Machines for an Ideal Robotics Workshop?

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

An engineering college student who was in FIRST in high school.

I think good work tables/areas and good lighting is important in a shop. Also, good clamps and vises.

A waterjet can also be quite handy, but very costly.

397 has several engineering college students who were in FIRST Problem is, most of us are CS/CE/EE we only have two ME students, one of whom is graduating.

The tables thing is a good point, I know we lack good tables and chairs. As a result we tend to work on the ground a lot. This means that we aren't working at a good level which leads to all sorts of bad things.

Waterjets are nice, but they make a mess, Id rather outsource this.

Optimal shop: (in order of importance)

• Students who are passionate
• Supportive Parents and Mentors
• Safe Environment (ie not having to worry about theft)
• Access any time
• Adequate work space (tables/chairs etc)
• Hand tools
• Arbor Presses (We use the ones we have a lot)
• Mill (CnC and Manual)
• Lathe (CnC and Manual)
• Computer Lab with Solidworks/Unigraphics
• High Ceilings
• Enough room for a full practice field
• Full practice field
• Material's to build a second robot.
• Wireless Internet that isn't so locked down we can't do research
• Oscilloscopes
• High speed video equipment
• Production Quality Recording Studio (for Promo Videos)

That was the serious part, now, Id like to be located somewhere I could gain access to the AndyMark inventory anytime. I wouldn't want JVN or Karthik or Baker, competing against them is more fun.