2/14 - Tick-Tock

<< For some fun, check out our tote draggin' strategy >>

The countdown continues here at ORyon Labs (Rice University). We plan to shift to Strake Jesuit later today or tomorrow to hold driver practice on the 2015 FRC field (our Alliance just completed assembling the field elements). On Monday, some of our veteran members and drivers-in-training will skip school to spend a day at Strake on the field to tweak out final adjustments to the competition robot.

Programming

Programming continued to consult with mentors and our 2015 FRC Season drivers to maximize user efficiency and therein score the most points on the board. They also explored the option of assigning joystick buttons to totes, which is definitely useful in the non-autonomous scoring time.

Mechanical + CAD + Electrical

While a preliminary robot photo shoot occurred in the backdrop, sub-teams were busy filing / sanding and assembling individual components of our competition robot. Electrical finished the drive train undercarriage and assisted mechanical in creating the pneumatics system for Robot v2 (pictured below). CAD / Prototyping division, of course, walked them through the measurement process to ensure smooth compatibility on the actual robot.

Behind the Scenes

We weighed our competition robot as it was being assembled earlier today. What do you think - will we be able to remain within the 120 pound limit required by FRC by the time our robot is complete?

2/13 - Countdown

With less than 4 days to go, our competition robot is well on the way to completion - with sub-teams cooperating more than ever to get things worked out and assembled. Most members have stayed late at ORyon Labs (pictured above) every night for the past week. With "Bag Day" approaching, decorations are pouring in - painting continues and pictured below is our 2015 FRC Sponsors plate, to be mounted on the sides of our competition robot very soon. Stay tuned for the reveal on this blog, elsewhere on our website, and our YouTube channel. A special shout-out to our mentors who have spent countless evenings and weekends guiding and aiding us in every possible way. 

Media + CAD + Prototyping

The Media division, while simultaneously writing this blog, designed a Sponsors Side plate to be mounted very soon on our Robot v2 (final competition design). Additionally, CAD team focused on providing dimensions to mechanical and electrical sub-teams as they installed gussets, brackets, and undercarriage / power distribution board to the framework of said robot. 

Electrical

As previously mentioned, Electrical sub-team mounted their power distribution board to a clear, plastic base to form the undercarriage of our competition drive train. Unfortunately, due to the lack of transistors, they were unable to complete their secondary task of preparing a circuit for our RGB LEDs robot decor.

Mechanical

Mechanical sub-division continued assembly of the competition robot, with guidance from a couple of mentors and the CAD team (in terms of placement and measurements). They are currently done with assembling the basic framework for the manipulator / lift and are ready for Electrical sub-team in terms of the drive train.

Programming

Programming worked on the automated stacking system (using limit switches...) and improved the joystick layout based on driver input during driving practice. They also completed coding Cheesy Arcade mode on our robot. They have been cooperating with drivers training on Betelgeuse and Robot v1 to get the code ready for our competition robot, which is technically similar.

2/9 - Occupy ORyon

Squaaad! (Discobots pose for the 2015 CVHS Yearbook) 

Programming

Programming division focused on testing autonomous code for the competition robot, taking into account our new modifications. Since that robot is still under construction, the team got feedback from our drivers piloting the practice Robot (v1) and Betelgeuse.

Electrical + CAD

CAD sub-team directed the assembly of a slightly modified belly pan for mounting the electronics power distribution board upside down on our freshly painted competition robot, while electrical division followed their advice and did the manual assembly of said components. Thus, the drive train was fully wired and prepped (mechanical will work with electrical later this week to complete the activation of the manipulator).

Mechanical + Prototyping

Mechanical continued assembly of the metal framework for the lift (hasn't been attached to the competition robot as of yet), while prototyping marked and drilled holes for mounting the gussets (which took place later tonight).