RiotCrew

A Farewell to Tools

patrick — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:56:53 +0000

It is the end of another build season and as we prepare for the upcoming competition I would like to pause a moment and recognize everyone who made this build season possible.

First, the students who’s sweat and effort, with maybe a touch of blood here and there, put our robot together.

Next, our coach who sets the course for the team and makes sure that we all are marching in more or less the same direction.

Let us not forget, the mentors and teachers who patiently guided and assisted the students in their efforts, and gifted us with the knowledge we needed to proceed.

Of course there are the parents, who provided transportation to our meetings and food to eat on those long Saturdays.

Last, but not least, Fairchild Semiconductor and all of our sponsors. The funding you provide to our team makes it possible to register for competition, to buy the materials needed to build the robot, to travel to our regional to compete, and to purchase all those thousand and one other little essentials that keep this team running smooth.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this build season! Our work may be far from over with competition looming ever closer, but we can all take a deep breath and say: “Damn, that is one fine ‘bot we built there!”

I look forward to seeing you all at competition!

The Riot Crew’s Robot – ‘Betty’

patrick — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:01:49 +0000

See our 2012 robot ‘Betty’ in action on our practice court.

Visit YouTube to see the full video and other videos posted by the RiotCrew.

Riot Crew Update Feb 8, 2012

gilead — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:14:48 +0000

A lot has been going on in the shop over the past few days. We have almost finalized the design of the arm. The bridge lowering device is done. Work on the second base continues. We have 2 fully functioning electronic boxes. The goal is to have a working robot by Saturday.

On Saturday Feb. 11 there will be a team picture at 12:30. All members need to attend and wear their shirts.

On Wednesday Feb. 15 we are having another fundraiser at UNO’s. UNO’s will donate a portion of their proceeds to the robotics team for every person that brings a coupon in. Coupons are attached. Please send them to all you friends and family and encourage them to eat at UNO’s.

SPHS Robotics 2-15 (link to UNO’s coupons)

- Gilead

EMAIL

Gavin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:58:13 +0000

Today, we had success. Sean and a few other people worked on how the robot would pick up the ball(s). They devised a mechanism that had two conveyor belts that suck up the ball and shoot it through the top. Wood shop worked on the “thing that brings down the bridge”. The tech guys talked about the storyboard, and continued on the animation. The transmission base of the final robot was being worked on as well. Mecanum Wheels will be here tomorrow!

FUNDRAISER: Willows is THIS COMING MONDAY from 4-9, so get your pizza loving side ready!

-Gavin

Wednesday January 25th

aaron — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:32:48 +0000

Hello and good evening everyone, here is your nightly email from the Riot Crew.

In the shop, the frame for the second robot is being assembled. Also the bridge lowering mechanism is getting its finishing touches. The ball pickup mechanism is also being worked on and from my understanding we are going to put it on the front of the robot instead of the side due to feasibility and time. We are using a similar approach to pick up the balls as we did on Sir Launch a Lot by using a belt rotating on two cylinders.

In the Animation room they are working on getting a story board and have completed their first models.

The spirit team is working on assembling the mini Jethros to hand out at the competition.

Jim and Gilead are working on the primary base and assembling a prototype version of the arm. They are also planning out where everything is going to be on the robot, like the fifth, center wheel for more traction when balancing on the bridge.

Also there is going to be a fundraiser at Willows on January 30th. Stop by between the hours of 5-9 pm. 15 percent of the money earned in those hours will be donated to the team!

2012-01-23 E-mail

taaniel — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:01:12 +0000

Today (January 23, 2012),

Isaac is working on the logo for the website. Spirit will be learning to use the video equipment to take videos during the building season and at competition. We have discovered a way for the robot to climb the ramp by adding a fifth wheel. Now we don’t have to worry about having the robot over the hump. We are working on the “ball-pick-up” mechanism and the “ball-placement” mechanism. We are setting up a practice area with rugs, goals, and a ramp. So that when the robot is ready, it will have a place to practice. The animation team is starting to work on the school building for their animation.

-Taaniel Kiidli

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Alex — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:44:48 +0000

Tonight at robotics, stuff happened, people died, and nuclear warheads destroyed the Earth. Got ya there didn’t I? No, no, probably not but who cares it was worth a try right? In the shop nothing has progressed because Andy showed up. In the other room, they worked on a way for the robot to go over the ramp and balance on top of it. Spirit kids did not show up (the robot ate them) so there was little to no progress on the spirit. The animation monkeys worked on the story board. Also, a generous donation of a very nice drill and about $500 worth of wood was made by Home Depot a few nights ago. Now here’s a puzzle. If you figure it out bring your answer to the next meeting (Friday)

Heart of Darkness,
Coat of Grain,
Was once alive,
Now feels no pain,
Never walks, but
Leaves a Trail.
Circle head and pointed tail.
Grows shorter as the day goes on-
Its waistline is a hexagon.

What am I?

-Alex Manning

48 days without machines becoming self aware

1/18/12 yay…

senna — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:14:58 +0000

hey yall

today people on the robot are working on getting the robot get on the ramp. the programmers programmed the robot (duh) \(^o^)/ the spirit guys are working on the mini jethros (T-T) and the animators are well, animating.

- Happy Wednesday Senna

A Big Thank You To Home Depot

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:46:39 +0000

We would like to thank the Home Depot in South Portland Maine for their very generous donation.

Thank you very much, your support is very much appreciated!

January 17, 2012 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)

e.jacub — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:45:51 +0000

The ramp was almost completed this evening, it just needs weight added to it to simulate the real thing. Also the back boards were made and are awaiting the hoops. IF ANYONE HAS A HOOP THEY COULD LET US USE REMEMBER TO BRING IT IN.

Last years robot is in the the process of dropping the wheels to 4.5″ below the frame, so that we can try to clear the middle bump.

REMINDER:

Please help support South Portland High School Robotics by eating at UNO Chicago Grill.

UNO WILL DONATE UP TO 20% OF YOUR CHECK TO THE SPHS Robotics TEAM ON Wed, January 18^th ALL DAY! Dine in or take out. All you have to do is print off the attached coupon( SPHS Robotics 1-18 circled )and present it at the time of payment.

Please distribute to anyone and everyone who may choose to dine in or take out on Wed 1/18.

Thank you all for your support!

Jacub Emery