NOTES_+Electronic+Notebook

Our Team is now working within a much smaller time frame, there is no time to go through the complete engineering design process. Below are recommendations of what needs to happen in the coming few weeks. Please remember that half of the build season is already over.
 * 1/31/11 Rohrer-**

Mechanical 1) Assemble the robot frame provided in the kit of parts. It's recommended that the team use the "long" configuration (meaning 27" wide and 37" long). To make that happen, you will need to cut two of the kit frame rails provided to you in the Kit of Part. Please make sure the frame is no bigger than 27"x37" once your cuts are complete; this is to make sure the final robot will fit in the sizing box at the competition. Also make sure the center holes line up on the long sides and all of the middle axle holes face downward. Detailed instructions are included with the frame.

2) Mount the kit drive system to the robot including the CIMple gearboxes, 2 CIM motors (one for each side), 6 wheels, sprockets and chain. The robot will "rock" between the front and back wheels, this is the intentional.

3) Our team will need to build bumpers in accordance with robot rule R07. The easiest way to do this is order the bumper kits available from www.andymark.com <> . They sell kits for red and blue bumpers. Most teams find it easier to build two identical sets and change them between matches instead of building one set and using covers. You can get the robot running around without bumpers, but these are required for competition. Some teams will choose to build their own bumpers, but the kits make this process a bit easier.

4) We need a crate to ship the robot on February 22nd. We need to start thinking about the materials required to build the crate. Parents, Mr. Plank and others are great resources for this task. Crate details can be found on the FIRST website under robot shipping.

Electrical/Controls 1) Make an electronics test board that can be mounted onto the robot. This can be made out of wood or Polycarbonate (not acrylic). Mount the cRio, PD board, 120A main breaker, 1 digital side car, radio, radio transformer to start. The control system documentation describes how to wire these components together. Make sure you use the proper size (gauge) wire to connect each component.

2) Setup the cRio software, IP address and driver station and get the main components working together. The control system documentation describes this process. You will likely need internet access to complete this task.

3) Add two Jaguar speed controllers to the electronics board. Connect the speed controller power inputs to 40A breakers on the PD board using 12 AWG wire (10 AWG is recommended). Connect the speed controller outputs to the CIM motors. Each motor connects to one speed controller. Use a PWM cable to connect the speed controller to the Digital Side Car.

4) Once code is added, the robot should be able to move from operator commands. There is default code to allow you to do this. You'll need to develop a driver control board on which to mount the joysticks and Classmate PC to bring with you on the playing field.

After the chassis is moving - Once the team gets the chassis moving, then you can start to work on the other elements of the game you may want to take on like collecting and scoring tubes, and/or creating and deploying a minibot. Our recommendation is to pick one SIMPLE thing and do it well. Examples would be to quickly grab and score tubes on the lower scoring pegs, or to effectively move tubes across the field to aid alliance partners actively scoring.

The team will need the following tools and materials to get the robot up and running: Chain Break Tool Additional Electrical Connectors

The following tools are already available: Electrical tape Wire (12/10 AWG and 20AWG) Black and Red Hacksaw or chop saw for aluminum cutting Heavy duty velcro wire ties Assorted screw drivers and wrenches Drill Electrical Crimper Diagonal cutters for wire Hammer and wood blocks

What a great work session today! I will try to post pictures soon! Great job folks! Keep up the good work! Hope you all enjoyed the team building skills we exercised today and are ready to take this robot all the way to a championship! Stravin' Marvin's pizza was a great way to wrap up the day! Don't forget our work session on Saturday Feb. 5, 2010 starting at 10am,
 * 2/3/11 Rohrer -**

Today we built the frame built and the wheels attached. We also got the electronics laid out.
 * 2/3/11 Friis-**


 * 2/5/11 Rohrer -** Today's work session was very successful and much of the fram and electrical wiring has been completed. Thanks to our mentors and coaches Mr. Long from Bechtel and Mr. and Mrs. Shade from FIRST for helping out during this time!

