DEWBOT IX
From DEW Robotics
Revision as of 11:11, 18 March 2013 by MaiKangWei (talk | contribs)
DEWBOT IX is FRC Team 1640's answer to the challenge of Ultimate AscentSM, FRC's 2013 game.
Contents
DEWBOT IX Build
Design Details
Strategic Objectives
- Score 30 points reliably by climbing up the outside of the pyramid
- Score the colored saucers in the pyramid goal
- Shooter
- Score in High Goal Reliably
- Score (3) pre-loaded saucers into high goal reliably in autonomous from starting position (18 points)
- Reload from feeding stations
- (4) saucer storage (magazine)
- Saucer pick-up from floor is a plus, but not essential; not a priority
- If we have the resources (after the essentials)
- If we pick-up from floor, it is not necessary to reload the magazine; we could dump
- Look for dual-use with colored saucer scoring
- Drive-train
- We expect this to be a defense-intensive game, especially in eliminations. Defenders will do what they can to slow robots traveling to and from feeding stations
- There will be a high value to a drive-train combining high traction with superior agility
Drive Train
- Due to the very strong expected defensive nature of Ultimate Ascent, we made the decision on 11-January to utilize pivot drive again. To maximize agility, Ocelot drive-train software was developed.
Control
Saucer shooting & control
Climbing
- Climbing the pyramid to score 30 points was a strategic priority, and we devoted a lot of resources to this (mind time, design time, machine time, mass, space & $s). We built an accurate, welded pyramid and a horizontal pyramid corner for testing and development purposes. Focus was on climbing the outside of the pyramid because: 1) space restrictions inside the pyramid make it impossible for two alliance partners to score 30 points inside the pyramid; 2) it was guessed that many robots which climbed would climb inside the pyramid as it seemed less difficult; and 3) climbing the pyramid outside enabled scoring in the pyramid goal.
- DEWBOT IX's caterpillar drive (cat-drive for short) was developed to climb the pyramid.
Field
Design Process
Also watch the Field Tour Videos!
Events
Pancake Breakfast
- Our AppleBee's Pancake Breakfast on 21-October-2012 raised nearly $1,000 for the team.
DAR FLL Tune-up
- The team hosted its first FIRST event, an FLL tune-up, on 3-November-2012 at Downingtown Middle School.
Downingtown Area Robotics-Penn FLL Qualifying Event - 8-December-2012
- Downingtown's first annual FIRST LEGO League Qualifying Event was held on 8 December, 2012 at Downingtown Middle School in Downingtown, PA. This competition was hosted by Downingtown Area Robotics to allow area FLL teams to compete and qualify for the Penn FLL Championship in this year's game, Senior Solutions!
Move to Oscar Way - 21-29 December 2012
- After 16 months, we bid a fond farewell to 427 Creamery Way with many thanks to Waterloo Gardens for the use of this property.
- We've moved to 122 Oscar Way, Chester Springs, PA (Eagle), very generously provided by Eagle Nurseries.
- These moves are definitely not getting any easier with time.
Hatboro-Horsham MAR District Event - 1-3 March 2013
- Our first competition of the 2013 season, and we performed quite well. We finished qualifications as 14th seed in a field of 37 and as a member of the 6th alliance we made it to semi-finals. The team received the Creativity Award sponsored by Xerox. We earned 33 MAR qualifying points.
- Not all was rosey. We were not ready to climb and didn't. Our frisbee shooting was our strong point, but this could be shut down by an upside-down frisbee in the magazine. Resolving both of these issues are priorities for Chestnut Hill.
Springside-Chestnut Hill MAR District Event - 14-16 March 2013
- 1640's 2nd MAR qualifier. We finished qualifications as 8th seed and accepted 2539's gracious invitation to join the 1st alliance. We made it to the semifinals again. The Team also received the Innovation in Control Award from Rockwell Automation for successful demonstration of our caterpillar drive.
- We earned 47 MAR qualifying points at SCH, giving us a total of 80 towards Lehigh qualification.
- DEWBOT was able to clear upside-down disks and the caterpillar drive worked, but needs to be more consistent.
Outreach
FRC 1640 mentors support MOE at Fundraiser - 1-December-2012
- Ben and Ellen Kellom, Clem & Faith McKown, Mike Rizzo and Siri Maley showed their support for FRC Team 365 at their annual wine tasting fundraiser.
Joe Morganto and Clem McKown visit Team 3123 - 15-Dec
- Joe Morganto organized a meeting with FRC Team 3123 WildCogs on 15-December-2012, also attended by Clem McKown. The meeting was set up with the purposes of learning from each other, understanding each others capabilities and how we may help each other, and to establish a basis for collaboration.
- As a next step, we will hold a strategy review between the two teams at the end of the first week of build season. We'll be looking for point for cooperative and complimentary design and/or tactics.
Projects
Rebranding
We're in the process of selecting a new logo and motto, among other items, to unite around a stronger team brand. We're keeping our name and colors (and our award-winning performance, of course!) to stay recognizable.
Shop Organization
Okay. Shop organization has not hitherto been a strong suit for Team 1640. But things change. We spent far too much time looking for things last year.
Wheel Friction Coefficients
FRC 1640 has had a drive-train mathematical model since 2008. Wheel-to-floor friction coefficient is (not surprisingly) an important variable in this model. We've also got a pivot drive-train which provides both agility with traction and enables the use of high traction wheels without sacrificing agility. So friction coefficients are important to us and can provide a competitive advantage (with pivot). But we haven't measured friction coefficients since 2009 (Lunacy). With a new range of wheel options available, it was time to generate this important data.
6WD Testbed
We built a 6WD chassis as a testbed and a OPFOR robot. Why? Because:
- pivot's not always the answer and we need to keep our eyes & minds open;
- You can't be too rich, too thin, or have too many robot testbeds;
- Our last/only 6WD robot was DEWBOT V (2009) and we've lost all driver-relevant institutional knowledge concerning 6WD drive-trains;
- Most of our allies and opponents will be using 6WD (or 8WD,...);
- Our drivers should know how 6WD robots drive; and
- How to work with or against them in competition.
Teams
Skill-set (discipline) Qualifications
- Skill-set, or discipline training and qualifications exist for the purpose of developing skills and knowledge within a specific arena (or discipline). Qualified students are better able to contribute to the robot's design and construction. By the way, you'll likely find these skills useful more generally than just to build DEWBOT IX. Students are allowed and encouraged to qualify in more than one Discipline. Discipline qualifications are mentor-driven, but highly-qualified students may lead training.
Working Teams
People
Team Sab-BOT-age is what it is only due to the efforts of the people involved. DEWBOT VIII's success will be in the hands of the students, mentors and parents engaged. The team's very existence is possible only through the gracious generosity of our sponsors.
Chairman's Award
See our other robots in the Robot Archives.
