Thursday, January 29

29 January, 2015

Team 2342 has almost completed their first robot! The robot is scheduled to be finished on 02 February, in order to allow plenty of time for testing. The team will continue to work on a second robot as well. All of the subteams have put in quite a lot of work in order to ensure that the robot is completed on time.

In the past week, the mechanical subteam has been building and assembling the attachment for the first robot. This attachment is an elevator which possesses the ability to pick up and stack recycling totes. Last week, the team demonstrated that the attachment was effective. The dragger has been built, and is scheduled to be mounted on the robot tomorrow.

The coding subteam has been altering the code for the robot, and has been testing the robot as well. The coding subteam played a large role in determining whether or not the attachment worked. The coding subteam is currently in the process of testing the code for the attachment.

The construction of the second robot is underway! The entire second robot is scheduled to be finished by 09 February. In the past week, the second drive train has been assembled. The wiring subteam has completed the second control panel. In the next few weeks, the team will build and mount the second attachment and dragger. After completing the two robots, the coding subteam will continue to test them.

The business subteam has been completing essays and the script for the video for the Chairman's Award. They plan to film the video in the next few weeks. The mascot costume is being sewn as we speak! The members of the business subteam have completed the wings of the Phoenix mascot, and will work on the pants in the coming weeks!

Lastest Version of the Build Plan

Thursday, January 22

Making Progress

Team 2342 is currently in the process of building the robot for the build season. The maneuverable robot was designed so that it could stack recycling totes effectively. The team plans to construct two robots during the season: one will have a lift which is made out of wood, while the other will be made of metal. The two robots will function in exactly the same way.

The wiring subteam has finished building and wiring the control panel. The control panel has also been mounted. The attachment for the robot has been designed, and the mechanical subteam is in the process of constructing it. A test attachment has already been built and mounted. In the past week, the coding subteam has finished the code for the robot. Coding will be responsible for most of the testing of the robot.

The team will continue to build the attachment and dragger (to drag totes) for the robot in the next week. The construction of the second robot has already begun!

Updated Schedule

Thursday, January 15

The Robot Is Coming Along...

In the past ten days, Team Phoenix has made quite a lot of progress in terms of the robot. From brainstorming to building, the team has been hard at work. All of the subteams have been busy developing different components of the robot: the business subteam has been preparing to compete for the Chairman's award.

The team decided to build a robot which specialized in moving and stacking the totes. The robot is tall, and is likely to reach the upper limit for robot height. It has an attachment which utilizes a hook and belt. The hooks were designed to fit under the lip of the plastic tote, so that it could be easily lifted. The attachment has the ability to pick up and stack four totes at a time.

The wiring subteam has been working on wiring and mounting the control board for the robot. In addition working on the code for the robot, Coding has been assisting mech. They helped to assemble the chassis of the robot.

The business subteam has been writing essays and is in the process of filming a video for the Chairman's award.

Build Plan

Monday, January 5

The Build Season is Underway!

On Saturday, 03 January, 2015, FIRST released information about the game for this season. The build season has begun! After a weekend of brainstorming, Team Phoenix has developed two main ideas in regards to the robot. The strategy surrounding the robot designs will enable the team to score as many points as possible, while focusing their resources on a few of the main aspects of the challenge.

The team has narrowed down its options, and is currently prototyping the robot. One design utilizes a hook and elevator: the other makes use of an arm and an elevator. The team plans to focus on stacking the totes using a circulating belt. This will enable the team to score as many points as possible by stacking the totes.

The team plans to finish prototyping by Friday. After the prototyping is complete, the construction of the robot will begin!

Game Information