[Team 2135] Robot's First Test Run

[flomotan]

Team 2135's first test run of the robot so far:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjaO5it2s-s

[Matt Gardner]

Nice job. Lol, I like how you set up a course for your first run. One of the first things we did was hook up the compressor and cable tie the suction cup to the front of the bot, then dragged garbage cans around our front foyer, dragging stuff around with that suction is great fun, try it sometime...Oh, it's even more fun during grade 8 orientation night when the school is full of new recruits

[seanl]

are you coming to the LA regional i wanna see your robot in action

[flomotan]

Hi seanl,

Sorry, but we are going to the Silicon Valley Regional.

[Sgraff_SRHS06]

Nice job so far! Ditto on the coursework and how far you got on your robot! You were a lot farther along than we (as in the Powerhawks) were our rookie year. We barely had a working driving system and couldn't do any kind of a scrimmage (that with a custom drive). I'm really glad that your drivers are getting a chance to drive the robot and get a feel for it this early. But I have a few questions?

1) Have you been able to rig an autonomous course and get your CMU Camera to work?

2) Where are you on mechanism development?

3) How many people have driven the robot or are familiar with the control systems? I'm asking because you may need to count on multiple sets of drivers/operators throughout the course of the Regional. Silicon Valley is going to be tough this year (and that's due to Gompei (190) coming down more than the Poofs or any other California team; read their awards, learn from them, and try to beat them at their own game on the field and work with them off (and on should you be on their alliance)). You're going to want to have 2 or 3 drive teams and a coach familiar with everyone. By drive teams, I mean driver and operator. Make sure all possible drivers and operators are chill with each other and communicate well. If you have 1 set, you don't necessarily know comparatively how good or bad they will be in the face of competition. And what will you do if one is doing something else (VIP tours, for examples) or is just plain tired? Make sure you have all that figured out and don't be afraid to experiment and give everyone a chance!

[flomotan]

Dear Steve Graff,

Thank you for your comment! Here are the answers to your questions:

1) We have not yet been able to rig an autonomous course and get our CMU Camera to work. We're missing parts for the arm (it isn't finished).

2) On mechanism development: We're changing up our motors at the moment but we have the arm and chassis built. We're in the final part of the process.

3) We've all driven it from the chassis, so about 8-10 people. But we haven't finished with the am so no one is familiar with that.

[Arille]

Just as an update for 2135, we've got our component (somewhat) up and running..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkqtTQBm1wQ

As you can see, we have a problem with our lower arm holding eccentric loads. Today we've been researching the denso window motors, and if that would possibly be a better choice than the present globe motors being used. (It probably will be, actually..). None of us or our present mentors know exactly how this specific motor works.. is there some kind of spec sheet/wiring diagram for that? We've had it run, but that's about it. Any ideas??

Some pictures of our arm component...
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/pepgrrl/2-1.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/pepgrrl/2-2.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/pepgrrl/2-3.jpg

As you can see, we are very, very heavy on chains right now too. Hopefully we will find a way to put our 'bot on a diet .. hmm.

Oh, and the third picture given is of our claw (which we have yet attached). The middle piece is on a bearing and spins. The string will be connected to these "fingers", and by using pneumatics, the middle piece will spin, allowing the "fingers" to open and close. (Imagine springs placed to keep the "fingers" down, and the middle piece will allow it to open.)

We haven't figured out the whole pneumaticss system completely yet that would allow the bearing to move (we just got out cylinders in from Bimba today too...). Well, we know WHAT we want it to do, but haven't figured out HOW all of the pneumatics pieces fit together. We're able to input air into the cylinders, but haven't figured out how to release the air on command. Is there something obvious that my team has completely overlooked? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Other than all that , 2135 seems to be surviving!

Any opinions??

[Gabe]

Its amazing how far the robot has gone since I last saw it! Overall, the robot looks very impressive considering that it is your first year. After seeing the video for the first time, I would definately reccommend replacing the globe motors and smaller banebots transmission for window motors.
And if you ever need anything, I'm only a half hour walk away.

[Arille]

Gabe walking half an hour to help us out... That is awesome and sweet We're beginning to feel bad already for calling you guys SO often for help .. you guys are even on our speed dial already, hahahah.

And Thanks! Yeah, we've improved a LOT ever since you last visited. We thought we were good to go, that is, until we ran that component test. Now we've all been in a frenzy trying to figure out how the window motors work, and the pneumatics as well. There is SO much to learn in the next couple of days.....

Well, hopefully we get our arm component done in time. If anything, there is always plan B: drive out of home base, and drive back. Easy 10 points.

See you Sunday! (your guys' mock-up game, and my birthday, hehe! )

[strawberymochi]

ooh Arille, quick correction for our claw. the springs keep the fingers OPEN while the bimba actuator will close them



bimba FINALLY came in haha i was so happy lol i was running through the halls and all the ppl hall decorating for spirit week thought i was crazy jumping up and down w/ a cardboard box .....