To see all of them, go to this folder in my photobucket account.
If you want any others direct-linked on this post, let me know.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Kickoff photos
I know I'm late with these, but I got a work order from Mosher to post some photos taken at the kickoff day.
To see all of them, go to this folder in my photobucket account.
If you want any others direct-linked on this post, let me know.
To see all of them, go to this folder in my photobucket account.
If you want any others direct-linked on this post, let me know.
Master Prototyping Ideas thread
This post allows for a central comment section for ideas for robot prototypes.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, Octobere 6, 2009
Got the old robot out of storage and reconfigured the brain to operate its existing motors properly. Hashed out ideas for dealing with the CO2 beach balls. Prototype constrictor gripper demonstrated. Next meeting, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Steven, signing off.
Steven, signing off.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Brainstormed gripper ideas. Ben has a crab-claw-type gripper design he's drawn (no prototype yet).
-- If you have gripper ideas, please try to construct a prototype to help the team understand your idea! --
Using IGUS chain to create a boa constrictor-type device to retract around the beach ball is another idea.
Next meeting: inventory of consumable/returnable products. Brainstorm gripper ideas, create design matrix... consider the benefits of each design versus their flaws. Meeting Wed. Oct 7, 7:30 p.m.
Steven, signing off.
-- If you have gripper ideas, please try to construct a prototype to help the team understand your idea! --
Using IGUS chain to create a boa constrictor-type device to retract around the beach ball is another idea.
Next meeting: inventory of consumable/returnable products. Brainstorm gripper ideas, create design matrix... consider the benefits of each design versus their flaws. Meeting Wed. Oct 7, 7:30 p.m.
Steven, signing off.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, Oct 1, 2009
Mosher: Hooked up large motors to an old chassis of a previous robot. Josh familiarized himself with the BEST BRAIN programming with Russ. Ted, Tex, and Nicole went over possible game strategies with Jim (Ted will update notebook later). Zach and Ben mounted large motors and connected them to the BRAIN. Next meeting, Monday 7:30.
T-SHIRT IDEAS WELCOME
Steven signing off.
T-SHIRT IDEAS WELCOME
Steven signing off.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday Meeting, Sept. 30, 2009
(Reminder, Public Library late fees start tomorrow! Just FYI)
More details from the guys who went to kickoff. Discussed the equations referenced in the game rules. The scoring system seems to be a base four, meaning four water is equivalent to one catalyst, four catalysts equals one energy, four energies equals one carbon dioxide, four CO2's = 1 ethylene, 4 ethylenes = 1 benzene, 4 benzenes = 1 naphtha, 4 naphthas = 1 isooctane (making one isooctane equal to 512 waters). Theory: 2 CO2 + 3 ethylene per round would give us 1040 points, a base goal to shoot for, according to Matthew.
Then everyone broke off into subgroups, motor testing, computer work, and general conversation. Not a terribly large amount we can do as yet.
UPDATE: The brain bench test download was successful, Blake's laptop works!
So that's about all you missed.
This is Mass Media, AKA Steven, signing off.
More details from the guys who went to kickoff. Discussed the equations referenced in the game rules. The scoring system seems to be a base four, meaning four water is equivalent to one catalyst, four catalysts equals one energy, four energies equals one carbon dioxide, four CO2's = 1 ethylene, 4 ethylenes = 1 benzene, 4 benzenes = 1 naphtha, 4 naphthas = 1 isooctane (making one isooctane equal to 512 waters). Theory: 2 CO2 + 3 ethylene per round would give us 1040 points, a base goal to shoot for, according to Matthew.
Then everyone broke off into subgroups, motor testing, computer work, and general conversation. Not a terribly large amount we can do as yet.
UPDATE: The brain bench test download was successful, Blake's laptop works!
So that's about all you missed.
This is Mass Media, AKA Steven, signing off.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Meeting: Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
Introductions took place. Basic first meeting stuff. The basic game premise: Took an awful long time for them to explain it. Robot needs a good grip (able to grab a beach ball). Find something that can grip and place effectively. Mathematics a must here, adding the types of balls used. Have to be able to pick up tennis balls, cans of tomato paste, paint cans, etc. (I don't know, start coming to the freaking meetings, flakes.) Later I'll try to add the specs in the useful links section, so keep an eye out for that. Try checking out the BEST website for the specs.
Each team, as has been the case in previous years (last year anyway) , had their own separate quadrant in which to primarily work. The specifics are actually pretty hard to discuss on a text blog. Again, I recommend you try to make it to the next meeting. It would really help.
We'll try to focus on bench testing the BRAIN before we get to the nitty gritty. If you missed the meeting, it's a good idea to check out the official game rules. Make sure you do that, it'll get you up to speed by the next meeting. Pay particular attention to the section explaining the equations, and remember that 1) H2 spare molecules are wasted and cannot be reused (water acts as H2) and 2) the "promotion" aspect (4 of one type of molecule equals one of the next highest molecule).
Preliminary strategy includes that the robot might bring materials over to the off-load area, where the spotter may move the materials into the processing section. That seems the fastest strategy.
The largest problem seems to be putting the beach balls on the paint cans. Try to consider ways to significantly facilitate this process.
Delegations:
Matthew, Brandon, Ted, Nicole - Game Strategy
Josh - Programming
Steven - Communications [like this blog!]
German Tex - Gripper/Chassis/whatever else he decides he wants to work on
Zach - Game Floor
This seems like about everything worth discussing.
Steven (AKA Mass Media) signing off.
Try to make it to the Wednesday meeting!
Each team, as has been the case in previous years (last year anyway) , had their own separate quadrant in which to primarily work. The specifics are actually pretty hard to discuss on a text blog. Again, I recommend you try to make it to the next meeting. It would really help.
We'll try to focus on bench testing the BRAIN before we get to the nitty gritty. If you missed the meeting, it's a good idea to check out the official game rules. Make sure you do that, it'll get you up to speed by the next meeting. Pay particular attention to the section explaining the equations, and remember that 1) H2 spare molecules are wasted and cannot be reused (water acts as H2) and 2) the "promotion" aspect (4 of one type of molecule equals one of the next highest molecule).
Preliminary strategy includes that the robot might bring materials over to the off-load area, where the spotter may move the materials into the processing section. That seems the fastest strategy.
The largest problem seems to be putting the beach balls on the paint cans. Try to consider ways to significantly facilitate this process.
Delegations:
Matthew, Brandon, Ted, Nicole - Game Strategy
Josh - Programming
Steven - Communications [like this blog!]
German Tex - Gripper/Chassis/whatever else he decides he wants to work on
Zach - Game Floor
This seems like about everything worth discussing.
Steven (AKA Mass Media) signing off.
Try to make it to the Wednesday meeting!
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