Keyways and Cam Wars

It is 11:00 PM on a Sunday night with a snowstorm blowing outside and work continues on the robots.  Just like the U.S. mail, neither sleet, nor rain, nor ice, nor snow can keep the robots from progressing!  Although we do get a bit giddy with sleep deprivation...the Martian Robots continue to evolve!

During our test of robot #2, it began making odd noises and responding sluggishly.  The above video footage above, (however comical) was due to the loss of a tiny metal 'key' that fits into its slot in the robot drivetrain.  Per the instructions of our fearless Lead Mentor, we searched feverishly for that all too critical 'lost' part that supposedly came off during the test run - only to find it back in the build room on the workbench where it had been all along! :-)

Tonight we finished the deployment mechanism tweaks on for the minbot platform.  Looks like we'll need a couple of adjustments, but all is well thus far.

Wiring the new limit switch on the elevator was an important item in todays robot agenda.  Also, the fabrication of protective lexan panels for both protection of the robot components as well as safety in handling its components.

Even the tiniest of gearbox mechanisms can be utilized in the fabrication of our robots.

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