Robotics/Engineers Needed

[tunicata]

Hello There!
As most know I teach in Newark Public Schools (Highschool).
One of my teacher friends is the leader of a robotics club at East Side H.S.

They showed me the program they have to create to compete in this years competition and they need some help! It's a wicked awesome idea, but they need help with understanding the actual mechanics/engineering portion. In past years they have worked with a local college team of engineers but for many reasons that is not feasible.

I am looking for folks that may be able to help them flesh out/create their ideas.
If you think you can be that person I will forward you/get you any information you want/need and put you into contact with the program leaders.

These are links to information about the event:

http://usfirst.org/

http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/09_FRC_GameDescrip.pdf

This competition involves using sensors, throwing balls, blocking opponents using autonomous function, as well as user controlled function.

 

[Keith P]

Wow. That looks like a fun challenge.

I work as a mechanical/sales engineer at a MFG plant (CMTSE).

I'd like to help, but I'm not much of a designer... I'm great at calling, specing, and sourcing things out.

I haven't used anything other than a 5-function calc in quite a while :hairy:

 

[tunicata]

Sweet, no problem Keith, I will get a specific run down of what in the world they need.
They have ideas, but are lacking in knowledge to how to make concepts happen.
Thanks!

 

[Killerdrgn]

I've done the robotics thing before, what are they using to build this bot? Legos mindstorm?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I want to help but I don't want getting to close to be considered as cheating. Why not let them present their ideas first and we contribute in commenting on the ideas? I probably will give some pointers to where they can look.

 

[tunicata]

Ah, no worries on thinking of cheating Wingo!
The entire project is designed to foster a close relationship brining in people from the field to educate the students. The engineers work together with the students to help them evaluate their concepts and bring it closer to a realistic and practical design.
The students do not yet know the mechanics of the robot building, and will be looking towards all mentors for that leadership.

The students are not using Lego Mindstorm (mindstorm is used in the Middle Schools here though, I just finished on an environmental project with one school, they got 2nd place!!!!).

Here is some more information, I'll post it here in case anyone else passing by wants to check it out. It is from the robotics coach(I will pm folks who have already showed interest the teacher's email):

So, I am trying to reach out to everyone I know that is engineering/design inclined to see if you could watch the game animation and brainstorm some ideas about how my team could build our robot this year.

The animation can be downloaded at the following website:http://robotics.nasa.gov/events/2009_frcwebcasts.php (If you're using windows, right click on the file link and "save as" otherwise it probably won't open correctly)

Also, there are a lot of rules about what the robot can or cannot do. I know most of these rules and can decide if your ideas are legal or not but if you're interested in knowing what they are you can find the Competition Manual at: http://usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=452

We use mostly aluminum framing and parts but really we can use any material we desire so long as it fits in our budget. For example, one year, I saw a team that used a large plastic trash can as part of their robot. We've also used plexi glass, cardboard, plastic netting, fabric netting, etc. For the drive system, we have basic motors such as those seen on this website: http://banebots.com/p/M4-R0062-12. We have other motors as well that can be used for ancillary attachments such as an arm that could be used to grab an object.

--edit--
Lol, that was one of their ideas on building their arm. I am taking it out just in case there is competition on board


Like I said, if you have some time, watch the animation and send me some ideas!

 

[JonnyIce]

my buddy does the robotics competition in Yonkers...must be the same thing... real cool stuff comes out of there!

 

[tunicata]

Yes it does Johnny,
I saw some footage of some of their past events it was pretty cool. I want to learn how to program the sensors myself.
I wanted to learn how to build marine remote operated vehicles and autonomous vehicles myself a while ago, but only got as far as drafting materials list/cost, and the procedure for the basic frame.

pm sent