Week 14 Update

Swerve: 
      These past two weeks, the swerve group has been working mainly on testing. Now that the next iteration of the module manufactured and assembled, they have been working closely with Software to ensure the module works as designed from a mechanical standpoint. Unfortunately, a few issues came up. Belts tend to skip under load, and one of the pulleys has some play and is able to wobble on its V-Groove setup. Members are currently working on alleviating these problems, and are 3D printing replacement parts and new components to fit to the module. Additionally, the group is right back to the testing stand for final evaluation before moving on to manufacturing the other 3 modules.


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Control Panel: 
      In the Control Panel group, members worked with the Intake/Indexer group to figure out how to merge the subsystems into one. While discussing, the groups looked at all the mounting options and found that the original design would cause problems integrating the Control Panel system with the Intake/Indexer system. The groups worked together to tweak the design and the new mount is finalized in CAD. Now it will be sent off to the final design review by the entire team. Members are looking into 3D printing new rollers and spacers as they don’t have a final build look to them with the extensions that were added in, a few meetings ago. 

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Intake/Indexer:
      Over the course of the past two weeks, the Intake/Indexer group has made great progress. After continuing discussion with the shooter group, the systems are now integrated. Indexer has also been conversing with the Control Panel group about how to mount their system. After the design for the Indexer was finalized, clean-up work for the CAD was completed by adding wheels, pulleys, and isometric patterns to lighten the design. Members have also done the Bill of Materials for the system and are ordering parts for manufacturing.

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Software:
      The Software team submitted all of our FRC At Home challenges and has set sights on a new goal: tuning the swerve module for a fully operational swerve drivetrain. The group has been working with a newly fabricated and assembled module that the mechanical group has recently finished, tuning it to pivot and drive at precise angles and velocities. Members used the previous skeleton code that was made for the swerve drivetrain and added additional code to compensate for working with the Falcon 500s (motors). The group is also working to maximize the speed with which the module can change direction. Much time was spent working on the PID values of the module and tuning them so that we can run and translate smoothly. Members have also started working to integrate FRC Dashboard into our systems. Additionally, the Software team has been working with the Mini-Bot to test out a new type of autonomous control that will allow us to easily follow complicated paths with our future robot!

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Shooter: 
      With the design review now complete, the Shooter group has been modifying their CAD with final touches. The adjustable hood can now be made as further modifications will likely be applied to it, which leaves the ramp and base plates that hold everything together. Members also spent time learning how to use the Velox and how to cut out new shafts and churros for additional changes. 

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Team Operations: 
      Team Ops has been hard at work to ensure that both of our upcoming fundraisers run successfully! Next Thursday, the team will be hosting a Blaze Pizza fundraiser at the Burlington location. We will be posting about this fundraiser throughout the week. Spread the word with any local friends to help us reach our fundraising goal. The team hopes to see lots of orders placed to support the team on 4/22 from 5-9 PM! Additionally, the team has also been spending time planning our Virtual BINGO Night Event! We have created social media posts over the last few weeks. Feel free to share these posts to help us reach a larger audience and gain publicity. The past few weeks we have gathered great prizes to give away to the winners of each round! Student team members have been working hard to make sure the event runs smoothly for all of our supporters. We hope to see you all on May 1st from 6-8PM for a fun night of BINGO! For more information about these fundraisers visit our Facebook Page (FRC Team 4909 - Bionics). 

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