new robot

11/24/09 Meeting notes

We have completely redesigned the robot to shoot the balls by using a baseball like arm swinging vertical. We also finished a prototype of the ball feeding mechanism. This is a V live pace of cardboard to direct the balls to a central point (right under the the arm). We ran some test on the shooting and it was a success, the balls shot out like a gun.

Crunch Time

OK Guys we learned about both the competition and our robot at this weekend's scrimmage.  Like last year, we'll need to modify our design a lot and we have three weeks until the MD competition on 12/5.  While there is a lot to get done, I'm very confident we can and will be successful.  We are going to need to expand the working sessions and will be having build sessions on each of the following days:

I don't expect everyone can make all the practices - please make the ones you can and remember school does come first.  I am hoping to take advantage of the time from half days in the Howard County School system during the thanksgiving break.  I'm also happy to schedule other session if requested

Mon 11/16, 4 -6 pm

Thur 11/19, 4 - 6 pm

Sun 11/22, 6 - 8pm

Mon 11/23, 2 -4 pm

Tues 11/24, 2 -4 pm

Wed 11/25, 2-4 pm

Fri 11/27, noon - 2pm

Sun 11/29 6 - 8pm

Tues 12/ 1, 4 -6pm

Thur 12/3, 6-8pm

Fri 12/4, 6-8pm

Sat 12/5, The MD State Championship!

Thanks

11/13/09 Meeting notes

Tonight we discovered a new way on getting the balls into the goal by using a metal pole attached to a motor. This would spin 360 degrees and as the balls role in it would catapult them. We also worked on programing. We broke the telop program in to 4 parts (movement, arm, bucket tilt, and Lego arms on the side). Using that we could test part of the program without working about a glitch in another part. Once all the separate parts work we combine them in to the one telop program. Currently we have a working drive and arm programs.

Longer Build Session on Sunday

Guys:
Given all we need to complete, I'm going to have practice start a bit earlier next Sunday.  Please confirm via the comments button if you can come earlier