2011:2011 Integration 1-22

Drivetrain

Finalized frame rail dimensions.  Need to make sure Inventor measurements match actual wheel & frame dimensions.  Will bolt and weld corner brockets.  Most motors are ready to mount.  Encoders are mounted to the transmission. 

Arm/Manipulator

Sprockets need a bit of work to get chain to fit properly.  Parts for both arms are in, except pins for telescoping arm, which will be in Tuesday.  May need to get tube materials (appropriate sizes) - check with Harris. Must make sure to take all precautions to keep chain on sprocket(s).

Minibot/Deployer

A new idea is to have "tusks" that will swing out from the front of the robot and bracket the base of the tower, to align the robot properly.  There will be stops to keep them at the right position once they swing out.  They must be strong - this subteam needs to calculate the strength needed, for a 155 lb. robot moving at speed, so that the "tusks" don't break.

Once robot's aligned, minibot (mounted on drawer slides) will slide out to pole, driven by a motor and timing belts (or surgical tubing, gas shock, etc.).  A "V" notch will guide the minibot into position on the pole.  Minibot may be held in place by a vertical peg in the drawer, then will lift itself straight up off the peg.  Need to know the "envelope" within the robot that the minibot & drawer & slides will fit inside.

Minibot: two angled stock drive wheels, and one back wheel (which will be made of polycarbonate).  A tray on the back wheel side will hold the battery.  There may also be a "common form factor" 12x12 box that would allow us to loan the minibot to another team.  Need to figure out an "off" switch once the minibot triggers the tower.

Need to determine front load or back load (probably back load, to allow plenty of room for arm on front).

Electrical Main

Met with Programming to discuss what kinds of controls are needed.  New signal light concept: PVC wrapped with LED in various colors (blue/white/red/green).  New electrical layout with drop-pan design in drivetrain.  There's a full sensors list on the wiki now (coordinated with Programming). 

Electrical Controls

Nothing substantially new.

Programming

Need to determine positions of sensors and communicate to Electrical and Mechanical.

1-25-11

Drivetrain

Drivetrain is painted.

Arm/Manipulator

Superstructure is being built in CAD.  List of "robot frame requirements" has been created, to document all the things that interface with the frame.  Need to add extra transmission and motor for the arm to the shopping list.  Manipulator now has a mounting plate in CAD.

Minibot/Deployer

New lightweight slides about 30" long are being made for the deployer - two tracks about 6" apart.  Driven by surgical tubing (will need a long length with a pulley to keep from overstretching the tubing).  Need to control the force or the minibot will go flying!

Electrical Main

US Digital encoders for arm mechanism.  This will require a reference "home spot." 

Electrical Controls

Programming