Week 12 Update

Shooter:
​          CAD is nearing completion, with only three main objectives remaining.

1. Find a way to mount the shooter onto the chassis and indexer. The current plan is to try and run a beam under the indexer that touches the shooter plate.
2. Find a way to mount a servo (motor), with a gear to the back of the shooter to allow the adjustable hood to change angles.
3. Get rid of excess material if needed or possible.

Most of the parts must be machined using a CNC. Any parts that could be cut or 3D printed have been made. This consists of churros, hex shafts, the back rollers, the gear that attaches to the adjustable hood, and the bottom plate grips.
Near future plans consist of finishing CAD and machining all the remaining parts. After assembly, the parts will be mounted onto the chassis.

Software:
​          Since our last update, the software team has completed the Galactic Search Challenge. Our current time to complete the full Galactic Search course is 28.53 seconds, out of a possible 120 seconds (lower times are better). After completing the challenge, the software team has shifted their focus to adapting existing code for the swerve drive prototype to use on our upcoming differential swerve drivetrain. Members are also continuing to prepare and finalize our other FRC At Home Challenge submissions.

​Swerve:
​          The Swerve group has been hard at work tweaking the swerve design. After the first version was built, a few key problems came to light. Members have been working to change up the design to use more robust components and make manufacturing an easier and quicker process. The group has only a couple more of these issues to tackle before they will be ready for motor tests. Fortunately, for most of these, solutions are in mind that members are working to implement. Members are hoping to be testing this module very soon, and then work out any remaining issues before moving on to manufacturing the other three identical modules to build a full drivetrain.

Intake/Indexer:
​          With the final CAD for the robot still in progress, the Intake/Indexer group has been quite busy making the final model of our system in CAD over the last two weeks. Although this may not be a challenge, given that members can take a lot of measurements from the prototype, the real challenge comes from integrating the system with other systems. Members have had discussions with the shooter group about how power cells will feed from the indexer to the shooter. In the coming meetings, the group intends to continue dialogue about integrating the intake/indexer system with the other systems.

Team Operations:
​          This past week, Team Ops had been hard at work preparing for the FIRST Innovation Challenge judges interview. Members created a slideshow consisting of a two-minute business pitch and a three-minute presentation, to share our design with two FIRST Judges. Team Ops has also been planning an upcoming Virtual Bingo fundraiser which will take place on Saturday, May 1st. For more details about registration, see our previous blog post. Additionally, we are hosting a Blaze Pizza fundraiser which will be held on Thursday, April 22nd. The flyer for this event can be found on our socials and on the homepage of our website. We hope to see lots of orders placed to support us, and hope to see you all there!

​Control Panel:
​          This week, the Control Panel group worked on a final build of their prototype. After discussion with the Intake/Indexer group, the existing mount was changed to fit their needs. Additionally, the CAD model was changed to accurately represent the prototype. There was a problem with the belt slipping, so a grip tape was added to solve the problem and get more traction. The group also changed the upper assembly to have new 3D printed parts, and Lexan replaced wood to add a sturdier finish. Lastly, a 3-inch wide belt was added to complete the upper assembly. Plans for future progress are to finish the CAD and complete final assembly for the bottom mount.