Almost There

The past week wasn't as productive as we'd hoped due to the scarcity of time slots on the mill. However, our car assembly is finished including the main car module, the sweeper system, and the mechanical arm. If we can get some time on the mill Monday we should be able to finish our flipper blocker, which was proposed as a "time permitting" module anyways. We can also devote a lot more time to driver's training now, which is going to be key to our machine not getting stuck in the slot or funnels.

John milling the first part of our flipper blocker

Testing our extending arm

The arm raised in the starting position

Extended fully into the slot



Updated Schedule

http://goo.gl/7fux

MCM: Up and Running

After a rush of machining and assembly, we got our MCM up and running for MS8. Our car drives and turns well and the sweepers proved capable of collecting and holding balls. Some changes to the gearing and more traction on the drive wheels are needed to optimize performance, but even as it is right now I think it's safe to say our triumph is inevitable. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures until after we'd passed on the control system and begun modifications.

Steve adjusting one of our gearboxes

Our MCM with sweeper motor removed, but showing off the sweepers and drivetrain.

Final CAD model of our MCM with a secondary module attached

All of the engineering for our other modules (which focus on slot-play) is also done, and next week will be a flurry of activity as we work to machine and assemble those modules.

MCM Parts and Assembly

This week we got the last of our ordered parts in (including pulleys and belts for our sweeper system). After dealing with a few hiccups, we've fabricated just about every part needed for our MCM. Assembly has begun and we should be able to get our motors on and powered up at the beginning of next week. After that we'll be able to move on to our other modules.

The mount, axles, and gears for the sweeper system.

Our main drive wheels and mounts.

Things are starting to come together:



First Week of Fabrication

After making some changes to our module designs, we finally got to hit the machine shop this week. Everyone's been able to get in throughout the day and we've got a lot of finished parts to show for our effort.

So far we've used most of the machines (lathe, mill, band saw, arbor press) and mulitple processes (turning, cutting, drilling, pressing, threading). Some of the parts we've ordered have started coming in, and as soon as we get the rest and some more raw materials we'll be able to fabricate the last of our MCM parts. Barring a lack of materials, we should be able to start assembling the module early next week. By the end of the week we should have moved on to fine tuning and fabricating the next modules.

Team Schedule

http://goo.gl/7fux

Strategy

Our strategy is to score the table-top balls in the funnel, and the slot balls in the slot.

Machine Concept:

We have a sweeper car that will gather the balls on the table top. We will then drive the car to the funnel, and drop them off to score. For the slot play, we will have either a seperate car with an arm, or incorporate an arm into the sweeper car, to manipulate balls toward the flipper to score in the slot. For the slot play, we have a device that will lock the flipper toward the opponent so we can score, and play defense at the same time.

A possible slot car module

Module to lock open the flipper

Sweeper car module