2014 FRC Build Season

FRC Kickoff

On Saturday, January 4^th, Andrea, Becky, and I attended the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) kickoff at McKinley High School at 5:30 AM. This event kicks off the six week build period for FRC teams around the world.

We arrived at McKinley High with plenty of time before the kickoff video. Photo by Andrea.

We got good seats in the middle of the auditorium.

Photo by Madi.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week One

On Sunday, January 5^th, I lead an all-day systems engineering exercise that resulted in a concept design for a robot that has 100% buy-in from all stakeholders. We followed the BCR Systems Engineering approach.

Students sketch a concept design.

On Monday night, Andrea fixed dinner for the robotics team. Here a student works on CAD.

The controls team assembles a testbed.

This year's game object, a two foot diameter ball, is in the foreground.

The mechanical designers at work.

A wooden prototype of our shooter is in progress.

Here the electrical team is at work.

The ball intake prototype is tested.

We had 22 for dinner at Kalani Robotics in the evening.

Robot work after dinner at the Robotics lab.

Students assemble the pit structure for an upgrade evaluation.

Testing the shooter prototype.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week Two

Starting week two on Saturday, January 11^th we had a working prototype shooter and completed CAD for the drive frame.

I photographed my hand calculations for the shooter pneumatics on Saturday.

Wayland gave a welding safety briefing.

On Sunday the high goal field element for robot testing was done.

On Monday night I took this video of our prototype shooter scoring.

Students at work Tuesday evening.

The team at work. Wednesday, January 15^th.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week Three

Starting week three on Saturday, January 18^th we had a welded frame and working wheel encoders.

Part preparations for welding and CAD.

Electrical and programming work on electronics CAD and vision system for "hot" detection.

Wayland adds a shooter interface to the frame.

A student learns welding.

We start each session with a status meeting.

Assembling bumpers.

Robotics team members work on the robot.

Drilling holes in the robot frame.

Making bumpers and programming.

Programming team at work. Tuesday, January 21^st.

Painting the team number on the bumpers.

Putting tread on the wheels.

Getting ready to weld.

Setting up a weld.

The robotics lab was humming Wedesday, January 22^nd.

ZJ made the first rendering of our 2014 robot on Thursday, January 23^rd.

Talon User Manual (PDF).

Bill came to the robotics lab on Thursday and took some videos.

Bill also assisted Zack in storyboard ideas for the Chairman's Award video.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week Four

Starting week four on Saturday, January 25^th we had completed wheels, bumpers, and catapult frame.

I went into Robotics for an hour on Saturday, the first day of week four.

Cleaning gearbox parts.

Dyeing the pit structure tubes red. Sunday, January 26^th.

Monday evening we have a robot being assembled!

Bumper installation is underway Tuesday evening.

Zack videos Darius in the foreground while others work on the robot. Wednesday, January 29^th.

Kevin and ZJ install the newly-assembled motor transmissions.

Electrical team at work. Thursday, January 30^th.

Danielle files a weld on the shooter catapult frame.

Students spray painted the frame and shooter Friday night. Photo by Kevin.

Photo by Kevin.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week Five

Saturday was a work day that was extended to start two hours early, at 10 AM. Sunday, Groundhog Day, February 2^nd, was also Superbowl Sunday.

Sunday, February 2^nd. Photo by Kevin.

Andrea brought dinner for the team on Monday night. February 3^rd.

The robot is coming along.

Photo by ZJ. Tuesday, February 4^th.

Assembling the new pit structure. Banners go on the upper portion first. Wednesday, February 5^th.

The upper structure is put on top of the lower structure.

It looks good with the banners.

Working on the robot.

Working on the robot. Thursday, February 6^th.

Electrical and pneumatics work begins in earnest. Friday, February 7^th.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Week Six

The final week of the build season started with a nearly fully mechanical assembly with electronics and pneumatics installations well underway.

Installing pneumatic lines. The robot still needs mechanical stops for the shooter and intake to protect the pneumatic
cylinders from overstress. A cable (wire rope) system is being considered. Saturday, February 8^th.

Starting work on the robot. Monday, February 10^th.

Rolled out the test carpet and assembling the pit structure.

It's a fine looking robot.

And a fine looking pit structure.

The last mechanical operation on the robot. Tuesday, February 11^th.

The robot shoots!

Shoots again!

Wednesday evening students put some finising touches on the robot.

Thursday evening students get ready for autonomous program testing.

Driving practice! The robot looks and runs like it was professionally designed and built: all by students.

Kalani Robotics Build Season Ship Week

This week the Robot was prepared to be shipped on Wednesday morning after the six week build period.

Refurbishing the robot after the Wailua scrimmage on Friday night. Monday, February 17^th.

Getting the robot ready for autonomy testing. It started raining so we moved the test area to under the shelter by the office.

At the front of the school. The plaque says "Sign - Lighting Presented by the Class of 1961." The sign is back-lit by neon
tubes that no longer work.

Testing autonomy at the office area. I saw them score three in a row before I left later in the evening.

We have a very fine looking robot this year.

Posing with the safety board. Tuesday, February 18^th.

Putting up the pit structure one last time before packing the crate.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com