2017 Build Season Week 5

Written by Rabab Karimjee ’17

In the fifth week of build season, the Janksters have been nervous about the dwindling number of days left in the countdown and are motivated by the close finish line, a completed robot.

Programming has been busy coding for the various mechanisms and have successfully completed the ones for climbing, chassis, and all five pistons for gears and fuels. They are starting to test the more complex components of the programs.The committee was able to see black and white images on their vision processing system and even test their driving program on the electronics board!

Electronics, on the other hand, finalized CADing of the electronics board by making minor adjustments. After putting the components onto the board, they worked on encoding and wiring, and they were able to put the board on the robot. They additionally worked with Programming to test their limit switch and pistons.

The Business committee has made finishing touches, such as submitting the Woodie flowers award, creating the jacket designs, and sending out Robot Reveal invitations. With Robot Reveal coming up this Saturday, they are working on the presentation, making bows, and updating social media.

Meanwhile, the Mechanical sub-groups are wrapping up multiple projects:

Climbing has mounted their entire mechanism and ran tests on them to ensure it was working properly. They are now starting to work on building a cross-beam and will soon begin assembly for the second robot

The Gear and Fuel group has finalized their mechanism designs with a few adjustments to their original plan. They are working on CADing and building the various elements, such as the sliding track and fuel chute. At the Tech Shop, they were able to laser cut and assemble new pieces, and they are now finished with CADing the gears, mounting holes, and building the fuel storage.

Many Projects is starting work on the battery cart and finished CADing, creating, and mounting the bumpers for the robot.

Since finishing the chassis, this committee has worked on CAD and fixed the gearbox and bearing. They are now preparing to build the second robot by updating the robot assembly on CAD and drilling holes into beams.

The team looks forward to working harder than ever in the last week of an exciting Build Season.

If you’re interested in seeing our completed robot, make sure to drop by at Robot Reveal Night (6-8) in the Gym of Notre Dame High School!