having the CAN on the PDB on that side of the board does make for a long wire run down there with this layout... something to keep in mind for our layout in 2015.
One thing that was insanely nice with our work today - the new attachment terminals that are being used! They're used for CAN, power to the PCM and VRM (Voltage Regulator Module), and all other connections into the PCM and VRM. No more messing around with a tiny screw driver, having to get it placed just right to open the terminal, then having to hold the screwdriver, device, AND wire at the same time to get everything in place. Now you simply push down on a button right next to the terminal and slide the wire in. It really couldn't be easier. Removing the wires is just as easy, too!