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
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.
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.
Test Robot – running new components
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bag Day – Feb 17th, 2015!
This was the last day to work on the robot before bagging to until competition.
