Championship Robot Changes

[freds]

Ok, here are my thoughts. There are about 86 teams per division, quite a lot more than the Peachtree or Palmetto. Competion begins Thursday at 1pm. We are not going to miss any qualification rounds.

What do we need to do
-I know we need to make two new alum. shafts for the polycarb backplate. Needs to be cut and drilled - Tuesday.
-Replace PDU, power distribution board. We have been using a lot of battery power, a lot. I want to replace the PDU board with a new one, a new wire from the PDU to the on/of disconnect switch and the switch itself.
-Should we replace the toy motor on the shift gearbox with a cim? If so, lets pick on out on Tuesday and be absolutely sure it has the proper gear/spacers on it, and then be sure we have spare CIMs ready for this gearbox and/or the drive train.
-Do we know where the materials are to mount the polycarb protection tops, sides, etc?
-WE ARE GOING THROUGH INSPECTION ON WEDNESDAY EVENING

-So, there is some work on a new deflector.....
These are my thoughts.
-If we could not pickup balls and then shoot towards a goal, then it would be better than nothing
-We can pick up balls and shoot towards our goal, so I do not want anything to impede our driver's vision.
-I guess if there are no balls in the center field, then yes it might be advantageous to just bounce a ball back into our endzone, but which is better, just an indirect bounce back or a defined kick?
-What is this going to do to our COG. I DO NOT WANT TO TIP OVER GOING OVER THE BUMP!
-PolyCarb material. We do not own any 27" wide material. There are two pieces of 23" x 36" material at my office from the underdrive field. It could be used.
-How thick polycarb? If we do anything, we are going to use the poly that flexes to bend. We will not have the ability to heat and bend anything worthwhile on Wednesday.
-Buy some polycarb. IDK, I might could get some during Tuesdays meeting, but I do not think that would be best use of my time. Buy on Wednesday. Maybe, but when would it get cut?

Our goal is to win. I am very concerned with this polycarb back plate. I have some concerns in changing the winch motor to a cim and programming. I do not want to turn over.

Fred

[freds]

and the BOM, updated BOM

[Michael Kapp]

With regards to the polycarbonate, we need:
53" for the top/front. this needs to be 27" wide.
44" x 27" for the back
a 57 x 37" piece, which will be cut into left and right sides.

It should probably be 1/8 inch thick.

We need it Tuesday. I don't think it would be wise to wait until wednesday to put this together.

Regarding the center of mass shift, it will be shifted up approximately 3.1". it would be less than half that if we were using PVC instead of 8020 to support it, but we aren't. We still have 2" to spare afterwards without falling on the bump. besides, we can move the compressor forward which will help COM slightly.

With regards to the backing flap shafts, I'm not sure we have any more 1/4" aluminum shafts. Does anyone know?

[freds]

Can you get those dimensions from a 4x8 sheet?

What does this do to weight?

Did you calculate COG including the weight of the polycarb?

Raising the COG 3" up might just be the end. I have seen us try to tip already going over the bump. With some upper leve mass and momentum.................

[Michael Kapp]

Can you get those dimensions from a 4x8 sheet?

What does this do to weight?

Did you calculate COG including the weight of the polycarb?

Raising the COG 3" up might just be the end. I have seen us try to tip already going over the bump. With some upper leve mass and momentum.................

We would nee two 4 x 8 sheets to cover this.

this will increase weight by approximately 4 pounds.

This calculation did account for the weight of 1/8" polycarbonate, not 1/4", which would raise COM by another 1/3" or so.

According to physics calculations, It should not tip, but then again, these are approximations. Neglecting linear inertia of the robot (I cannot determine how negligible this is), our COM is within its acceptable range by 2". Once again, I would like to use PVC instead of 8020 to hold the plexi, so as not to affect our COM so much, but I was outvoted.

[Sunny]

I'll be honest, I'm extremely indifferent to the whole backing idea. I have to say that the plexi stuff we have now did not impair my vision one bit, but I'm not sure how the larger structure would affect my vision.

The more I think about it, the more we have to do.

Power Distribution Board - Tanner and I can do that in roughly 20 minutes.
Encoder - We can mount the encoder in a matter of seconds and have it ready in another 5-10 minutes of tweaking.
Replacing the Backing - I think this might take roughly 10-20 minutes of diligent working. Although I'm not entirely sure if the backing *shaft* goes in an out nicely...
Replacing the Motor - This would involve taking off the winch, detaching the rope from the winch, and then actually switching out the motors. Maybe 20-30 minutes...

The above seems to be enough to keep us occupied for a while. The Replacing the motor and replacing the backing can be done simultaneously, but the PDB will need it's own time because can't really work on it upside down.

If we can't get the lexan cut/prepped tomorrow, then it's not even worth it to buy some on Wednesday. I don't want to be stressed by having to do something half heartedly, and then not have it perform that well at all.

- Sunny

[freds]

Encoder. I had forgotten. We need to make sure we have all these pieces in a 'care package'.

I hope we can change the winch motor without removal of the winch. The mounting screws might be accessible.

We could switch to a team of 2 mentors 3 students - we can discuss with Rutland.

Deflector: Kapp says 2 4x8sheets of polycarbonate would be needed. I do not know the price. I would have to call Howards and have them order it. We can have it precut, which costs extra. I do not know what the cost would be, but I would estimate $50 per sheet with a $20 cutting fee. The place is local, over by Motorola, but I do not know the lead time. You guys need to run this by Mrs. Rutland. My understanding is some members will not be at the meeting today as they are working on schoolwork that they will be missing. IF, if this is done, it needs to be totally fabricated at school, not in the pits. 80/20 vs pvc - sounds like it has not been designed yet.

COG - not sure where our COG is, 'center wise' but does it change it also so it is more towards the front or back?

[freds]

Kapp, are you sure on polycarb weight? I calculate a 4x8 sheet to be about 25 pounds. A 0.125" poly weighs like 0.789pounds per sq foot.

[Sunny]

We also have spare window motors. The window motor on the robot gets very "angry" during matches. I think we really need to replace that, but that can be done after inspection.

Also, if we can, I think it'd be good to have some of that freeze spray stuff that 343 loaned to us. It'll help take some of the strain off the motors when they get especially warm, especially that window motor.

- Sunny

[Tanner]

Also, if we can, I think it'd be good to have some of that freeze spray stuff that 343 loaned to us. It'll help take some of the strain off the motors when they get especially warm, especially that window motor.

As far as I know, Dad already ordered some compressed air "air in a can".

-Tanner