Solidworks robot (Without Arm)

Crusty Coding

This monday consisted of another round of heuristics as we went about the trial and error process of coding our robot and running more tests. The day's results weren't half bad though as calibrations get closer still to what it is that we need to get done to complete the next challenge. Also, I've personally begun to develop a better grasp on coding as the responsibilities are being changed around a little, and as a team we're all getting a taste of something different.

Deskjob

This Friday came along productively as usual, with some decent coding progress being made as we get ready for the next challenge. The day was spent coding and testing out instructions for the robot's ability to autonomously complete the next challenge.

Working Out The Kinks

This Monday was a productive one with several technical issues concerning our robot being resolved. After a good amount of time spent experimenting with the wiring we found that it in fact was not the problem, the code was. So, after some renovation concerning the code we got our robot up and moving fully once again.

Grinding To a Halt

This Friday provided for some challenges in that we found one of the motors on our robot's frame was not functioning properly, as well as other parts of the robot losing mobility due to what we believe are electrical faults. It was a little rough finding a suitable motor and working everything into place but, it's always good to have something to do.

Working Things Into Place

Today was a day of testing and tweaking with the arm on our robot again, working out kinks as they come along. Easy day. Moving on, to make the movements more controlled we are looking to attach a counterweight to the back of the arm. Another thing we're looking to put into shape is the wiring situation, make everything more responsive.

Easy Day

It was an easy day today being that the clawbot was fully built and its arm was now fully functional and able to complete what it had to do. We went over its functions a few more times and decided to let the little guy rest after some inspection to the body. Here's pictures.

Tightening Up

Just another day at the office today with bringing together all the necessary parts along with continually speculating and experimenting with our design. The arm itself appears to present a bit more of a challenge than just a square chassis but, knowledge and tenacity, as I was told at one point, solve everything. All we have to do here is keep working from the bottom up.

Redistributing The Weight

Today we began a new build that involved restructuring the previous squarebot chassis to make room for an arm. We're in the process of trying out new designs and relocating some of the features to make a very efficient and functional new body for our robot. The current progress we have is a little bare-bones, but, all in good time.

Repair And Replace

Today the amount of team members available was cut in half, with one of us helping another group catch up and another still being missing entirely. But, this allowed for a change of pace and for the remaining members, Devin and I, to look over the body again finding two bend axles. Of course the work of replacing them was done quickly and efficiently. I really enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together, at my own pace anyways.

A Bump In The Road

This week began successfully enough with the completion of the robot's body and attaining it's full function and mobility. Now the next step is to get the coding right so as to send the robot on the right course, and so we have found an obstacle. But, that's fine, making minor adjustments one at a time and running trial and error processes the right pattern of code will soon be found and put into motion.

Coping With Coding

This week we plan to finish our robot entirely. We have successfully built the body and surprisingly in good time also. We are now proceeding to do the coding of the robot and testing the motors.
We ran into a minor inconvenience and had to restart the coding from the beginning.

Adjusting motors to our robot

Programming our robot.

Square Bot

Today the square bot's entire body was successfully put together and now the only thing left to do is to program both the brain and controller to get this thing moving. Here are some pictures of the completed robot and the next steps moving forward as far as rigging up the brain and attaching the battery to the chassis.

Pulling Ourselves Together.

With everything we need now consolidated and fitting in with the directions for the "square bot" build we're finally ready to move forward. Never rushing the process and maintaining a good eye for detail as we keep reference handy. Each part has its place and nothing will be missed or put to waste, until then, here's us continuing to work.

Bits And Pieces

Here's the start of our assembly of the "square bot" chassis. Having consolidated all the necessary parts it's now just a matter of sorting through everything bit by bit and patiently bringing it together. We aim to do this right the first time, even if that means not quite rushing the pace of this build.

Raw Materials

Here is the first step in building what will hopefully be a very functional robot, but first, we need the raw materials. And with that in mind we got to work today pulling apart the old, previously built models and putting into inventory all of the scraps and components we'll need for later. Here's some of how that went.

Getting Started

So after Breaking the record for the most badges (67) and going through all the presentations we are finally getting started. Are goals for the week are to clean out our new cart and also finish dismembering the previous robot for parts.

Here we are breaking down the robot.

We are also learning about the parts and where they go by doing this.

Monday Coding

Here's our first day in applying our present coding knowledge to
the virtual worlds present in ROBOTC. As you can see we're figuring out the basic movement patterns of the virtual robot. We are also writing more and more complex code to better guide it along.



   

New Arrivals

A new member has appeared, Devin Taylor. As you can see by the picture he is hard at work. I have basic knowledge of html and java script. My future robot is a catapult that has capabilities to launch even the heaviest objects. I have big plans to contribute to this team in any way possible.

First Steps

Today we began to work on RobotC in an attempt to program robots to run an obstetrical course in virtual worlds.

New Beginnings

Here we have the beginning of what will be something great. The establishment of our team and how well we get along is a great omen for how this project is going to go. Here we have the establishment of our blog and promotion of all members to admin status. And so it begins.