Rolling Thunder Blog of Wonder - 2012 Build Season

Shhh...the robot is sleeping!

nospam@example.com (Cynette Cavaliere) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:57:00 -0800

Our robot, name still to be determined, was bagged and tagged on Tuesday night after a full day of primping!

It received fancy decals of the team name and sponsors made for us by Liz Smith of Two Pencil Designs. The indicator lights were readjusted, a camera cover was put on and several other mechanical tweaks were made. Photos were taken and the robot was weighed (112 lbs) before being packed up.

The team still has the practice robot to finish along with the myriad of items that need to be done before competition, so we are meeting tonight and there will be very regular team meetings between now and the Finger Lakes Regional Competition!

Sponsor logos by Two Pencil Designs

It's in the bag!

A Successful Rally!

nospam@example.com (Cynette Cavaliere) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:26:00 -0800

Our Rochester Rally was yesterday and it was a resounding success!

The field crew was assisted by Mr. Pizzo, many students and mentors and was finally completed at about 1:30 am on Saturday AM. Thanks to Mentor Amy and Student Leader Jason and crew, it looked great! And thanks to Team Founder, Kim, for the midnight brownie snack to give us the energy to finish the field!

The teams started arriving Friday night and early Saturday morning and were given a chance to run simulated matches as well as have time for open practice on the field. Our robot made it to the field as well, and balanced on the bridge, climbed over the wall and scored a few balls during practice runs!

Many teams took advantage of our shop, our crackerjack programmers and Thundermart to get their robots running.

Our opening speakers from Harris and Tenrehte Technologies helped make Rally a class event!

FLR Lead Robot Inspector, Rob, spent times with the teams making sure they would have legal robots at the Finger Lakes Regional (March 8-10).

The FREE CAKE was great as always!

1511's Robot takes a shot!

The cake (one of two!)

The final week - Where is the Robot?

nospam@example.com (Student Blogger) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:16:00 -0800

Lots of people are taking tests, including me. Make sure to take your tests, everyone!

The robot is almost done and should be ready in time for Rally (which is this Sunday)!

Field is "Sort of done." A mentor said it, not me. On a similar note, we have painted almost everything. (Including the floor, oops!)

Drive train programming is completed, as is storage programming, and the arm programming is aaaaalmost done. I was not able to speak to anyone from hybrid/autonomous yet but since our programmers are so awesome I bet it is going well.

Remember, if you don't have anything to do, go see if you can help field with anything or help in the shop!*

*Unless you are Kieran, who is exempt from all forms of work.**

**Not really.

Week 6 events!

Girl Scout Visit!

Open House for Harris management, PHS staff, and other sponsors!

Week Five - 2/9/12

nospam@example.com (Student Blogger) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:29:47 -0800

We are now in week five of build season! People are taking game, tool, and safety tests! The robot should be completed by the end of this week, and then we shall practice with it! The team has collected lots of electronics for the used electronics recycling drive but we need more, bring it in to Mr. Brewer's room. Next Wednesday is our Build Open House so we'll be in full uniform. Corporate officials from the school administration, Harris and Camtek will be coming in to see our progress. In addition, two troops of Girl Scouts will be coming in to observe us on Saturday.

Andy's new scouting program is "Doing very well." On a somewhat related note, all of the drive team/pit crew applications have been sent in and drive team interviews are beginning. Mo, Matthieu, and Shana have been selected to present for Chairman's.

A new bio page will soon be going up as soon as everyone turns in Photo Release Consent (PRC) forms! Don't miss it!

Wearing PJs for Ice Cream for Breakfast Day

Programmers at Work!

The joyous work continues!

nospam@example.com (Student Blogger) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:07:49 -0800

The first drive train is complete! Electrical has finished their prototype drawing! They are also almost done with their computerized drawing! Hybrid programming is collecting parameters for the robot and making steady progress in general. The rest of the teams are also hard at work and have been for the entire day.

Testing the Drivetrain

Electrical Designers at work - or are they reading the blog?

State of the team - 1/24/2012

nospam@example.com (Student Blogger) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:26:58 -0800

I wasn't able to do much more than collect some statements from each sub-team, but at least the blog is finally getting updated!

Week three of build season in upon us! The control and electrical teams are both nearly finished with their respective designs and we should see both by Thursday. Students and mentors have told me that the shooter is going "Fantastic." The chairman's group has started filming this year's chairman's video and the essay is being circulated for edits and comments. The drive train group is chaining. Dogtag sales should hopefully be picking up soon; see Austin (the alumnus one, not the student) to order one. Andy has a functional scouting program set up although he plans to make further improvements before loading it onto the scouting laptops. Finally, marketing would like to hear people's input on the team logo for this year.

Ciana and Molly capturing the team on video

Logo Designs - which one will it be?

Build season - Mid week two - The future's so bright I can't bear to look!

nospam@example.com (Student Blogger) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:15:30 -0800

Everyone is working very hard! The drive train is nearly completed! Field has a fully functioning ramp! Andy says the scouting system is going very well! The conveyor is being designed! Mechanical is making steady progress! Yay.

Shayna Testing the Bridge

Our enthusiastic blogger

Introducing the 2012 Rolling Thunder Build Season Blog!

nospam@example.com (Cynette Cavaliere) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:00:00 -0800

Welcome to Rolling Thunder's 2012 Build Season!

Our blog is getting a bit of a late start... but we have a student blogger! Kieran has accepted this responsibility in among other tasks for the marketing group and in building our robot.

I hope you enjoy his unique perspective!