September 3, 2015
Raider Robotics is featured as a guest on the JSU Radio Station 91.9 FM on the evening show "Hey Techies". Our CEO, Brittany, and our coach, Mr. Goosby, were interviewed by the radio team. Questions ranged from competition dates to how we build our robot. Check out the interview at the link below:
Raider Robotics is featured as a guest on the JSU Radio Station 91.9 FM on the evening show "Hey Techies". Our CEO, Brittany, and our coach, Mr. Goosby, were interviewed by the radio team. Questions ranged from competition dates to how we build our robot. Check out the interview at the link below:
September 11, 2015
In an effort to raise funds for our operating budget and have an opportunity for community outreach, Raider Robotics set up a table at the home football game to paint faces. In a joint effort with our Athletic Boosters, we did our part to promote school spirit. In spite of the rain and two hour game delay, we managed to raise $25.00 in a matter of about 15 minutes. We will have a table set up at the next home game on September 25th. Today, the robotics team also made their technology debut at Raider Stadium. The team made a warm-up CD for the football team that was used for pre-game music. The crowd loved it!
In an effort to raise funds for our operating budget and have an opportunity for community outreach, Raider Robotics set up a table at the home football game to paint faces. In a joint effort with our Athletic Boosters, we did our part to promote school spirit. In spite of the rain and two hour game delay, we managed to raise $25.00 in a matter of about 15 minutes. We will have a table set up at the next home game on September 25th. Today, the robotics team also made their technology debut at Raider Stadium. The team made a warm-up CD for the football team that was used for pre-game music. The crowd loved it!
September 26, 2015
Kick-off Day is here at last! Our team really likes the game field for Pay Dirt! Ideas began flowing as soon as we saw the game field revealed. Our initial design idea was to design and build a robot that resembles the structure of a dump truck or garbage truck. We decided that we need an arm with a claw to grab the game pieces and then place them into a bucket. The bucket will then dump the game pieces into the proper scoring bins.
We can't even begin to thank the staff at CACC for their hard work that goes into every BEST season. May this be the BEST season ever!
Kick-off Day is here at last! Our team really likes the game field for Pay Dirt! Ideas began flowing as soon as we saw the game field revealed. Our initial design idea was to design and build a robot that resembles the structure of a dump truck or garbage truck. We decided that we need an arm with a claw to grab the game pieces and then place them into a bucket. The bucket will then dump the game pieces into the proper scoring bins.
We can't even begin to thank the staff at CACC for their hard work that goes into every BEST season. May this be the BEST season ever!
September 28th, 2015
Today was our first day for meeting after Kick Off Day in Munford. The entire team sat in a group setting and discussed the game, as well as strategies, with our CEO leading the discussion. The entire team also discussed ideas for the robot design and discussed what type of wheels would be good for driving over the thresholds on the field. The team also broke down the departments and which people would be on which team for the 2015-2016 year.
Today was our first day for meeting after Kick Off Day in Munford. The entire team sat in a group setting and discussed the game, as well as strategies, with our CEO leading the discussion. The entire team also discussed ideas for the robot design and discussed what type of wheels would be good for driving over the thresholds on the field. The team also broke down the departments and which people would be on which team for the 2015-2016 year.
September 29th, 2015
Today Raider Robotics took profile pictures, department pictures, and a team picture. We also discussed that everyone needs to write what we do every day in our technical notebooks. The team also decided on a design for the arm of the robot. We decided that a bobcat shovel type arm would work best for the game this year. The idea of a forklift type mechanism was brought up and the entire team elaborated on in it. We decided that it would be a good idea because of the fact that it would be easier to release the coal. The marketing team also discussed ideas for the marketing booth and decided that a play on a mine would be a good theme for the booth.
Today Raider Robotics took profile pictures, department pictures, and a team picture. We also discussed that everyone needs to write what we do every day in our technical notebooks. The team also decided on a design for the arm of the robot. We decided that a bobcat shovel type arm would work best for the game this year. The idea of a forklift type mechanism was brought up and the entire team elaborated on in it. We decided that it would be a good idea because of the fact that it would be easier to release the coal. The marketing team also discussed ideas for the marketing booth and decided that a play on a mine would be a good theme for the booth.
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September 30th, 2015
Today our robotics team started “Meet the Miners” on Instagram (@raiderrobotics). This is where we introduce a new robotics team member every couple of days. The build and design team also discussed a bobcat design for the robot and started to discuss what materials that would be useful in constructing our robot. Also on this day, BEST INC RETWEETED US ON TWITTER, which our whole team was very excited about.
Today our robotics team started “Meet the Miners” on Instagram (@raiderrobotics). This is where we introduce a new robotics team member every couple of days. The build and design team also discussed a bobcat design for the robot and started to discuss what materials that would be useful in constructing our robot. Also on this day, BEST INC RETWEETED US ON TWITTER, which our whole team was very excited about.
October 1st, 2015
Today was an awesome day for Raider Robotics. We decided all measurements for our robot and had an awesome brainstorming session. We had a group style brainstorm and developed all of the measurements that we thought would be appropriate for our robot. It was amazing because everyone was very excited and we got so much accomplished. Also, on this day we decided and finalized what materials we would like to use on the robot and measured the shovel dimensions onto the plastic. We decided that the arms and body of the robot would be made of thin plywood. The team also decided that the wheels will be made out of the thick plywood. The marketing team also discussed further designs on the booth and started to brainstorm about what door prizes they would like to give away.
Today was an awesome day for Raider Robotics. We decided all measurements for our robot and had an awesome brainstorming session. We had a group style brainstorm and developed all of the measurements that we thought would be appropriate for our robot. It was amazing because everyone was very excited and we got so much accomplished. Also, on this day we decided and finalized what materials we would like to use on the robot and measured the shovel dimensions onto the plastic. We decided that the arms and body of the robot would be made of thin plywood. The team also decided that the wheels will be made out of the thick plywood. The marketing team also discussed further designs on the booth and started to brainstorm about what door prizes they would like to give away.
October 2nd, 2015
Today we cut out the pieces for the body of the robot. The robot body measures thirteen inches by ten inches. The marketing team started to call businesses for donations and started to compile giveaways. The engineering team also started to brainstorm for the research paper that is included in the notebook.
Today we cut out the pieces for the body of the robot. The robot body measures thirteen inches by ten inches. The marketing team started to call businesses for donations and started to compile giveaways. The engineering team also started to brainstorm for the research paper that is included in the notebook.
October 5th, 2015
Today we continued work on the robot body pieces. We drilled the holes for the motors and attached motor mounts to the outside of the robot. The build and design team also cut out the four wheels for the robot. The wheels are six inches in diameter. The engineering notebook team formed the outline of the engineering notebook and completed as much as they could with the information that had been compiled so far.
Today we continued work on the robot body pieces. We drilled the holes for the motors and attached motor mounts to the outside of the robot. The build and design team also cut out the four wheels for the robot. The wheels are six inches in diameter. The engineering notebook team formed the outline of the engineering notebook and completed as much as they could with the information that had been compiled so far.
October 6th, 2015
Today our build and design team crafted four motor mounts. After they completed this task the team also marked the dimensions for the arms. Today our build and design team also started to build the shovel. They cut the pieces for the shovel out of the thick plastic and had a discussion about how to hold them together. The engineering notebook team also discussed what our game strategies would be and wrote down what they thought would be best to score the most points.
Today our build and design team crafted four motor mounts. After they completed this task the team also marked the dimensions for the arms. Today our build and design team also started to build the shovel. They cut the pieces for the shovel out of the thick plastic and had a discussion about how to hold them together. The engineering notebook team also discussed what our game strategies would be and wrote down what they thought would be best to score the most points.
October 7th, 2015
Today our robotics team cut out the arms for the robot. The arms were decided to be three inches by ten inches. The holes for the servos were also cut out of the arms. Work on the shovel also continued and it was glued together with PVC glue, which proved very hard to do. The marketing team continued to call businesses and list the giveaways that they had acquired. The engineering notebook team continued to record the design process and fill in holes within the notebook.
Today our robotics team cut out the arms for the robot. The arms were decided to be three inches by ten inches. The holes for the servos were also cut out of the arms. Work on the shovel also continued and it was glued together with PVC glue, which proved very hard to do. The marketing team continued to call businesses and list the giveaways that they had acquired. The engineering notebook team continued to record the design process and fill in holes within the notebook.
October 8th, 2015
Today the build and design team figured out that the PVC glue would not work to hold the shovel together, so it was decided that screws would be the best alternative. The marketing team made a list of materials for the booth and decided how much of what would be needed. Work was started on the website and a lot was accomplished today. The engineering notebook was also worked on and new information was added.
Today the build and design team figured out that the PVC glue would not work to hold the shovel together, so it was decided that screws would be the best alternative. The marketing team made a list of materials for the booth and decided how much of what would be needed. Work was started on the website and a lot was accomplished today. The engineering notebook was also worked on and new information was added.
October 9th, 2015
Today all teams came together and discussed the progress that had been made with each other. The build and design team also painted the robot wheels red.
Today all teams came together and discussed the progress that had been made with each other. The build and design team also painted the robot wheels red.
***DID NOT HAVE MEETINGS DURING FALL BREAK OCTOBER 12-16***
October 19th, 2015
Today our build and design team constructed a good bit of our robot. The box was constructed and the arms and the shovel were put together. The marketing presentation team was decided today and the four members of that team brainstormed for the presentation. The documentation team also added the offensive and defensive strategies to the engineering notebook. The items for the booth were also finalized today and were purchased in the afternoon. The programmers also started to write the program for the robot.
Today our build and design team constructed a good bit of our robot. The box was constructed and the arms and the shovel were put together. The marketing presentation team was decided today and the four members of that team brainstormed for the presentation. The documentation team also added the offensive and defensive strategies to the engineering notebook. The items for the booth were also finalized today and were purchased in the afternoon. The programmers also started to write the program for the robot.
October 20th, 2015
After the programmers finished the program for the motors they tried to apply it to the remote, brain, and keys, but they ran into a problem. There was a miscommunication between the VEX net keys and this caused the joystick could not work remotely. Eventually the problem was resolved by upgrading the firmware on both of the keys. Today the robot box was spray painted white. The build and design team also realized that the arms were too short for the robot, so new ones were measured. The marketing team also started work on the booth design. Brown paper was spray painted gray, black, and brown. Glitter was added to portray gems.
After the programmers finished the program for the motors they tried to apply it to the remote, brain, and keys, but they ran into a problem. There was a miscommunication between the VEX net keys and this caused the joystick could not work remotely. Eventually the problem was resolved by upgrading the firmware on both of the keys. Today the robot box was spray painted white. The build and design team also realized that the arms were too short for the robot, so new ones were measured. The marketing team also started work on the booth design. Brown paper was spray painted gray, black, and brown. Glitter was added to portray gems.
October 21st, 2015
Today the build and design team tried to attach the wheels to the axels of the robot, but ran into a problem. After attaching a ball bearing to a metal rod, they realized that it was attached incorrectly. As they tried to remove it, it became very stuck. No matter what they tried it would not come off. Eventually they had to grind down a ridge on the rod, and the ball bearing came off. The marketing team finished work on the booth and the documentation team continued work on the notebook.
Today the build and design team tried to attach the wheels to the axels of the robot, but ran into a problem. After attaching a ball bearing to a metal rod, they realized that it was attached incorrectly. As they tried to remove it, it became very stuck. No matter what they tried it would not come off. Eventually they had to grind down a ridge on the rod, and the ball bearing came off. The marketing team finished work on the booth and the documentation team continued work on the notebook.
October 22nd, 2015
Today Raider Robotics had a break through and finished our robot. All parts of the team worked together to finish the robot. Many team members stayed after school until 7:30 PM to work on and finish the robot. The team worked continuously, and even got to demo the robot so some parents after its completion. We finalized all construction of the robot and managed to fix some of the parts that had problems. We did experience a problem with the program, but it was an easy fix—a matter of 12 keystrokes, essentially. The marketing team worked on the booth and put up our booth “rocks.” Today was a pivot day for Raider Robotics, and it was very nice to see everyone work together.
Today Raider Robotics had a break through and finished our robot. All parts of the team worked together to finish the robot. Many team members stayed after school until 7:30 PM to work on and finish the robot. The team worked continuously, and even got to demo the robot so some parents after its completion. We finalized all construction of the robot and managed to fix some of the parts that had problems. We did experience a problem with the program, but it was an easy fix—a matter of 12 keystrokes, essentially. The marketing team worked on the booth and put up our booth “rocks.” Today was a pivot day for Raider Robotics, and it was very nice to see everyone work together.
October 23, 2015
Today we figured came across a problem with the shovel. After raising the arms up and trying to bring them back down slowly, we discovered the shovel was too heavy because as it came down one of the arms detached from the shovel. After brainstorming for a way to fix the problem the team decided that adding an attachment to compensate for the difference would be the right choice. Work was started to build the attachment for the robot shovel. The marketing presentation was finished today and practice will be started Monday.
Today we figured came across a problem with the shovel. After raising the arms up and trying to bring them back down slowly, we discovered the shovel was too heavy because as it came down one of the arms detached from the shovel. After brainstorming for a way to fix the problem the team decided that adding an attachment to compensate for the difference would be the right choice. Work was started to build the attachment for the robot shovel. The marketing presentation was finished today and practice will be started Monday.
October 26th-29th, 2015
During these days the team worked on driving practice and “rocks” were added to the booth. Each driver took turns navigating through examples of some of the obstacles and practiced learning what part did what on the robot. The whole team even stayed after school and listened to the marketing presentation team present as well as practiced driving the robot some more.
During these days the team worked on driving practice and “rocks” were added to the booth. Each driver took turns navigating through examples of some of the obstacles and practiced learning what part did what on the robot. The whole team even stayed after school and listened to the marketing presentation team present as well as practiced driving the robot some more.
October 29th, 2015
Today our robotics team was introduced at the pep rally. Our CEO, Brittany, introduced the team members and explained what the BEST Competition was. The whole student body was also invited to attend Game Day. It was a successful way to inform the entire student body about the robotics competition and potentially procure new members. |
October 30th, 2015
Today Raider Robotics experienced a major bump in the road. We discovered that our front wheels would not touch the ground. This proved to be a major problem in the turning aspect of our robot. The wheel not touching the ground influenced the motors as well. The robot would wobble as it moved and would not move efficiently. In the beginning of the week we thought that it might just be the drivers learning to drive the robot, but it was the actual robot with the problem. After much dissention the build and design team decided that we should just remove two of the wheels and use the roller blade wheel as the front wheel. So, the team put the one wheel on the axel and attached it firmly. This change was amazing for the robot! All the issues that had been happening seemingly went away. The team was very thankful that the issues were resolved because this was our last meeting until Mall Day.
Today Raider Robotics experienced a major bump in the road. We discovered that our front wheels would not touch the ground. This proved to be a major problem in the turning aspect of our robot. The wheel not touching the ground influenced the motors as well. The robot would wobble as it moved and would not move efficiently. In the beginning of the week we thought that it might just be the drivers learning to drive the robot, but it was the actual robot with the problem. After much dissention the build and design team decided that we should just remove two of the wheels and use the roller blade wheel as the front wheel. So, the team put the one wheel on the axel and attached it firmly. This change was amazing for the robot! All the issues that had been happening seemingly went away. The team was very thankful that the issues were resolved because this was our last meeting until Mall Day.
November 1, 2015
Today was Mall Day! The Quintard Mall welcomed in all of the BEST teams again this year. While the day wasn't a total disaster for us, we realized there was some major fine tuning that needs to happen before Game Day. Our robot struggled with turning on the game field's carpet. We had been practicing on the carpet in our school, but the different texture created a problem. We removed the friction tape on the wheels and it operated better. However, we also discovered that our third wheel needs to be higher off the ground to ensure that the robot does not get stuck crossing the thresholds on the gates from sublevel to sublevel. We need to add padding to the top of the robot to cushion the arm and scoop as it rests on the top of the robot. We also plan to add a hook to the scoop so that we can better tip over the old mine cart holding the chalcopyrite pieces. In brighter news, we did discover that our robot can score the aggregate and coal pieces quite well. We would like to extend gratitude to the staff of the Hey Techies Show for coming to Mall Day and doing more interviews with our team and being a part of the BEST experience. |