Students Build 2018 Competition Robot "Locust"

Since Kickoff, students have been busy making parts and assembling their 2018 competition robot "Locust". As in past years, students continue their tradition of naming their creations after trees. Students decided to minimize risk and used a standard AndyMark "West Coast" drive.  FIRST Robotic Competition teams used this drive in past years with success.

On each side two CIM motors drive the center transmission and wheels. Coach Stokely suggested the low-high gear shift (just inside at the center wheel). Student drivers will use pneumatics (air pressure) to shift from high to low during a match.  Low speed will only be used for winning a pushing contest with an opposing robot. Rubber timing belts drive the front and back wheels (6" diameter).  The center wheels are slightly lower than the others to make turning easier. The game piece that the robots will place on scales is the yellow "Power Cube". This is a standard milk crate measuring 13" wide x 13" deep x 11" tall.  Last year's red and blue bumpers are resting on the "Power Cube".

The next photo is a snapshot of collaboration, a key ingredient Team 5295 "Aldernating Current" learned from Team 4450 "Olympia Robotics Federation". The black object on the left is the team's robot cart. Note the hydraulic lift is able to lift or lower the robot shelf so our mechanics can work at a height comfortable for them.  In fall 2016 Jaeden led the robot cart design.  He used the Onshape computer-aided-design training taught by 4-H volunteer D.Rankin in the summer at the PUD3 auditorium. Oakland Bay Landscape Services donated the iron bars and welded the frame together. The Career Technical Education department of Shelton School District bought the drawers and hydraulic lift. The team used the robot cart at all four competitions last year including the World Championship.  

On the robot shelf is the center mast that will lift the elevator and a single Power Cube at a time.  The high goal this year is placing Power Cubes on a scale four to six feet high.  If the scale is in our favor we earn 1 point per second.  The low goal is placing a Power Cube on a switch about 14" above the floor.  When our alliance's switch leans our way, we score 1 point per second.  The center mast is built from 80/20 extrusion.  Three year sponsor Fastenal of Tumwater donates 80/20 extrusions, joints, and fasteners to Aldernating Current.  The students build the robot in the weld shop.  The flannel shirt (upper center) is a team color along with red (positive), black (ground), and green (tree).

There will not be many photos of students working in the robot shop until students and their parents sign the new media release form.  Shelton School District is the third school district in the state to adopt a social media policy.