Robotics Team 1890

We're back!

THANK YOU TEAM 1890!!!

My experience at the Peachtree Regional was totally out of this world. I've learned so much through the process that there are not enough words express my gratitude to the SEMAA/TSU/NASA program and to all the parents, teachers, friends, mentors, and sponsors who made this experience POSSIBLE! It happened.

We, as a team, improved and will continue to do so without doubt.

Thanks to our captain alliance team we were given a second opportunity. There were ups and downs, and we learned from both perspectives.

It's not over, hard work is still ahead of us.

TEAM 1890 Sounds Good!!!

~Nao!

WE'RE ALMOST THERE

Tomorrow is the BIG day!
Are we ready?!!!
YES, WE ARE!!!
GO TEAM 1890!!!

Oh, Ship Time

Time to ship the robot. The camera follows the light, and hopefully we'll be able to make it go to the light. It's a lot more complicated than last year, but it's still a long ways from perfect.

THE ARM 2

Today we worked on the arm some more. We decided the robot would only reach the first and second bars.

We're Not Done Yet

Even though today was suppose to be the last day, we still didn't finish. Some of the people are coming tomorrow to finish the robot. Nikki and I work on the foot of the arm. We also went to Lowes with Mr. Madison. Taylor went also. They got the wheels moving, the ones that had the gears. We also brought the crate to the AEL building.

WHAT I DID

Today me and Mandie worked on the foot of the robot. We drilled holes in it first then we put the pice to the foot of the robot. we also helped clean up the room and our space that we had made a mess at as well. We went to lowes with our teacher Mr. Madison to get some wairer for the robot . That's what Idid today in my group with my homie Mandie.

Nikki

Another Box

On Saturday Nikki and I built another box. This box was for the battery. We did the measurements and Mr. Gary cut the wood. Then Nikki and I put the box together. Roy got the arm of the robot to move a little. Even though it snowed the whole time, we still got a lot done.

THE ARM

Even though it snowed we still had a good turn out. Mr. Gary, Mrs. Leigh, and I went to Lowes and Wal-mart to get parts for the arm and the bumpers. We found some really light aluminum material that's way lighter than the other stuff, and it still needs to be cut. We built the arm and attached it the robot. The paddle moved really well, but the arm had a really hard time lifting up, and it didn't lift up high enough. We are going to add a counter weight on it and see if that helps.

Battery Box

Today I worked on drilling the holes in the box. I had to measure the pieces of wood by inches and watched Mr. Gary cut the wood. I also learned how to find sizes of the tools. I watched Roy get the robot's arm moving.

Nikki

wheels

Well, i just finished the front two wheels. However, we may want to put some more pop rivets in the tread just to make sure it is held down good. I may try to stop and get them on the way to the meeting. Or if anyone has some they could bring, that would be great too!

Servos are evil

Roy, Mr. Anderson, and I were trying to get the servos on the camera to work. We were going to all kinds of websites, trying everything we could think of, driving ourselves insane. You have to have the back up battery plugged in.... Other than that and some parts not showing up it was a very productive day. Mrs. Hayes, thanks for the Valentine cupcakes.

Building the Shipping Crate

Today Nikki, Mr. Billy and I built the shipping crate today. Nikki and I got to drill everything on the crate. It took us all day to build it. We couldn't finish the wheels again this week because the gears are still not in. We still have to finish the arm for the robot also.

Video From 2.03.07

This is with the BIG camera

Video From 1.27. 07

I apologise for the lateness of this video. the other is coming shortly.

Next Saturday's Meeting

Well, we have two more saturdays left before the shipping date. I believe that Josh will have the material for the arm by then. However, I think it might be a good idea to go ahead and start making plans for what we plan to accomplish. That way we are not sitting there wondering what to do next like we did on the previous meeting. Also, can anyone think of some items we need to bring to the next meeting? The more prepared we are, the more we will get done.

putting on tires and chains

Today we put the back wheels on and the chains on. We couldn't finish them because we didn't have all the gears. We started building the shipping case. We also built a model of the "spider". Few of the guys started to put the electronics onto the robot.

Wheels Part 2 1/28/07

Mr. Butterworth and I attached the tread to the wheels. We had to drill some new holes because the holes on the wheels didn't line up. We also had to cut them down to size. Overall it was a success, and the wheels are ready to be put on the robot.

Making Spacers

I got to use a band saw and a belt sander to make 4 spacers for the wheels. I got to put the front tires on the robot. We put the tower on the robot and we got the new wheels in. About 5 people put the wheels together, but we couldn't put them on the robot yet. I want to thank all the parents for their help.

Wheels 1/27/07

This week the wheels came in. Ellis, Jasmine, Khiry, Taylor, and I worked on assembling the wheels. The only problem was that to put the tread on you need a rivetgun and a drill. We had neither. So the treads will have to wait till next week. Thanks to the parents who provided the food.

Saturday, January 27

Today the team continued with the assembly of the robot. They focused on building the frame and working on the wheels. Back in the AEL, several team members worked the 3D model of the robot. They used a computer program called Inventor to put parts of the robot together. There are still several things that need to be worked on but the students are working hard to make sure that their parts are ready for the completed product. The marketing team also met this morning and came up with some new ideas for advertising the team.

Engineers

This is great, Mrs. Frances Gary found this

Disassembling the Beast 1/20/07

Robert, Cory, Alok, Mandie, Roy, and I worked on disassembling last year's robot, so we could use the parts for this year's robot. It was going well except for some of last year's crazy assembly held us up. Dr. Amir was very helpful with his machine work. Thanks to the moms who prepared the great food.

1-20-07

During Saturday's meeting the team continued building the robot, working on its base. They also completed the electrical wiring that goes inside the robot. On the computers, team members worked with 3D models of the robot that will eventually be part of the finished product. As the competition draws nearer, the marketing department works on advertising for the team. Today they met to discuss ideas for team T-shirts and the logo. They also have ideas for wristbands, keychain flashlights, and earrings that will represent the team.

Video from 1.13.07

Thursday January 11

Today we met at 3:30 and reviewed the design that we had came up with previously. Next, we built a VEX model so that we could present the idea to the whole group on Thursday. Then, we began to put the models of different pieces on to the computer using autodesk inventor. We also began to put together the power distribution system.

Tuesday, Jan.9

Today we met at 3:30 p.m. to decide the final design for the robot. The kit finally came in, so we had a good time going through the parts. We started working on a scale model. We hope to get it done on Thursday. By the way, there is a meeting on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. If you are interested in going, it's in the same place as usual. You will be using the program inventor. There will be snacks unless a mouse (a BIG mouse) got into the closet.

Video From 1.06.07

Back from Manchester!

I'm back from my trip to the FIRST Kickoff - on Friday I attended workshops and the founder's reception at Dean Kamen's house before the Kickoff Saturday morning. After the announcement we were allowed to go on to the playing field and inspect the dimensions, etc. so I'm sure I'll be able to help us build a scale model of the 'Rack' so we can test our designs before the competition! We might also build a half/third scale model of the playing field and build some preliminary robot designs with our Vex Robotics kits before starting on the Big One. Also, during the workshops they showed us how to program the robot using EasyC to autonomously follow a green light around - something that will come in handy!

Day 1 Challenge to be released!

January sixth marked the kickoff of the First Robotics Program of 2007. The Team in Middle Tennessee began their season by watching the 2007 kickoff video which presented the big challenge of the year. Right away they got to work discussing and planning their prize-wining robot. They started by splitting off into groups, each discussing different design ideas. After spending some time creating and analyzing designs the groups came together to present their ideas. With the help of several brilliant college students they began choosing a final design. The team got off to an excellent start completing many hours of hard work and planning. After a great beginning to a new season they look forward to coming back on the thirteenth to get back to work on their sure-to-be-amazing robot.