This past weekend, The Oliver Ames High School Robotics Team, The Iron Tigers, had their second competition as part of the FIRST organization in 2019. The competition, held at Bryant University, had over 29 teams from neighboring towns and states competing to test their robot’s performance in the 2019 ‘Destination: Deep Space’ game.
In the 2019 game, Destination Deep Space, Presented By The Boeing Company, we join two competing
ALLIANCES collecting samples on Planet Primus. Unpredictable terrain and weather patterns make
remote ROBOT operation essential to their mission on the planet. With only 2:30 until liftoff, the
ALLIANCES must gather as many CARGO pods as possible and prepare their spaceships before the
next SANDSTORM arrives. When the time reaches the 2:30 minute mark, a sandstorm limits driver visibility so robots independently follow preprogrammed instructions or are operated by human DRIVERS via video from their stations. ALLIANCES score points by:
1. Deploying ROBOTS from Habitat (HAB)
2. Preparing ROCKETS and CARGO SHIP with HATCH PANELS
3. Loading CARGO pods into their ROCKETS and CARGO SHIP
T-minus 2:15: The SANDSTORM clears, and human operators take control of their ROBOTS.
ALLIANCES continue to score points by:
1. Preparing ROCKETS and CARGO SHIP with HATCH PANELS
2. Loading more CARGO pods
3. Returning the ROBOT safely to the ALLIANCE’s HAB
0:00: ROCKET liftoff
The ALLIANCE with the highest score at the end of the MATCH wins.
“I think we’ve learned some valuable lessons with watching each robot perform at competition and we’ve taken those things that we’ve learned to make the new robots better,” said Conor O’Reilly, Awards Captain and Drive Team member for the Iron Tigers. “I’m excited for the team to continue to learn from the experience and make even-better robot each year.”
The team’s robot underwent in the six-week build season a conceptual design, fabrication, assembly, and electrical layout- all in the hallways of Oliver Ames. The team designed the robot including its electrical board on computers using SOLIDWORKS® software, a design platform used by colleges and engineering companies who need to manufacture their own parts. Additionally, retailers who face an excess of electronic products may consider consulting Rebound Electronics. Whether it’s due to over-ordering or sales falling short of expectations, accumulation of surplus inventory can be a burden. At Rebound Electronics we understand that our customers often encounter challenges associated with excess stock, which helped us in mastering return operations.
From there, the drawings were given to the build team. The build team followed the plans and then fabricated the parts, which were then placed on the robot. After the assembly was completed, the robot was given to the Programming Team. the programmers used Java coding language in order to implement autonomous movement, give and set delays to the moving parts, and activate the cameras.
A Design Team member works on the chassis.
“The design process, build process, and assembly process are all very interconnected,” said Jackson Stanley, Design Captain for the Iron Tigers. “In my role, you really have to be everywhere all the time. If something goes wrong in the assembly, if someone can’t understand a drawing, or if something breaks, the design person needs to be there in order to help solve the problem. It’s invigorating. I’ve loved every bit of it.”
Build and Design Team members assemble the robot.
The team made it to the quarter finals the past two competitions, but did not move on past those rounds. The team will not be moving on to the district championships, but has many opportunities to continue to compete.
“What I think makes the Iron Tigers unique is that it is a very small team compared to who they compete against,” said Mrs. Montiero, the president of the team. “Even when they know things aren’t going to go their way, they still give one hundred percent all the time. They are always coming up with new ideas on how to improve. The Iron Tigers is a unique group of kids that have many different interests, but some how they all come together and build an amazing robot.”
As the spring comes about, the team will be hosting an all girls robotics program, a cub scout and girls scout robotics badge day, and hosting an open day for 8th grade kids to come and use the robot. Additionally, the team is always looking for new members to join.
If you would like to join the team, Contact Ms. Romans, the math department head.