2016 Robot Build

 

stronghold

kick off group

2016 Season kicked off on Saturday, January 9th. The team went to WCTC to meet up with other teams for the FIRST game kick-off event.

This year’s challenge Stronghold is a medieval-themed game played by two Alliances of three robots each. Robots score points by picking up a 10″ ball, crossing obstacles called defences,  and shooting the ball into a goal. Keeping with the medieval theme of the game, the field had a castle that was to be captured by the alliance.  The full game explanation and animation can be found here.

Week 1:  Strategy and Design

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Planning and determining the best strategy for the game.

During week 1, we had to develop goals and needs for our robot.  We decided to develop a robot capable of going under the low bar, damage 4 of 5 defensive categories, shoot the low goal, shoot the high goal and climb the tower.  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 components and the programming team began testing code to use during the season.

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CAD team drawing up robot concepts.
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Design team coming up with ideas on how to reach our goals.
Building field elements.

 Week 2 –  Design and Prototype

Design work continued, the team started to prototype different ideas for chassis design.  Different ideas were considered for wheels and drivetrain while the control team experimented with different auto-align codes using an old chassis.

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The team tested a one wheeled shooter.
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A wooden frame was built to test some of our ideas.
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The first prototyped frame we created.

Week 3- CAD and Fabrication

The Computer Aided Design (CAD) team continued working with the climbing and a high shooting mechanisms while the programming team worked on code for the tank drive.  The team also worked on gearbox selection and we sent CAD files to our sponsors for laser cutting.  The programming team attached our woodbox prototype to an old chassis and continued to develop code.

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Supports being milled by students.

Week 4 – Fabrication and assembly

This week we received our side panels and other parts from GenMet.  We started to bore holes to fit for bearings and tap screw holes as the chassis took shape.  The control team continued practicing with the previous bot and starting to write code to deploy to this bot.

The first few parts bolted together.
The first few parts bolted together.
All parts are fitting together just as we had expected.
All parts are fitting together just as we had expected.
It looks like a robot!
It looks like a robot!

Week 5 – Control Assembly and Testing

This week the control team was able to install electrical components and the robot came to life this week.  We were able to connect the robot to the driver station and drive it.

Motors and gear boxes are attached.
Motors and gear boxes are attached.
The belly pan is neatly organized with motor controllers and power distribution.
The belly pan is neatly organized with motor controllers and power distribution.

Week 6 – Last week! Testing and Tuning

This is our last week to work on our competition bot. We are finishing up the wiring and programming of our bot.  We were able to to take our bot to the Mini Regional in Sussex, WI.

The team setting up the bot at the mini regional.
The team setting up the bot at the mini regional.
Fixing the bot between matches at the mini regional.
Fixing the bot between matches at the mini regional.
Team getting set up before the mini regional.
Team getting set up before the mini regional.
The team that attended the mini regional in Sussex.
The team that attended the mini regional in Sussex.
The drive team's official first run . Mr. Kniess is terrified, everyone else is calm and collected.
The drive teams official first run . Mr. Kniess is terrified, everyone else is calm and collected.

First time going over defense!

Bag Day! – 2/23/16 11:59 pm

The final day to work on our robot. After this we will put it in a bag until our Wisconsin Regional Competition.

Bacon and brownies buffet line!
Bacon and brownies buffet line!
Plate full of our yearly tradition.
Plate full of our yearly tradition.
Relaxing after 6 weeks of work!
Relaxing after 6 weeks of work!
The team and bot before it goes in the bag.
The team and bot before it goes in the bag.

Cedarburg High School Robotics Team – FRC #3197