Team 869 In Need of Some Advice

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Billfred

-Stephen Kowski pointed this one out to me: don't ask "What Would Beatty Do?", ask "What Would BeachBots Do?". Look at 330 the past four seasons. Together, those robots have won one four regionals (and finalist at two more), Curie in 2007, IRI in 2008, and the whole enchilada in 2005. They're all dead simple; single joints for everything but 2006 (when an arm wasn't really an option). Build it as simple as possible, then refine that design as best you can. More time, shorter letter.

And guess who has just about the resources you do? Yep, Team 330. Except it's a borrowed chopsaw instead of a bandsaw. The main thing you might want would be a welder, but that's negotiable. (It makes the robot look cooler, but you don't need it.) A machinist mainly does the absolute, 100% "it must be there and nowhere else" holes.

As to materials, 330's arm material of choice tends to be PVC or aluminum, depending on the year. (Fiberglass also works--2007.) Everything else is aluminum, but trannies are purchased or KOP. Steel only shows up in sprockets or in trannies.

Oh, and Billfred--you forgot a finalist at IRI 2005.

[Akash Rastogi]

Honestly best thing I can suggest is go on google maps. Search "Machine shops in ' '"

We did it this year and learned that there are a bunch of machine shops that we never even knew about within 5 minutes of our school basically.

Google maps and Yellowpages, trust them.

Btw if you guys need further assistance feel free to PM or IM me and I'll see what contacts I can dig through for that area. I know of some....

Middlesex County College

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...w=text&attrid=

Hope that this helps out. Btw 2554 is also in Middlesex County, see what they can help out with. Again, please IM or PM me if you need more help.

[neoshaakti]

Hey bro, have I'm from team 2554 in Edison, NJ. We're pretty close to you guys. Anyways, have you guys pursued any on campus facilities? Does MCC have some kinda industrial arts department? You guys are literally part of the campus if I'm not mistaken?
I'll do some brainstorming for ya, so let me get back to you in a little bit.
Don't panic, we'll figure something out.
How far are you willing to travel btw?

[Dragonos]

Team 95 is going through the same possibility of not having a machine shop this year. It is really good that your team still has a bandsaw as this, the press and the gracious professionalism when handling an unfortunate situation like this. (We have worked out of a mentor's garage one year.)
Also don't let this happen to you use a wood block with the bandsaw.
http://wc.pima.edu/~cdiscenza/constr...saw_injury.jpg

-Dragonos-

[Dick Linn]

There must be three dozen machine shops in Middlesex/Piscataway/Plainfield. If you need the odd part turned or a slot milled, you can probably walk in and talk someone into doing it for free. On the rare occasions that Team 975 needed something machined, we've been able to find someone to do it.

[waitwhat?]

mcc is something like 30 minutes away, maybe 25. Also, I am open to suggestions as far as facilities. We dont really have a designated maximum that we are wiloling to travel, as long as its within reason.