2015 Robot Build

RecycleRush

 

CHS Robotics Team - Game Kick-Off 2015
CHS Robotics Team – Game Kick-Off 2015

2015 Season kicked off on Saturday, January 3rd. The team went to the WCTC to meet up with other teams for the FIRST game kick-off event.

This year’s challenge RECYCLE RUSH was a recycling-themed game played by two Alliances of three robots each.  Robots scored points by stacking totes on scoring platforms, capping those stacks with recycling containers, and properly disposing of pool noodles, representing litter.  In keeping with the recycling theme of the game, all game pieces used are reusable or recyclable by teams in their home locations or by FIRST at the end of the season.  The full game explanation and animation can be found here.

Week 1:  Strategy and Design

Organizing human walk-through of Recycle Rush.
Organizing human walk-through of Recycle Rush.

After the Saturday morning kick-off the team went back the high school for game strategy with a human walk-through of the game.

During Week 1, we had to build a platform robot with the new RoboRio control board and electrical components.  We started building out the playing field items that would be needed to test and practice with the robot.  The CAD (Computer Aided Design) team started designing the robot’s components.

Checking out the new roborio control board
Checking out the new RoboRio control board.
Building game field parts
Building game field parts.
Soldering electric components
Soldering electric components.
CAD team designing robot components.
Software Team - Installing required software for robot testing
Software Team installing required software for robot testing.

 Week 2 –  Design and Prototype

Design work continued, the new electric and hardware components were installed and ran on last year’s chassis.  The team was building out the 2015 chassis jig.  The fabrication team started cutting and milling chassis components.  The team finished up on the game field pieces, that would be used to practice with the robot.

Software Team - Testing the RoboRio controller
The software team testing the RoboRio controller.

Test Robot – running new components

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Milling chassis parts.
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Building jig parts.
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Building the jig for the chassis.
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Building the chassis jig to form the aluminum frame.

Week 3- CAD and Fabrication

Design was continued this week, however physical building took place in the form of finishing the tote chute and the beginning of welding.  Milling and cutting of the chassis parts also started this week.  In addition, the CAD team continued working with the lift and tilt mechanisms while the programming team worked on installing the camera.  

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“Understanding Motor and Gearbox Design.”
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Finishing the Tote Chute.
Cutting aluminum for the chassis frame.
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Team Meeting.
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Software team working on robot code and cameras.
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Getting ready for welding,

Week 4 – Fabrication

The chassis was welded and finished this week.  More parts were milled and safety was taken into account.  Pit design began as well.

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Welding of the chassis frame,
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Chassis frames ready for assembly,
Getting ready for welding
Getting ready for welding,
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Milling parts.
Software team syncing up code
Software team syncing up code.
Training on drilling
Training on drilling.
Taking inventory on the Safety Kit.
Taking inventory on the Safety Kit.
Preparing the wires for the electric components.
Preparing the wires for the electric components.
Designing the pit area
Designing the pit area.

Week 5 – Wiring and Assembly

The chassis was assembled and wired this week, with many discussions occuring on the best way to wire the robot.

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Discussing wiring the chassis.
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Wiring the chassis.
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Electric panel installed on the chassis

Week 6 – Final Assembly and Testing 

The robot’s arm was installed and tested with a garbage can through collaboration with the coding and control team.

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Swinging arm installed.
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Testing lift capacity with tote and garbage can.
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Testing lift capacity with totes.

Bag Day – Feb 17th, 2015!

This was the last day to work on the robot before bagging to until competition.

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Final day of build,
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Congratulations on a successful build!

Cedarburg High School Robotics Team – FRC #3197