Chief Delphi - View Single Post - Cyber Blue and Team 221 LLC "Wild Swerve"

Chris Fultz · #3 25-09-2009, 23:56

Well, it has been several weeks since the initial post, so here is a status of our project.

We have built 4 of the swerve modules. We created detailed build instructions and have incorporated CAD models and part photos to help make things clear. We wnated to make the instructions "work" for someone who had never seen a finished module, so here was our approach.

1. Four students and two mentors assembled a swerve, using drawings and an assembled unit as a guide. We documented every step - the parts used, orientation, any specific details, and took pictures as we worked. We then took our notes and inventor files to create step by step instructions that included our text and exploded views of the assembly as it was put together.

2. Four other students and a mentor took the instructions and a box of parts, with no other visual aids, and assembled a swerve unit. We were trying to simulate a team that received the kit of parts and instructions and had not seen a finished unit. This group provided comments and feedback and asked questions as they went. We had a mentor from Group 1 there to oversee, but not help unless asked a specific question.

3. The instructions were updated and this process was completed with two more groups. Each time, none of the students or mentors building had been a part of a previous build group.

(Our groups were a mix of students from all of the sub-teams (Manufacturing, CAD, Communications, Web, Electronics) and with different levels of FRC experience. Mentors were from the various sub-teams also.)

4. We made notes of some suggestions for the design and/or fabrication of parts to simplify assembly or make an improvement based on our experience. These were put into a list and passed on to Anthony.

5. We have given the instructions to a few other non-234 mentors to review and provide feedback and suggestions.

6. After we receive feedback from these mentors and review any design changes with Anthony, we will 'publish' our instructions so that they can be included with the module kits when shipped.