Here is the home of the EmberShard open alliance posting series!
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In regards to the construction of the physical robot, we are finishing up a modified GoBilda Strafer chassis out of GoBilda aluminum framing. We have mounted vertical GoBilda yellowjacket motors on to the chassis to operate the wheels. Another addition is the inclusion of Mecanum wheels. Another recent addition is the addition of a bellypan.
In regards to the programming aspect of EmberShard, we have established programming environments this season with android studio with a java base code. We have set a baseline using last season’s code that we plan on making tweaks to use for this season. We have also used a new repository for programming storage.
Photos will be posted promptly after technical difficulties are solved.
So far this week we’ve (for about the twentieth time) about finished belting our smaller viper slide, besides the one little piece we unfortunately managed to break. We took off the wheels on the chassis and remounted them in a more secure way, thanks to one of our leaders Max, who creatively thought through a safer approach to do so. We’re excited to mount our future hanging mechanism and start testing out some of the programming our team has been working on!
Speaking of programmers, they’ve been experimenting with Simulation to test things out and help our newer programmers learn to transfer block code into Java. It’s been difficult but they enjoy it and are excited to see where the rest of the season leads!
After hearing about the catastrophe of hurricane Helene, our team felt inspired to assist the victims in any way we could. So, we decide to write cards in order to uplift and send love to those who have experienced loss and continue to struggle with the aftermath of this natural disaster. Not only that, but we are also donating food and hygiene products to reach their physical needs as well! 
As we continue to develop our robot for the competition, we’ve made significant strides in several key areas. One of our major achievements is the creation of a hanging mechanism that is now attached to a viper slide. This mechanism will allow us to elevate the robot efficiently during gameplay, enabling us to score points by hanging from designated structures. The viper slide provides smooth and reliable motion, which is crucial for achieving the precision needed in high-pressure situations.
During our recent design reviews, we recognized the necessity of rebuilding our chassis. Initially, the design was somewhat irregular, which hindered our driving performance. To improve maneuverability and stability, we have opted to create a more square chassis. This change will not only enhance our driving capabilities but also provide a sturdier base for the attachments and mechanisms we plan to implement. We are ensuring that the new chassis is lightweight yet robust, so it can withstand the rigors of the competition while maintaining agility.
In addition to these modifications, we are in the process of developing a grabbing mechanism specifically designed to secure game pieces. This mechanism will also be mounted on a viper slide, which will allow for swift and precise movement when picking up or releasing objects. We are carefully considering the design to ensure that it can handle various sizes and shapes of game pieces, providing a reliable grip without damaging them.
In terms of our programming efforts, we have successfully completed the initial code that drives the robot. This foundational code enables us to control the robot’s movements with precision, allowing for smooth navigation across the field. We have tested various driving modes, ensuring that the robot can execute forward, backward, and turning maneuvers reliably. This early success gives us a solid base to build upon as we integrate more complex functionalities.
Currently, the programming team is focused on developing code for our hanging and grabbing mechanisms. The hanging mechanism requires precise control to ensure that the robot can elevate itself efficiently at critical moments during the game. We are implementing algorithms that will allow for smooth transitions between driving and hanging, minimizing any delays during operation. This is crucial, as timing can significantly impact our scoring potential.
Simultaneously, we are working on the code for the grabbing mechanism. This involves programming the robot to recognize and securely grip various game pieces. To ensure seamless coordination between the driving, hanging, and grabbing functions, we are implementing a comprehensive control system that allows for simultaneous operation. This will enable the robot to transition fluidly between tasks, maximizing efficiency during matches. Regular testing and debugging sessions are helping us identify and resolve any issues, ensuring that the final code is robust and reliable.
Overall, we are excited about the progress we’ve made and are looking forward to the next stages of development. Each modification is bringing us closer to a highly functional and competitive robot, ready to take on the challenges ahead.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, we are working at a craft booth where fifty percent of the proceeds will go to efforts to help people affected by the Hurricane. 100% if the profits form the Wakefield Robotics club will go towards those efforts as well.
During our meeting last Monday, we experimented with different ways to best attach our claw to the servo we screwed onto the end expansion of our arm. After a few failing attempts including deformed rubber and trying to cut a piece of metal with clippers (don’t ask), we eventually succeeded in our attempts and we managed to attach everything. After accomplishing that, we handed our robot to the programmers to code the servo to move the claw up and down. Thankfully, with nearly no problems at all, Milo set everything up and we were able to spend the rest of the meeting testing the new code.
In our meeting this week, we spent time finishing and revising our claw connection to the arm and tested the mobility further. After that, one of our teammates, Max, was checking everything on the viper slide and noticed some…interesting…grinding noises coming from the arm when we expanded it. So, naturally, we spent the rest of the meeting time inspecting the issues and figuring the solutions and eventually fixed the problem. In the meantime, one of our mentors allowed members to, when they had free time, make their own pens to further represent our team while at school and wherever we choose to use it!
As part of our ongoing efforts to develop a high-performing robot, we successfully programmed the arm and viper slide mechanisms, both of which are crucial for the robot’s functionality. The arm is responsible for lifting and positioning game pieces, while the viper slide allows for precise linear movement and ensures that the arm can reach the necessary height and positions. Throughout the development process, we encountered and resolved various issues related to the robot’s functionality. To ensure that our robot is capable of operating under realistic conditions, we dedicated significant time to building the practice field. While we’ve assembled about two-thirds of the field, this has already provided valuable insights into how our robot interacts with game elements in a more accurate environment. Driving practice has been an essential part of our testing regimen. We have allocated significant time to refining our autonomous and driving strategies.
Our team participated in a practice scrimmage with Batteries Not Included (11424) & Short Circuit (23272), providing a valuable opportunity to assess the current functionality and performance of our robot within a competitive environment. This scrimmage allowed us to identify areas where our robot excels, as well as areas that may require further refinement as we approach official competitions.
In terms of programming, we have developed and implemented several basic autonomous routines. These routines are designed to reliably position the robot for parking in the designated zone. While these programs are still in their initial stages, they have shown promising results and will be iterated upon to include earning us more points.
Additionally, we have begun work on a new version of our robot, with an emphasis on optimizing the arm mechanism for improved performance in balancing and hanging tasks. This updated design aims to enhance both the precision and stability of the arm during critical phases of the match, such as hanging from the structure. The new configuration is intended to reduce the time required for this task and increase our team’s overall competitiveness.
Moving forward, we will continue to fine-tune both our hardware and software to ensure that the robot is fully optimized for the upcoming events. Our next steps include further testing of the autonomous programs and continued refinement of the arm mechanism, with a focus on durability, speed, and accuracy.
This week, the team made significant progress across multiple areas. Construction of the practice field is almost complete, with only a few final tasks remaining to ensure it is ready for use.
In programming, we began early work on vision capabilities, focusing on the initial framework for object detection and alignment. Although no testing has been conducted yet, the foundation laid this week provides a solid starting point for future refinement and implementation.
On the hardware side, the team successfully remounted the robotic arm. This process involved making adjustments to enhance its stability and ensure it operates smoothly during competition. Additionally, wire management was a key focus, as we worked to organize and secure all wiring to prevent interference with the robot’s moving components. This effort not only improved the robot’s functionality but also increased its overall safety and reliability.
Looking ahead, our priorities will include completing the practice field, testing and refining the vision programming, evaluating the functionality of the remounted arm, and continuing to improve wire management.
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This week, we worked on several key tasks to improve our robot and get ready for competitions. We organized the wiring on the robot to keep everything neat and running smoothly. The team built and attached an arm designed to grab game pieces, making progress on an important feature.
We also finished building our practice field, which will help us test and refine our robot’s performance. On the programming side, we wrote code for an autonomous routine for our demo bot. Tonight, we plan to test the programming to see how well everything works and make any necessary improvements.
On Sunday we attended a food packaging event for Rise Against Hunger. We were one of five teams that attended along with FTC teams Short Circuit (23272) & Batteries Not Included (11424), and FRC teams Terror Bytes (4561) & Firewall (5607). While there we packed 11,448 meals that will go towards ending world hunger.
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