FRC 238 2018 Build Season Week 3 Newsletter

FIRST Robotics Competition Team 238
2018 Build Season Week 3 Newsletter

As Week 3 comes to an end Team 238 is in full production and we are finally moving past the first few beginning stages of the Build. The CAD model is nearing completion, our practice robot is taking form, and our code and award submissions are coming together quite nicely.

The Mechanical team has been very busy this past week continuing to machine our elevator. We have finished assembling both of our drivetrains and have been working hard to manufacture and send the rest of the parts out for powder coating. Our goal for this week is to have both of our elevators assembled and our practice bot operational.

The CAD Model is nearing completion as most of the systems are attached to the main assembly. The production of our robot’s spacers, using our 3D printer, are almost done as well.

This week the Electrical team wired our practice robot to near completion and we began to work on our competition robot, getting through around half of the wiring. We also made a wiring contract with the Software team. We are hoping to finish wiring both robots soon.

The Software team set up our two new laptops. With the assistance of our team mentor, we now have a program to model the paths the robot will take in autonomous mode. Some cleaning up of old code and fine tuning has also been accomplished.

The Chairman’s Award essay is in full swing. Our rough draft is being revised and we are still on track timewise. We are out of the planning phase, so the rest of the essay is just adding information, editing, and then reducing it all into the allotted character count.

This week we also did a fun team building activity during our full Build Day on Saturday where we had to transfer 20 Steamworks fuel balls to Two-Face's hopper (our 2017 robot) using only our feet. We were not very successful but it was a fun way to work as a team and take a break from bot building.

Sponsor Spotlight

Bosch has been a sponsor of 238 since the 2015-2016 season. As a Crusader Level sponsor, Bosch’s support has enabled the team to develop in a variety of areas including improving our tools and machines, investing in our business and marketing strategies and robot construction. This year Bosch’s support through a new Donorschoose initiative has enabled the team to develop our robotics business in the areas of marketing and video production. Our local Bosch facility, Bosch Thermotechnology, has hosted the team for various presentations, robot demonstrations and Bosch events. Thank you Bosch!