Robojacks Blog Four

February 1, 2016

Putting the Pieces Together

Our chassis is coming along using a variety of original designs, and some major components are even products of one of our 3D printers! We are happy with our progress, and are considering what we should use for pneumatics in our design.

The Hero

Thanks to the heroic efforts to Gabe and his wallet, our day was saved and our bellies filled. We have a sign-up sheet for snacks every Tuesday of the build season, and for his day Gabe brought several hot Domino's pizzas and several 12 packs of pop. "Ya, I wanted to get too much pop," he says "so that we can have some in reserve." Our productivity increased exponentially after a temporary flat-line, and Gabe was thanked by most of the students that where there.

PRGM

The programming team has been busy at work on the expensive laptop that LaValley donated to us, and now are waiting for the completed chassis to test them. We have a lot of programmers-in-training, so we are confident that when our seniors leave that 4674 will be in good shape.

plenty of things to be built f'r this year, a new robot cart, new pit dec'r and of course a new robot. and i hast anon decid'd that mine final w'rd of each blog will be in shakespearean in hon'r of stronghold, this years competition. we art staying active and venturing onward!

-Author Hunter Bolte

Robojacks Blog Three

January 19, 2016

The Game

The time has come and the season has started! This years game: Stronghold, will host a variety of challenges to complete within the game, and perhaps has the largest amount of objects on the playing field. From driving over rough terrain to shooting dodge balls (boulders the're called), hopefully our treads will be able to traverse over them all. For full details on what the game is and how its played, visit the official website:
http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/welcome-to-first-stronghold

Buisness Cards

We have developed our first business cards! Now all we have to do is get a few printed and we will be good to go.

Tank-ish Chassis

We have decided to go with a tank drive system for our chassis this season. This will involve some home-made 3D printed parts and other professionally-made makeshift things we have also made some progress on what we will build for the ball-grabbing mechanism.

We are on our way! Its crazy busy in the CAD room (the computer lab in which we work) right now and we are getting stuff done. This is to the new season!

-Author Hunter Bolte

Robojacks Blog Two

January 7, 2016

Coaches Corner

We are eagerly awaiting this Saturday in anticipation of the launch of this years game. The team is making final preparations for the next 6 weeks of building a robot which we hope will meet our season goal of making the playoff rounds at our Regional Competition in April. We are still in need of some outside help and mentorship for our team. If you are interested in helping us with everything from; electronics to programming, metal working, and carpentry work we need your help! Please contact me at 218-556-3645 to discuss details. Watch for next week's blog blast to find out what this years game is and our progress. Thanks for your support!

Go RoboJacks!

-Coach Chris Conway

LaValley Industries

We visited Lavalley Industries and where able to talk with them to tell them about us and see exactly what they where about. It was an interesting experience  to see some of the major equipment built in out own town that sets the standard high across the globe! At the end of the whole thing, I believe that it went well and that they at least know a little about what we do.

Popcorn Sales

The popcorn sales have been doing fantastic! Some of the members in our team have truly been going out of their way to sell as much as possible, and it has been showing as our varieties have been reduced and we will now have to order more of flavors that have quickly sold out. Stay tuned for more popcorn sales information.

Pit Decor

If you walk around the area designated for the pits at a FIRST Robotics Competition, you will see that many teams have decorations marking the boarders of their pit, or that are somewhere within their pit area. In previous years we have had small things such as a banner, (which looked great by the way) but that was about it. This year we are going to have an actual pit design, which was designed by a small group of our build team and programming team students. We will continue to post updates on the "pit" for your viewing.

New Fundraising Opportunity!

Our business team has set up something with a website as to where if someone where to complete any amount of tasks given, such as watching a short advertisement, you could raise up to $4 for our team! This is short lived, only lasting about 9 days from the day it started, and can give our team up to $200. If you have the spare time we would highly appreciate your participation, but completely understand if you do not wish to or have already sponsored us. However, if you are apart of our team it is recommended that you at least take a look.

https://www.pearup.com/robojacks/rally

Sorry for the late post this week, and thank you for your patience.

-Author Hunter Bolte

Robojacks Blog One

December 22, 2015

The New Blog

Hello, and welcome to team 4674’s official blog! This blog will be a weekly post of the main things happening within our team. We will give notifications of fundraisers, post photos, tell you about up-coming events and give you the basic information.

Parents! We need you help!

Build Season is coming!  Our Kick-off event at Nevis High School is January 9th.  This is the big day we find out what the game is for this season.  The following six weeks are spent using every minute of every day we can to build an amazing robot.  This is where you come in parents!  We need parents to volunteer to help/mentor students after school for the 6 weeks that follow January 9th.  Any amount to time you can commit would be amazing.  If you have any experience in metals, electricity, machining, programing, running business or carpentry we need you!  There will be a short informational meeting at 5pm at BHS in room 2155 on January 5th to organize a group of parents that are willing to help us.  Every successful FIRST Robotics team has a host of volunteer mentors that make the team strong.  For more information call our coach Chris Conway at 218-556-3645.

Popcorn Fundraiser

Our first fundraiser is here! We are currently selling popcorn from the Popcorn Factory, a company that makes fresh bagged popcorn upon order. Currently we have the following flavors available in 6 oz. bags for $4: Caramel and Almond. These flavors are only $2 and at 1.5 oz.: White Cheddar and Jalapeno. We are also selling popcorn balls for $1 and are 1 oz.

LaValley Industries

http://www.lavalleyindustries.com/

On December 22, we will be going to Lavalley Industries and presenting to them about who we are. They will be one of the many companies and businesses that we will go to in order to get support for our team.

The Kickoff

On January 9^th we will be going to the kickoff! At this event we will be getting our first peek at what our event is going to be based on and how to play the game. This will be the start of our intensive build season in which most of the work will be done, including the construction of our robot.  Our team is leaving
the High School at 7am and returning by 5pm on this day.

The Robojacks Blog

Thursday December 18, 2015

     Greetings, this is the official blog of the FIRST team 4674, aka the Robojacks. If you have received this then either you or your child is a part of our great team, and will be receiving these weekly. We will give general information and important reminders in the future, so be ready to hear form us soon! For more information on our team visit our website here.