2011:2/8/2011
Drivetrain
Nothing new! No needs, nothing to deliver to anyone. Bumpers are coming along - need to cut pool noodles and figure out what to do with cloth.
Arm/Manipulator and Minibot/Deployer
Nothing new - making drawings and parts. (Parts are being made today at Harris.) Interfacing with electrical borad. Deployer is mounted on frame in CAD. The "dustpan" guard for the minibot is in CAD. One structural plate needs redesign because the arm will hit it. Still working on how to fold down the "dustpan" - probably with a gatelatch and servo (gravity should make it flop down when it's released, and it will stop when it hits the legs of the frame). Need to work with Electrical on what servo to use. Will need to make sure deployer won't go by accident if the robot takes a hard hit; also MUST have a pinning mechanism for safety, when the robot is being transported, in the pits, etc.
Electrical Main
Have made 3 different trial control boards. Location of the on/off switch still needs to be fixed (will probably go near the battery). May move the gyro to integrate with the light structure. May need to move the Jaguars. Things are still a bit in flux! Working on ideas for protecting the wires at the "elbow" of the arm.
Electrical Controls
Wiring
Programming
Working