We only have one meeting left before Christmas, Christmas Break and then Kick Off. This week we began working on modifications to the Mascot Costume. We are going to make it easier for our Mascot's to wear. We will be changing the look of the bottom piece of the costume, and are considering modifications to [ Read More ]
Last Friday and Saturday, the team, along with over 800 other FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams from Minnesota met at St. Cloud State University for Jumpstart. Friday night was hands-on training in the tasks that go into building the robot. Saturday had more and larger classes on robot build and other aspects of running a [ Read More ]
This week the team prepared for Jumpstart. Jumpstart is one of the largest training opportunities in the nation for FRC teams. There will be multiple classes each hour, and an Automation Fair with several area vendors in parts and supplies most teams use in building their robot. It draws teams throughout the state. Approximately 800 [ Read More ]
This week the students practiced driving the new testbot. Natalie, Ethan and Gabe each had a turn at driving the robot. First, we tried some traction wheels, then we switched out the front and back wheels for Omni wheels, leaving the larger center wheels. From here I will let (Coach) Corey Applegate take over because he [ Read More ]
This Monday, we finished wiring the Testbot and it is up and running! We were able to take it to the Central Minnesota Robotics Hub meeting for the month to show it off. The next step is to get some driving practice on it, and possibly add a few manipulators (mechanisms to pick up game [ Read More ]
This week we wired up the robot. We are nearly done! Our hope is to finish wiring the robot and having it running next week, to show the other teams at the Central Minnesota Hub meeting on Tuesday. As they say, "A picture is worth 1,000 words, so here are a few pictures to show how [ Read More ]
This week the Gearheads finished assembling the frame for the test robot. We have now started assembling the components to power and control the robot. The first step was to decide where to place the various pieces (battery, Robo-Rio, Power Distribution Panel, pneumatic cylinder, etc.). Next, we worked on drilling and tapping the holes and mounting [ Read More ]
This week the Gearheads continued to work on the West Coast Drive system. We have the basic frame put together, and soon we will start working on the wiring. We are hoping to use this type of drive system on this year's competition robot, unless this year's challenge necessitates the use of a different system. [ Read More ]
