Hi! As a fun senior design project (not on a team right now), I plan on doing a robot speed run in 12 hours. Typically, with kickoff/strategic design, you take much longer to design a robot, but playing around with architecture and breaking the rules sounds fun.
I plan on streaming it all on my YouTube channel, which you can check out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOEql8vtbm1UofZ14x85d3g
General Constraints and Regulations:
Manufacturing: Omio, Bandsaw, 3DP, Drills, drill taps.
Complexity: Needs to be finished in under 12 hours with important fasteners, but needs to otherwise “function.”
Drivebase: COTS Swerve
COTS: Use as much COTS as possible, reducing the manufacturing time. Utilize Citrus Mounts.
DOFS: Continuous/Linear motion is much preferred over rotational motion. If rotational motion is required, keep it short and not long. (wrist vs arm)
Practices: Try to do “best practices” for design. Avoid jank things if possible.
CAD Practices: Breaking CAD practices is fine if time can be saved. Ensure the feature tree is still healthy. It’s fine to avoid things such as naming sketches or folders if it’s annoying.
Things I want to do/try:
- Compare with multiple KrayonCAD architectures before deciding (2 hours). I want to go with something other than the first thing I design with. I only have a little experience with it, so I’ll have to mess around and learn.
- Play with multiple Layout sketches. Besides KrayonCAD, I want to master sketch stuff and ensure it works.
- Play with XRC simulator and understand the game. Try to do field simulations if possible.
- Go architecture first, then mechanism. I don’t want to sweat the small details yet; I think I can play around with architecture more fluidly and make an intake work with the architecture.
- Design something that can get 1st picked and could be competitive at worlds. Maximize the amount of points that can be scored for the design time I have (Effectively 9 hours)
Things I want to avoid:
- Scope creep
- Wasting time on a single mechanism or architecture. If it doesn’t work, pivot since I don’t have time.
- Compromising on programming/mechanical/electrical
- Pneumatics
I also want to make decisions at certain times to avoid compromising on design, even if it means choosing a less “optimal architecture,”
Timeline:
9 AM: Kickoff happens
(Stream Starts sometime after kickoff)
11 AM: Figure out potential strategies and how the game works
12 AM: Lunch break
1 PM: Make at least 6 KrayonCAD
1:30 PM: Decide on architecture and start designing a master sketch
5 PM: Part studios finished
6 PM: Dinner break
8 PM: Assemblies Finished
9 PM: Details and polishing
I bought myself coffee and snacks. Hopefully, that helps. I plan on eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though. The brain needs energy, too!
I might not meet my goal anyway, and that’s fine. I’m posting this for more accountability and to document my progress. I’ll be making updates throughout the day.
Good luck, everyone!
