Roller

Last night, we finished casting the roller and removed it from the mold. We have also finished laser cutting for our "autobot" module and only have waterjetting and milking the aluminum plate sides to accomplish for the module.

Body Construction update

Despite some problems with the laser cutter and its offset we are now back on schedule with the body of Autobot. The top was manufactured fine, but sometime in between the cutting of the top and sides the offset was altered, messing up the cuts and preventing them from fitting perfectly with the top and from fitting the shafts for the wheels. We fortunately had enough acrylic left over to redo the side cuts which are now as perfect as we can get them. We'll post pictures soon.

On a side note we've finished the soldering of the wires to the drive motors of Autobot and will be finishing those connecting Decepticon to Autobot tonight.

progress

tension pulleys and hubs (now assembled)


main pulleys/wheels and axles

casting the roller

Updated Schedule and To-Do list

We have updated our calendar with expected times of completion for the remaining parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. We are still waiting on our piece of 1/8th" aluminum from McMaster Carr. Once this is received, we will be able to complete the manufacturing and assembly of the body of Autobot. Because we were slow to receive this piece, our completion of the two machines were pushed back to the end of the week instead of our goal completion time which would have been mid-week.

Our to-do list includes (Overall):

- Finish manufacturing and assembly of roller (should be completed by tonight 11/28)

- Order last electrical parts needed for roller timer (11/28)

- Review dimensions of Decepticon, manufacture and assemble (11/30)

- Timer circuit assembled for roller (12/2)

- Attach motors to bots and attach lead wires to motors, everything electrical complete (12/2)

- Autobot and Decepticon completed (12/2)

- Blog post that includes recap of completion of both bots as well as video (12/6)

- Bots are inspected and held until competition (12/7)

- Debugging and practice maneuvering the machines (12/2-12/7)

- Individual Reflections (12/12)

*dates in parentheses are expected completion dates

First pulley and insert mated

Who needs a press when you have a text book and a table? It pressed in securely and centered. All good so far.

Team Logo

Most Critical Module Completion

We chose our drive train to be our Most Critical Module because without motion, our bot would not be able to carry out our strategy or get any points, which would lead to instant defeat. For our drive train, we decided to have a tread system. This system would help with traction when trying to climb the back of the arena, while still ensuring maneuverability. We were able to complete our engineering for our Most Critical Module by the due date of November 11. This included the solid models, part drawings, bill of materials, and analysis. From November 11 until November 21, more calculations were done, some specs for the parts of the MCM were adjusted, and we were able to manufacture 3 parts in time for the MS7 due date of November 21. The parts that we manufactured to our specifications and drawings were two sets of pulleys, which we made using 3D printing, and our tensioner shafts, which we used the lathe and drilling processes to manufacture. These parts were checked off in lab and met the specifications of the edited drawings.



As for future machining and progress on our bot, since we have completed our manufacturing for our MCM (drive train), the next component of Autobot that we are going to be working on is the roller. The roller will be molded out of silicon. The mold that we will be using for this is going to be made by a 3D printer to the specifications we desire. We will also be creating the roller insert, which stiffens the roller and transmits the driving force.






Here are two images of the components of the roller that we will be manufacturing.

There will be some difficulty due to Thanksgiving break, but our group has been good about communicating and determining times to meet that would cause minimal conflicts. Pictures of the molding process and construction of the roller component of Autobot will be posted shortly after the roller has been completed.

Calendar

Strategy

Our strategy is a complex one. We have two individual robots instead of a single one. They operate independently of each other to accomplish different tasks quicker than a single bot designed for both tasks could do them. The robots are codenamed Autobot and Decepticon.



Autobot:
The main bot. This robot is responsible for collecting balls and depositing them in the scoring hole; a task most of the bots are used for.It starts by picking up the balls on the front of the table and depositing them into the scoring hole. It then drives up the stairs to reach the balls on the upper portion of the table. After acquiring those balls, Autobot drives back down the stairs and deposits them into the scoring hole.
Autobot utilizes a drop-six belt drive-train, enabling the bot to drive with a large amount of grip (thanks to the belt) yet not scrub when turning. Also, the belt drive allows Autobot to climb the stairs with much greater grip and therefore speed by evening out the stairs and allowing Autobot to climb them like they were a ramp.
Autobot has a roller mounted on the front. The roller is large and easily compressed in order to mold itself around the balls as it sucks them in and grip them more securely. Autobot's underside is open, so that when it drives over the scoring hole it automatically deposits the balls into the hole.



Deception:
Decepticon is (dare I say it) deceptively simple. Decepticon is simply a plate a little larger than the scoring hole with the double gearbox mounted underneath along with a couple sliders in the front for driving. Decepticon is designed to drive into the opponent's scoring hole and block it upon Autobot's scoring of its first ball. Once Decepticon is in place, it can not be easily removed due to the sliders and gearbox preventing horizontal movement. Once entrenched, Decepticon is very low to the ground and most bots would simply drive over it, preventing other bots from simply knocking it out of the hole.
Decepticon is connected to Autobot through a line trailing from its rear end made up of four electrical wires to transmit power and control from Autobot to Decepticon. This wire will attach to Autobot with a spool, but will largely start off uncoiled on the table in order to allow for quick and easy separation between the two bots.