It was the big day! The moment everyone was waiting for. Bag Day had finally arrived, the day where – at midnight – the team would have to put their Robot into a bag until Competition.
Needless to say, everyone was pretty excited. After the briefing meeting, members split off to finish their assigned tasks.
Members meeting right before they start working.
Lousaper made some spacers for the Winch and Telescoping Arms on the CNC Lathe. She then helped clean the drive field in the cafetorium.
Lousaper making some spacers on the CNC Lathe.
Programming members Bhavin and Daniel worked on getting the code ready to test on the Competition Robot. Other members Jake and John helped set up the drive field. Jake also ran some battery tests.
Field getting set up.
James of CAM finished the Operator Control Panel. The entire creation of it, from CAD to the countersinks were all him.
Business team member Nicole finished the black and pink t-shirt designs and the rough draft of the Business Plan Design.
Business team typing away in the Business Room.
For dinner the team got chili. It was quite good.
Delicious chili.
Andrea ordered buttons and helped Arvin and Anna with putting vinyl on the suburban.
Arvin making sure the vinyl is straight.
Karin of Prototype team helped Mr. Larson with cutting and bending the polycarbonate that will become the sponsor panels.
Karin and Mr. Larson cutting up the polycarbonate sheets.
Mr. Black spent some time to review the t-shirt design then order quantities. He then polished the driver’s side of the Suburban to help the Business team apply the vinyl logos. After this, Mr. Black helped get the Competition as ready as the team could before bagging it.
This day was not an official work day, and so no members went to the lab. But nonetheless the lab opened around 9:00 PM. Mr. Black and Mr. Hoard had a goal in mind – to fashion a ratchet mechanism to lock the Arm during the hanging part of the Competition.
The dynamic duo had a fully designed solution by 12:00 AM with a Mounting Bracket fabricated via Plasma Cutting. Before leaving, a McMaster order was placed for some cylinders and screws that’s expected to arrive by 5:00 PM on Bag Day.
The last official meet day before Build End or Bag Day, members were on edge to complete their tasks. Business member Anna continued her vinyl work. She was able to finish one side of the Suburban with help from Arvin, another Business member. Other Business member Nicole was too sick to come today, but she worked on the Business Plan Design from home.
Arvin and Anna working on adding vinyl sponsorship logos to a side of the Team’s Suburban.
Jacob of Simulation team worked with his mentor Dr. Stone for the day. They worked mainly in the Cinema room. Jacob was able to finish some formatting and proofreading of his documentation.
There were some snacks brought for the members later into the meeting. Delicious cold pastries, donuts, and brownies were given out. Slightly chilled, these products contained a sweet filling.
Table full of drinks and pastries for the Team.
Lousaper, member of Lathe team, continued to make miscellaneous spacers that could be used in generic places on the Robot. She also assisted in the clean-up in the gym.
Lousaper preparing her Lathe for an operation run.
CAM member James helped CAD member Mikia, Welder Roupen, and Mr. Najarian. Together the trio assembled the Prototype Bumper. James then began to CAM possible the last part he’ll create this year.
James and Mikia cutting out the needed materials.
Mr. Black machined pulleys for the Winch Cable.
The newly machined parts done by Mr. Black.
He then installed chains to the Arm and Winch mechanisms and also CAM programmed the Gearbox Brace.
Programming team members were busy doing separate tasks. Jake worked on the Team’s batteries – testing them and making certain they were in peak condition. Bhavin and Daniel continued to program different parts of the Robot. They also worked on tuning a control for turning on the Practice Robot and tuning the controls for the Pivoting Arm that will be on the Robot. After this, Daniel tried something new and worked on soldering some motors for the Competition Robot.
Daniel and Bhavin looking through their codes.
Jacob of Simulation team worked with Dr. Stone in the Cinema room as usual. With some assistance, Jacob was able to recreate some data for the documentation. He also fixed some formatting before departing for the day.
Simulation team hard at work on their MATLAB simulation runs.
CNC Mill team member Dustin finished three parts with help from CAM member Jonna. Dustin first manufactured out shoulder joints or “socks” from three pieces of stock using tabs. He then created the omni-wheel hub, which went very quickly as it was a small part. Lathe member Lousaper had already cut the stock out on the Lathe, so the going was fairly easy for Dustin.
Dustin getting assistance from Lousaper for his parts.
The final operations of the day were making the Shooter Plate that will push the ball into the flywheels. The whole part took three hours, and Dustin was able to make three parts.
Dustin and Jonna running operations on the Mill.
Andrea of Business team finished the Alumni Cover and worked on the Suburban. She also began looking into the parts-list that will be needed. Other members Arvin and Anna used the Vinyl machine to create sponsorship logos that they’ll later place on the Suburban.
Anna making sure the vinyl comes out perfect.
As the day ran from around 9:00 AM and would continue past 6:00, lunch was brought for the members. The food was from El Pollo Loco, with chicken, mac-n-cheese, and rice.
Mentors getting first-pick of the food.
Mr. Black continued work on the supplies-purchasing list for the Lab. He also polished out the passenger side of the Suburban with a dual-action buffer to prepare the vinyl placements. Mr. Black went on to assemble the Competition Robot’s Shooter as well.
The lab closed at 2:00 AM, one of the latest times thus far.
With only a few days left until Build End, every second wasted was a failure. But Team 696 still held a meeting before getting to work. It was a Friday, but school ended around 1:00 as it was a minimum day for the students. This meant Team 696 could meet for longer.
Members assembled for the meeting.
Jacob of Simulation team worked on the documentation. This covered static friction, shooter geometry, ball trajectory, drag, video verification of ball trajectory, calculating trajectory, and cleanup on the formatting. Team 696 is certainly glad we have Jacob as a member.
Simulation team running simulations.
The wonderful Lathe team, consisting of member Lousaper, kept working on Delrin spacers. These would be formatted to the Telescoping Arm. Lousaper also worked on the spoil syncro bar and omni-wheel shaft.
Lousaper working the Lathe like the pro she is.
Dustin, a member of CNC Mill team, remade two of the Spring Plates for the Telescoping Arm because two had snapped. The process took about 5 hours, he used the Super Mini Mill 2.
Dustin working with CAM member Jonna.
For dinner, as the meeting ran over 6:00 PM, was brought in. It consisted of fantastic chicken, pita bread and hummus, green beans, and a home-made potato dish.
Members piling their plates full of delicious food.
Business team member Arvin finalized the textual components of the formal Business Plan. He was assisted in doing so by Anna. Andrea helped set up the gym for practice drive runs with the robot. She also finished the button designs on Adobe Illustrator and continued the Alumni book cover.
Business team hard at work within the Business Room.
Daniel of Programming helped set up the gym field, then he worked on getting the Robot Arm to move and shoot balls. Bhavin, Jake, and John helped with field work.
Members helping to move the needed materials to the gym to set up the field.
Bhavin also worked on fixing some code.
Programming and Meetkumar working in the Programming Room.
Mr. Hoard, the Business team’s mentor and local “Super Genius” as he’s called, saved the day once again. The Telescoping Arms were sticking together, so the Extravagant Mr. Hoard designed and manufactured a prototype of the “hats.”
Mr. Black sent in the request for buses for our regional competition trips, made a lunch reservation for the Ventura trip, worked on building an ordering list for equipment and supplies for the lab, and machined snap ring grooves in the omni-wheel axles for the robot’s claw.
As usual, Team 696 members attended their meeting. Led by Mika and Mr. Black and Mr. Hoard, members were given deadlines for Ventura money and T-shirt orders.
Team 696 members assembled in their meeting of the day.
Samuel, the Photographer, was busy for the entire day. He was preoccupied with taking picture of individual Robot Parts in the Cinema Room. While these pictures of the newly anodized parts are quite beautiful, this meant he couldn’t take many photos of sub-groups working. We forgive you Samuel, for we know how hard you work for the team.
Lathe member Lousaper has been working on her Lathe for the past two meetings. Both times she made Delrin Standoffs for the Polycarbonate Claw of the Robot.
Lousaper running the Lathe through numerous operations.
Jake from Programming worked with CAD member Claire and Prototyping member Lauren. With the help from those two, Jake learned how to use the Drill Press. Jake then organized batteries and finished the rough draft of all competition battery tests. These will soon be placed into a folder and categorized into a comprehensive graph showing the best batteries.
CAD member Mikia worked on bumper design, bumper mounting, and providing the CAD designs to members working on assembly. Other CAD member Anthony K. worked on fixing the Telescoping Arms and mounting them onto the Practice Robot with the help of Prototype member Devon.
Anthony K. and Devon working on the Telescoping Arms.
Jacob of Simulation continued working on documentation, finishing up the section on the ODE functions.
Welding member Roupen began to weld the Hanging Mechanism Support Structure. This structure connects the first box-tube in the Hanging Mechanism to the Robot Arm with an 1/8″ plate using bolts. Welding rookie Eden helped Roupen by holding the part during the welding process.
Business team had a busy day. Nicole continued t-shirt Business Plan designs. Anna worked on the actual Business Plan. Andrea continued her hard-work on the button designs, only needing to finish edits on Photoshop.
As it was Nanor’s Birthday, cake was brought for the team. It was quickly eaten during a work-break.
The final picture of the cake before it was torn to pieces and eaten.
Programming member Bhavin worked on revising code that runs the Robot’s Pivoting Arm and Shooter. He also a tried a new configuration for the Robot’s Camera that will allow the Team to quickly test and debug the Vision Processing Program.
James of CAM helped Dustin of CNC Mill. The super-duo created Gearbox Output Shafts out of 7075 aluminum as opposed to the main Robot material – 6061 aluminum.
Dustin of CNC Mill team finished off the Arm Plate Supports by drilling two small holes in each one.
Mika, our Critical President put together the Gearboxes and the Arm. She then worked on wiring everything up.
Mr. Black rebuilt the Manual Mill’s vise. He also assembled three Trampa Wheels and bored out a bushing on the Competition Robot using the Haas Lathe.
The lab closed at around 8:55 PM. With Build End nearing faster than ever, every task is critical to the Team’s success.
Today was an optional meeting for those who could make it. Samuel of Photography sadly could not make it, so there is a lack of photos.
Members who went included CAD members Anthony K. and Mikia, Prototype members Devon and Karin, and President Mika. They assembled many things, including the Robot’s Wheels, Transmissions, and Gearboxes.
This same day Mr. Black assisted a mentor from Team 981. The mentor was helped in plasma cutting, bending a Base Plate, and welding the Shooter Mechanism for his Team’s robot. Mr. Black also tried out a new Windows 10 tablet, seeing if it could hold potential for the Scouting during competition.
With much to do, and not a lot of time, Team 696 split off immediately to finish their assigned tasks. With Build Stop only a week away, tensions could be felt as members worked their hardest and hoped nothing would go wrong.
James of CAM and Dustin of CNC Mill team worked together to run the first operation of the Winch Spools. These parts had already been worked on by Mr. Black on the Haas Lathe, so Dustin used James’ CAM program to cut out special steps in a set of soft jaws on the Mill.
James creating the CAM program he’d give Dustin to use the Mill with.
The pair continued to Mill out spokes and holes in each the six Spools. James’ then gave Dustin another CAM program to face off the remaining stock. Other CNC Mill member Nanor continued where Dustin left off when he headed home.
Dustin cleaning off part bits in the Mill.
Jacob, member of Simulation team, worked on the documentation of motor curves, flywheels and the ODE function and solver. All of this data will be put to use in few days when calculations would be created.
Simulation team member Jacob and mentor Dr. Stone looking through their calculations and compiling data.
Business team member Nicole put sponsor names on the Team’s trailer with vinyl.
Nicole posing by the vinyl machine as it cut out the vinyl.
Other member Andrea helped wet up the cafetorium for the Robot to practice driving. She then began button designs as the dog tags had been previously finished.
Andrea working on the button designs while Nicole worked on the computer.
Jonna of CAM was accompanied by other members such as Mikia of CAD and Karin, Meetkumar, and Lauren of Prototype set up the Obstacle Field in the cafetorium for the robot practice drive. The group first had to clear out the tables and chairs to get the floor wide and empty.
Members cleaning up the room before placing Obstacles.
Mr. Black rebuilt the X and Y axes of the Manual Mill. This had to be done as the X-nut was falling off and the machine itself needed cleaning. It works much better now that it’s adjusted and oiled.
As usual, the day began with a meeting. But this one was at 10:00 AM as there was no school. After this brief meeting, the members broke off to accomplish their daily tasks.
Meeting before the workday begins.
Lousaper, our wonderful lady of the Lathe, has been on a streak of making parts on the Lathe. This day was no exception, and she finished the Shooter-Gearbox Spacers and Tension Rods.
Lousaper holding an intimate conversation with the Lathe by running through the programmings of the machine.
Business team member Nicole worked on the Alumni Book and began adding sponsor vinyl to Team 696’s trailer. Anna finished 7 sections of the Business Plan and helped Arvin with some dog tags after working on the vinyl machine.
Anna storming through the Business Plan like a true member.
Andrea worked with Arvin on the Laser Cutter to complete the dog tags.
Arvin and Andrea watching the printing process of the dog tags.
For lunch Team 696 were given delicious tostadas. They were also given cake as it was Daniel of Programming’s birthday! Happy Birthday Daniel!!!!!! We thank you for the cake.
Members eating and wishing Daniel of Programming a Happy Birthday.
Jacob of Simulation worked on documenting what he and Dr. Stone have been doing for the entire Build Season thus far. With about a page done, there’s still much to write about and even more to do still.
Jacob helping Luke for a second while both were working.
Luke of Web spent the day polishing the Scouting System that we’ll use during competition. During this, fellow Clark student Maggy worked on scripting and story-boarding the Chairman’s Award Video.
CNC Mill member Dustin faced off the remaining stock after doing the first operation on the Arm Plate Supports. To do the operations Dustin and Nanor had to Mill special steps into soft jaws on the Super Mini Mill 2 with CAM program provided by Jonna of CAM. They were able to finish 16 supports, all still needing to be drilled.
Jonna and Nanor working on the Mill.
Programming member Daniel worked on programming the Robot so it could drive straight if needed. Alexander halted his work to put on the Pivot Arm.
Programming team working on code and driving the Robot.
Dustin of CAD worked with CAM member James on the Mill to create Soft Jaws to then manufacture the Winch Spool.
James of CAM working on CAM.
Karin of Prototype team helped Vice-President Alexander attach small BaneBot wheels onto the Shooter. She and CAD member Mikia then joined Alexander, President Mika, Programmer Daniel, and Photographer/Blogger and Ruggedly Handsome member Samuel in the gym. While there members helped try and attach the Pivot Arm to the Robot and make the Obstacles more secure.
Mikia and Karin working on securing the Obstacles.
Before long it was time to clean up the area, so around 5:30 CAD members Anthony and Claire as well as CAM member Jonna, CNC Mill member Nanor, and Prototype member Lauren were called down to assist. Together they were able to clean up the area and return to the lab in no time.
Alexander and Mika turning the Robot on its side to work on it easier.
Alexander continued to work on the Robot after bringing it back up into the lab. Still attempting to attach the Pivot Arm, he first had to attach additional parts.
Alexander patiently working on the Robot in the Programming Room.
Mr. Black finished machining the Lathe Operations to create the Winch Spools, but they still need work before becoming completely finished.
Winch Spools fresh out of the Lathe.
The lab closed fairly early at about 7:45 PM to allow the members to head home and finish their homework before school the next day.
This morning’s meeting was a little different than usual. Besides assigning daily tasks like usual, Mika and Alexander unveiled two gearboxes designed and created solely by students. This is a first for the team, so obviously it will stand as a milestone as to the evolution of Team 696.
Unveiling of two gearboxes during the morning meeting.
Simulation team member Jacob talked with Dr. Stone, his mentor, on some inconsistent work values. They decided to try solving some of the work with calculus using time and power as derivatives. They also troubleshot and continued working on the flywheel code.
Jacob and Dr. Stone of Simulation team.
Devon and Lauren of Prototyping team helped CAD member Anthony assemble the Robot’s Hanging Arms. These would allow the Robot to lift itself off the ground at the end of the match. Being concerned with how the metal glided over the button head stops, the group tested various methods of stopping the arms. They decided to grind down socket head screws and counter sinking for flat heads when finding that buttons are superior.
Anthony and Devon working on the Hanging Arms.
CNC Mill member Nanor machined holes into long pieces of box-tube for the Robot’s Skid Plate Rails numbering five in total. During this, other CNC Mill member Dustin cut stock out for the small arm plate supports using the Horizontal Band-saw. Then Dustin ran the first of four operations on the fresh cut stock using the Super Mini Mill 2.
Business team member Nicole updated the Brand Guide and worked on t-shirts. Andrea worked on the Alumni Design and finally began laser-cutting dog tags after redoing the template on Adobe.
Mika assisting Andrea with her Alumni Designs.
James of CAM helped define the stock size for the winch cable spool. All left to do is run the mill.
CAM team working on their computers.
Programming team member Jake continued to test batteries. Other member Bhavin worked on Vision Processing while John worked on programming SnapDragon to drive autonomously.
Bhavin working on programming.
Daniel and Dr. Clouse worked together to decide the future OI device on the control board as well as getting the Robot to drive wireless. Daniel then took the Robot out for a little test driving.
Lousaper, the Lathe team member, started on the Shooter-Gearbox Spacers.
Mr. Black introduced Business members Arvin and Andrea to the art of laser engraving. He also launched new DonorsChoose projects for 2D printing filament and machined the Winch Spool on the Haas CNC Lathe. Mr. Black additionally sourced switches and parts for the Control Board.
