This week, the team accomplished the following:

• Created an operational chassis
• Tested the launcher, we currently have 70% accuracy at close range
• Created a debouncer for the xbox controller
• Worked on designs to improve launcher accuracy
• Created a mechanism to traverse the bridges and barrier
• Begun work on a feeder/loading mechanism

 This week, the shooting team continued to make adjustments and has made progress on improving the accuracy of their design. They began by mounting the shooter in order to have a fixed angle. They are currently working on the barrel and experimenting with different combinations of motor speed, angle, and distance from the hoop.

Meanwhile, the team working on the lift has begun the assembly process, and should have a working lift by the end of the week.

The chassis team has continued to work on concepts to navigate the barrier and bridge, preferably with the same mechanism.

 

This is the halfway point in build season, and there is still a lot of work to get done. We anticipate that there will be extra meetings as we approach the ship date. We’ll keep you posted.

 

This week, the mechanical team created an operating ball-shooting prototype. The shooter required time and precision construction, and we are quite pleased with the results.

Shooter up-close:

 

Shooter from a distance:

They also created the chassis based on ideas of how to traverse the barrier. A concept for a device to cross the bridges has also been produced.

 

Prototype for traversing the barrier:

 

The programming team, now generally familiar with robot programming, completed driving code that runs on the lunacy robot using this year’s C-RIO and software, as well as the xbox controller. They created a C++ class to simplify usage of the xbox controller. We have also been assigned the task of creating code to test the shooting prototype.

We are optimistic that all of this will come together and create a robot as effective as we want it to be, and we are working hard to accomplish that goal.

This is the first week of the FIRST Robotics 2012 build season, and the team is hard at work.

So far, the mechanical team has brainstormed and built some promising prototypes for shooting, sweeping, and manipulating the bridge. The team also built replicas of all aspects of the field, like the goals, bridges, and barrier.  We hope to begin actual production and testing of robot sub-devices soon.

Meanwhile, the programming team has reviewed C++ programming and coded a testing robot for the mechanical team. The team also experimented with using the Microsoft Kinect and discussed goals for computer-facilitated aiming and camera target-tracking.

We are making solid progress, but there is still a lot of work remaining.

 

 

 

 

It’s finally here!

After a great kick-off this last Saturday and an exciting brain storm session that followed, our first build season meeting it tonight!

What will we come up with this year? You’ll have to wait and see!

This year’s challenge is ……..

REBOUND RUMBLE!

 

Video belongs to US First, embedded from youtube.com

Robotics is more than just a great time at Brookfield East, it has practical real world applications.

Jason Finishing Group, a subsidiary of Milwaukee-based Jason Inc., is incorporating robotic arms in their manufacuring process.  These robots aren’t taking over the world though, “No position has been eliminated,” [Dr. Florestan von Boxberg, president of Jason Finishing Group, said. ”Rather, our intention has been to improve quality and become a ‘solutions provider’ rather than a ‘product manufacturer.’”

Read the article here on BizTimes Manufacturing Weekly.

 

Picture from BizTimes article

Hello everyone!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit our website and click through for new information!

Team 2202 has been meeting for several weeks already, getting the past robots up and running, cleaning up our shop area, and starting to brainstorm autonomous mode practice challenges.

We meet in the Shop Classroom at the NE corner of the building on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 PM until build season starts.

Last week, we had our informational Parent’s Night meeting and showed the rookie team from Pius XI High School around the shop. One of our past mentors left to start a team there and we’re so excited for them! We can’t wait to see what they come up with for their rookie season!

 

Keep checking back for new blog posts every week!
Until next time, you stay classy, Brookfield!
-robot