Broncobots Blog

The Audio/Visual team worked on creating this week’s video along with the robot unveiling video. The programming team worked on writing the final code for the robot while testing it on the practice field. The build team had finished the competition robot then moved on to work on the practice robot. Community Outreach team continued the peanut butter and jelly drive for Lee’s Summit Social Services and are only a few jars away from their goal. The chairman’s team started preparing for competition and finishing up the judge’s packets. The CAD team started the finally assembly of all the robot parts in Inventor. Many of the team members spent along day making many Team 1987 buttons for the two regionals we’ll be participating in this year. Overall we made approximately one thousand buttons!

Programmers working on the robot’s code.

Alex W. likes to shovel snow.

PB&J.

Nick G. works on the shooter.

The Broncobots and the two other Lee’s Summit teams, 1986 and 1730, held an open house to show the Lee’s Summit community what we do and what FIRST is all about this Sunday. During the week, the CAD team drew up the individual electronic parts used to drive, another step towards a fully assembled robot, in Autodesk Inventor. Build team constructed the ball uptake system as well as mounting the shooter to the robot, both key parts. Along with changes to the main robot, the practice robot became drivable; this practice robot will provide needed experience for the drivers. Audio/Visual had the task of documenting the open house along with making the weekly video. Community Outreach continued on their valentine campaign, creating valentines for local nursing homes. Programmers worked on the PID control system, along with configuring the joysticks. One week left to go!

The Programming team drives around robot at open house.

R-7 alliance cookie cake.

Dominic B. and Taylor S. working on CAD.

Dominic B. demonstrating the shooter at the open house.

The Build Team gets ready to mount shooter.

Animation started experimenting with lighting in this year’s animation. The programmers started working on the smart dashboard, making a customizable dashboard instead of the default one provided by FIRST. Along with the dashboard the programmers researched on how to use the plethora of sensors that we have at our disposal. The CAD team finalized the chassis of the robot along with the shooter. Electronics team finished the final electronics board to be used in competition. Build team constructed the base for the shooter. The shooter is extremely important; it’s the main way to score and a key part of the robot. The community outreach team started making Valentine’s Day cards for the elderly. Also a food drive of peanut butter and jelly was started for Lee’s Summit Social Services.

Students makes valentines cards.

Programmers converse with Coach Ms. Griffith as to what to do with the camera tracking system.

CAD team creates digital robot parts.

Build team works on mock-up of robot shooter.

Animation captain, Adam S., works on lighting and camera positions.

The programmers continued working on the camera square tracking. They have been facing many challenges trying to track squares “real time”, but they use their mentors and even other teams for help. Animation continued working on this year’s animation by setting up scenes for it to take place. Along with the senior member of animation, the brand new members are making substantial contributions. The electrical team completed the electronic board base. This electronic base will become the “brain” of the robot, telling which wheels or “muscles” to move. Build started the ball uptake and shooter. They improved upon and lightened the robot chassis. They finished and tested the wood mock-up of the shooter. The final thing the build team started doing was the practice robot started to take shape, this practice robot allows our team to keep learning how to drive between the ship date and the Kansas City Regional.

Programmers try to tackle the camera and square tracking.

The animation team continues the frame of this year’s animation.

The build team checks the size of the electronic base.

Steve E. tightens bolts and makes sure the practice robot is assembled securely.