10-03-2011 09:45

Adam Freeman

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Typical!

Actually, I really would have expected nothing less from one of the best teams in FIRST.

254's 2007 robot played such a large part in the inspiration of our robot this season, and this machine shows exactly what the "masters" of the elevator lift are capable of...

I love it!

Good luck this weekend and season. Can't wait to see this machine in action.

10-03-2011 10:08

BrendanB

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Beautiful! The best roller claw I have seen this season!

10-03-2011 10:21

thefro526

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Fantastic machine.

Please tell me that your Minibot was Powder-coated Blue and Black as well.

10-03-2011 10:50

The Lucas

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Beautiful as always!
What is the top speed of the drive? Beginning of every year I think of how fast Cheesy Poofs will go and hope we get to 80% of that number.

10-03-2011 11:16

IKE

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Beautiful.

10-03-2011 11:47

JesseK

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

I don't think you can powder coat any surface that makes contact with the pole or deployment mechanism since then it could be considered a 'functional' decoration. Powder coating changes the friction coefficients. That's not to say the necessary areas can't be taped off though.

I always love the simple looks of the poof bots. They always make the design process look easy, and it always seems like there's so much to learn just from 1 picture. I like how the panels are arranged, giving the robot some reflective flare while allowing the robot to still look like a robot.

2 minor questions:
Is that a CAT5 cable coming out the bottom of the lift? Is that for sensor runs?
Is that a pneumatic quick release for inter-match charging?

10-03-2011 11:50

Tom Bottiglieri

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Hella fatty wicked awesome. totally miley cyrus.

10-03-2011 11:57

Brandon Holley

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Bad. $@#$@#$@#.

Good luck guys.

-Brando

10-03-2011 12:00

Akash Rastogi

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

lol Cali kids.

Great elevator as usual. Like the name too!

10-03-2011 12:03

ttldomination

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Looks oddly familiar...

10-03-2011 12:15

V_Chip

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Robots in disguise. . .

10-03-2011 13:46

Eugene Fang

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Lovin' the Deception, Nick!

10-03-2011 14:39

Dr Theta

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

I'm absolutely loving that cover for the wireless bridge.

10-03-2011 15:52

The Cyborg

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

As a TF nerd, I am now a huge fan of your robot. That is very awesome!

Also, If I am not mistaken, the name indicates that your robot is female

10-03-2011 15:59

JVN

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

They're all female... like cars, ships, and airplanes.

10-03-2011 16:20

Eugene Fang

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

You guys should name your minibot "Mini-Con."

10-03-2011 16:25

Grim Tuesday

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

The first thought that went through my head when I saw your robot was
"that can't be real time"

Anyways, can you detail a bit more about your drive train?

10-03-2011 18:30

CallieJ

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Does this mean I can post pictures now?


For people asking about drive- it's fast. Really really fast. Scary fast sometimes, especially if you're the one driving (our robot has the same drive and sometimes it's practically uncontrollable. We're working on that....).

You guys did an amazing job this year. It was an honor and a privilege to see Slipstream come together and I am 10000x more proud of our robot because they share some components.

Also, thank god you didn't name it Ravage.

10-03-2011 18:46

sNeff

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Beautiful, elegant bot. (Loving the decals)

Interested to see the deployment in action this weekend.

I'm excited for SVR in a few weeks--it's looking to be another great year for everyone.

10-03-2011 18:56

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Beat uber fast robot that can effectively hang tubes and is part of the team who mostly wins at SVR? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

10-03-2011 19:49

ducttapedude

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Absolutely beautiful.
I'm definitely loving it, brings back some awesome memories as well : D

Mike has definitely been here ; )

10-03-2011 21:06

IanW

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Been waiting for this one since the end of the build season.
Very nice robot. Team 254 is one team that I personally really admire.
Good luck at your competitions.

11-03-2011 00:47

EagleEngineer

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Amazing robot, simple yet efficient design. Very fast. Great work.

11-03-2011 00:51

Chickenonastick

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Lovin' the Decepticon Access Point.

11-03-2011 01:55

s_forbes

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

It looks like you guys are leaving the realm of robot mechanics limiting your speed and are now only held back by the skill of your driver. Scary!

As usual, very slick and beautiful machine work. Any estimate on how many pounds of aluminum chips you made this year? Looks from the pictures like your gripper rollers are powered from transmissions near the arm's hinge point... I'd love to see more detailed shots of the mechanism if you happen to have any. I can't get enough Cheesy Poof pictures!

Question for you and other roller claw teams out there... I've noticed a trend of pneumatic releases for roller claws among some of the 'elite' teams. Was there a design limitation with a straight roller claw approach that necessitated this feature? We didn't go with the roller route for our gripper mechanism and I'm curious.

11-03-2011 02:23

Cory

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Mike has most definitely inspired portions of our design. We like to copy the best and then put our own spin on it. Maybe someday we'll make a 233 arm.

11-03-2011 06:50

MagiChau

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Watch out its a transformer! It is going to be hanging tubes like it has human arms while still being veiled in its vehicle form.

11-03-2011 07:57

ATH1RSTYM00SE

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Hmm while this machine looks really capable, what i have to question is if the tubes are overinflated as they were for a large portion of our regional, can your compact roller design still handle them? Just a question but good luck guys we hope to see you in st louis

14-03-2011 00:50

NickE

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

Yes, the tubes in San Diego were somewhat overinflated as well and we were able to handle them with ease. Slipstream's manipulator has 5 degrees of freedom and the rollers actually separate to release tubes. If a tube is so overinflated that it cannot be compressed between the two rollers, the rollers are simply pushed aside and the tube can be grabbed.

Furthermore, we have programming and sensors to actively suck tubes in so that even if only part of a tube is in the grabber, it can still be held securely. When a tube is in the grabber, you can actually pull the robot around by the tube.

14-03-2011 20:43

Triple B

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

The cross pollenization between 254 and 233 is becoming more visable each year. I am always glad to learn from others and also share our ideas, concepts, and designs with others in the FIRST community. OH and that is one swee-ee-eet robot you guy have unvailed this year. Not that I would expect anything less than the best from the west.
Mike d

15-03-2011 13:34

JVN

Re: pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

It occurred to me that I was too distracted by my admiration to actually comment...

This is probably one of the most beautiful machines I've ever seen. Simple, elegant and extremely effective. You guys have raised the bar once again, and I know I'll be trying to play catch up next year.

Kudos to you guys on a beautiful machine, and on your big win last weekend!

-John