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January 14th



Hello team,

Although most of the team is out for finals week, there are just a few notable updates concerning our progress. In design, a couple of small additions were made including a holder mechanism on the end of the tube (so that the balls don't automatically get shot) as well as a battery holder for the drivetrain. Drivetrain parts were ordered and special parts to be milled and waterjet (from our sponsors) were also sent. We anticipate for them to take about a week (or hopefully less) to arrive.



Pictures of the battery holder and added stop for the ball at the end of the tube.

In the meantime, build will be working on the leftover drivetrain pieces with the materials we have and once we get the rest, we'll finish that up soon. Design-wise, drivetrain is right on schedule and if the shipping is according to our planning, build should be able to be right on track as well. As per the field pieces, build is still lagging behind. They were, however, able to add the level and minimum position hardstop pieces for the shield generator. This should allow us to start prototyping some climbing adjustment mechanisms. If we spend some time working on the weekend, build should be able to completely finalize the field pieces as well as set up the room for driving.



Pictures of the shield generator assembly at the level minimum hardstop.

Slight side note: the room is a bit small. Essentially, the distance between the color panel and the power port is too large to be able to fit them both within the room. In addition, the top power port does not fit within the room. On top of that, the distance between the shield generator and power port might also be too big to fit within the room (has yet to be measured for sure). So, we will probably have to practice with a shorter distance between the shield generator and color panel as well as wheel out the robot and power port when we have to practice shooting. There is a decent open space right outside the room without a roof where we might be able to lay carpet and put up the whole port assembly but we wouldn't be able to practice with the rest of the elements. Nevertheless, the central point of all this is that the driver practice experience will be considerably different than the actual one so we must have that in the back of our mind when practicing.

Looking forward, build should start working on some updated shooter prototypes and some new climber prototypes and software should hopefully be able to spend some more time working on autonomous and limelight tracking after finals. Design will hopefully keep pushing on with the good CAD work and electrical should hopefully have a nice period of time to rest. Overall, there are a couple of setbacks (like a somewhat disorganized build room and slightly lagging progress with build and software) but with some more work after finals, we should be able to be right on track for success.

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