Build Season
Week 1 Saturday 1/11
We had 22 team members attend the kickoff at the University of Portland. On Saturday and Sunday we built the goals and cross beam of the field. It is set up just outside the shop. The team members played the game and established a game strategy. We want to build a robot that can score the 1 point and 10 point goals. It will pick up balls off the playing field. And we want it to be strong enough to push other robots around and hold our ground if pushed (win the tug of war). We discussed different types of designs, built some unsuccessful prototypes and are currently drawing up and constructing two shooter prototypes. The electrical crew is looking at putting the electronics on a tray that fits under the shooter. They will be evaluating this and other possibilities after the design is set. By Tuesday we need to have a final decision on the robot design. Vicky has a crew that is revamping the pit.
There are about 16 team members regularly participating in the work sessions. There is a schedule change. On Saturdays pancakes will be started at 8AM and Saturday work session will begin at 9AM.
The web page www.team3812.org is up and running..
We are also in the initial planning stages of our Blues Brothers Concert and one parent has made room reservations for our trip to the CWU competition in Ellensburg. We have had a great response from the parents in supporting the team. They have driven kids around, bought material, provided meals and other behind the scenes work.
We are off to a good start to the 2014 season.
Next Steps: On Tuesday we will make final decisions on bot design. Then we will finalize drawings and start the actual construction. Remember we are building bot 1 and bot 2 at same time. Do we have bot 1 named yet? Business team should be designing themed t-shirts. Web page to be updated with 2014 info.
Week 2 Saturday 1/18
We started the week with some prototyping shooters and picker uppers. The designers got to drawing, ideas people ideating and workers working. Also the spirit group worked on revamping our pit. The drive team started working on trains for bot 1 and bot 2.
On Tuesday our prototypes were tested and the team made decisions on what the bot will look like and do. Then the four mechanical teams got their assignments. The Picker team, Shooter team, Defensive team and the Drive team. The Programming rookies are in training each day. Parts for the drive trains were delivered, awaiting for belts now.
On Saturday the team member turnout was too low to fully function so we combined mechanical teams, the focus was on the shooter and getting some defensive direction. The teams did a lot of cutting, threading and machining. By the end of the day the shooter shot the ball. The Electrical team started getting the electrical components arranged. And the Drive train team has two frames built.
Next steps:
Pickers – get the picker working
Shooters - get the shooter to lengthen out the shot.
Defense – Have some designs to look at
Drives – get the drive trains fully functional
Electrical – get electronics designed and work with drive train to get it running
Programmers – program the drive train and shooter
Web Page – get it totally updated this week
Spirit – need more people to help this group
Week 3 Saturday 1/25
A 10 point goal!
The week was compounded by lower than expected attendance. We had to adjust teams and some teams were shutdown for the day so the other teams could complete their work.
The shooter team kept adjusting the catapult design. Lots of work and several different people helped out. On Saturday they were able to make a 10 point goal. Video on web site documents the event.
The drive train is not done yet. They need to finish it on Monday.
The electrical team is making their electrical board in preparation to installing it on the drive train. We need to get the train running soon.
The picker team is going to plan B since motors for plan A are out of stock. They are making the scoop picker upper.
The defense team is still finalizing their design.
The programming team is assisting the shooters to make the shooter work. They are also programming the drive train. Rookies are also training each Day also.
The spirit team continues to work on the pit.
As a side activity, the team is starting up a JrFLL team or two.
This is the halfway point of the build season. Our master schedule has us completing the bot by next Saturday.
We will have an Open House on Monday, February 17th. Coach Koenig will be working with the parents to plan out the evening.
Team 3812, Bits & Bots, is a five-year-old FRC team that is based in Longview, Washington. Currently, the team is operated through the Longview School District within Mark Morris High School; however, any student located in Cowlitz County is welcome to join. To learn more about us, click here.
