Cody and I worked on modeling the lift drive system. Looks like we have a solution. We will need to make some simple brackets tonight and hopefully machine the drive shaft. Putting a hex end on the drive shaft may require the use of the right angle rotary table on the mill. Oh goodie!

Pulley design was also worked on and hopefully we'll turn some samples to try that out tonight.

today we went over chasis and camera mounting options .... we researched on the teams and color cordnation. we set up plans to test distance formulas for the camera. James worded on the gyro chips and acceleramitor.

The elevator was decided to be made out of mainly lexan with a bit of aluminum at the bottom for support. It took a while to get all the dimensions right, but we finally got it. We cut and assembled most of the elevator and it looks promising. The entry way for the ball to enter the hopper has also been made.It gives a 25" opening for the feeder wheel to go across. The encoder mounts have been made on the rapid prototyper.

http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/372192b.pdf

Take a look and let's determine if we can use it.

Found it on Chief Delphi tonight.

Today we finished the turret and have it ballin. We also talked about the turning of the turret. We are thinking about using a globe motor which spins at about 200rpms but we are wanting to gear it so it is in the 20rpm range. In order to do this we discovered that we need a gear that is 1/10 of the circumference of the turret. After doing the calculations we found that the gear needs to have a circumference of 4.75 (dia=1.6). This will make it so that the turret can make 1 revolution in 3 seconds.

Cody Simmons

Dean suggested that I post this team's prototype "hopper" in light of some of our own hopper design woes. It works incredibally well and is simple to design and construct. (lightweight too)

*Warning this is a youtube link and will not work at school

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbjGpiIpOn0

I know we already have a theme for the year, but I have seen that most folks name their robots. I know that things you invest time into seem to take on their own personality. Has our 'bot developed a personality yet? Considering the design, what characteristics could give it it's name?

Is it a Dalek (non Dr. Who fans see link)? Is it "the schnoz"? Is it "the sniper?"

Let's see some chatter and ideas for a name that matches the characteristics of the 'bot.

The Link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalek

Ok, this is for everyone. I know there are folks on the team that are thinking about driving this beast. With that we need to determine what the best style of control will be.

We have used the xbox controllers in the past with great success. It gives the drivers a degree of movement flexibility. We can use the joysticks from the kit of parts, but we need a drivers station set up to handle them.

If we decide to use something other than the joysticks from the kit of parts, then we need ideas and fast of what we are going to use, especially if we need to order them.

Electrical, can we get a sample of the encoder output, or a test bed one set up so we can get a test signal to code to?

What about other sensors? Software, we need to have a final list on Thursday if we can. With some of the major things of the camera behind us now, we need to move forward and finalize the last of the software design.

I think the goal is to by the end of Sat have a working drive model with proper controls to the driver. So be ready to work hard! I see two teams on Sat, one working with the encoder input, and one working the drive system design.

Thanks to all who stuck around last night and finished cutting and prepping the chassis material! This is what real engineering is sometimes like: To stay on schedule you often have to give the extra effort. The resukt is that the chassis parts could be delivered to the weld shop this morning (done!) and we should have the chassis on Saturday.

Those of you that worked on the ball shooter did some fine work, too. I saw the rest of the turret parts this morning. The 6mm groove for the bearings was about to be cut. They will be done later today. I will make the retainer clips for it tonight.

Good to see the beast coming together! Dig deep and let's get the system integrated.

Ian, we need to start doing electrical...

Dean

Today we made an estimate of the lengths of 1"x1"x1/8" angle aluminum to order material. Our parts will be ordered by tomorrow for Saturday. I have also started to model the hopper and ball manipulator to more detail.