Testing

VEX Robotics Aquatic Challenges

Point Value Assessment Sheet

Challenge 1: Ball Through Hoop

-Ball goes through the hoop        = 5 Points

-Ball hits the hoop                       = 3 Points

-Ball is deployed                          = 1 Point

-Ball is not deployed                    = 0 Points

Challenge 2: Boat Tow

-Vessel is towed and dropped off

Successfully At Target Location = 5 Points 

-Vessel is towed but not dropped

Off at target location                   = 3 Points

-Vessel not towed                        = 0 Points  

Challenge 3: Buoy Drop                         

-Buoy dropped in target area       = 5 Points

-Buoy dropped within 3”

Of target area                               = 3 Points

-Buoy dropped                             = 1 Points

-Buoy not dropped                       = 0 Points

Challenge 4: Boat Sink

-Target vessel is sunk                   = 5 Points

-Target vessel is damaged but      = 3 Points

Not sunk

-Target vessel is unharmed           = 0 Points

May 30, 2012

Adrian, Nicholas and I contacted Asbury Park Press together.

Log May 14, 2012

This week and last week, we have been getting ready for the senior project night. We have balanced our kit, and tested in the tank many times with the buoys and all of the challenges. Though our kit is slower than I would like, it has been able to complete the challenges successfully and accurately. Overall I am pleased with our kit and am very excited to present it at the senior project night.

Log June 1, 2012

As the year comes to a close, we have been preparing our projects for display in the Monmouth county library. We have created a foam wave, abstract, and pictures to display our kit with, and we have high hopes to educate young children and adults about the work we are doing here at MAST.

Log May 21, 2012

Last week we had our senior project night. Throughout this night, our group did multiple demonstrations of our VEX robotics kit for the crowds. The kits gathered many spectators and worked successfully (for the most part). Along with the demonstrations of our kits, we were there to answer questions of spectators, and had posters of our projects on display. These posters aided in the description of our course as a whole and depicting what we have done for the year

Log April 16, 2012

Though much progress has been made on the tank and the challenges as well, several things are still left to be done:

• the hook (for the signalling an aircraft challenge)
• the boat (sink the boat challenge)
• and the buoy (drop the buoy challenge)
• craft the floating walls of the inside of the tank

To complete these tasks, I must design structure that will attach to the tank to support the hoop. The hoop has been purchased already assembled but has not been attached. The boat must be constructed out of a sinkable material so that is still in the design stages. The buoy must be crafted out of foam, but also must be weighted at the bottom so it will float right-side-up. Finally the walls need to be cut of foam, and attached to the weights (which have already been assembled).

Log March 27, 2012

This past week we have been listening to the presentations given by our classmates. Throughout these presentations we have had visitors from the national park service, guidance office, and the class of 2013.

March 23, 2012

After over a month of construction, I took many pictures of my progress, but had not taken the time to to update my logs to reflect the progress which I had done. The last few days I have done updated my logs, listened to presentations, and done work with my group members to prepare for our presentation on Monday.

Log March 20, 2012

After constructing boats which had been deemed not fit for application, I had begun construction on a new set of boats. Using balsa wood and hot glue, I have constructed a new boat which would be more suitable for the towing boat challenge. After completing the boat, I have coated it in acrylic paint to create a more finished look and make it more water proof/water tight.

Log March 13, 2012

After completion of the tank, we were tasked with ensuring that the tank would be water proof. using caulk, we filled the edges and corners of the inside of the tank, and filled the tank to test whether we had ben successful or not.

Log March 9, 2012

Unfortunately, while attempting to fix our tank, the wood split (as can be seen above). Using some wood glue and clamps we were able to fill the crack and salvage our tank. This week, we have also glued our liner outside of the tank, and have begun to attach the liner to the inside of the tank. Using contact cement, and brushes we were able to attach the liner to the tank, and using a staple gun we secured the excess liner to the outside of the tank.

Log March 6, 2012

We have finished cutting both halves of the liner today, and are waiting to begin using contact cement to adhere them to the tank shortly. Unfortunately due to the length of time associated with this, we cannot begin today, We have however placed the liner in the tank to assure that the liner fits nicely in the tank. Above is a picture of this process. 

Log March 2, 2012

After completing the structure of the tank, the next major task has been lining the tank. With Nicholas out much of this week, Adrian and I have been measuring, marking, and cutting the liner to fit neatly inside the tank. We have realized that we can use two 10 foot pieces of liner (5 feet wide) to line the tank, provided that we can cut the liner in the right place. Using mathematics, aided by Mr. Cuttrell and Mr. Barnes, we are certain that we will be successful. Attached is a picture of Adrian and I using a chalk line to mark the liner at the corners.

Log February 28, 2012

After creating the walls of the tank, my group members and I have begun the construction of the bottom of the tank. Using a power drill, and 1 inch wood screws placed every 5 inches, we have screwed two 4'x8" sheets of ply wood to the bottom of the tank, creating an open top box. Above, I can be seen drilling these screws, and the group can also be seen standing in the tank.

Log February 24 2012

After completing construction on my model tank, I have begun construction once again on my full sized tank. This entailed using a circular saw (similar to the one shown here) to cut 2 inches long ways off of each of the 8'x7"x2" boards. This made it so that when we connected the walls using 3 inch wood screws, it would create an 8'x'8'x7" box.

Log February 21, 2012

So far this week, I have laid out the second piece of liner on the tank, Again this proved to be much easier with experience. I have also caulked the corners of my tank to ensure that they are water proof. After caulking the corners I have also used a staple gun to keep the excess material neatly to the side of the tank. Attached is a picture of my model tank to date.

Log February 17, 2012

After recent failures on my model tank, I have begun work lining a new model tank. This tank has proved to be much more successful and much of that can be attributed to many things. With more experience, a more accurate representation of my tank, and new attitude, the liner has proven to be much easier to assemble the second time. Above is progress to date on the model.

Log March 16, 2012

This week, I have been completing construction on my boats. My original designs of boats were deemed too buoyant to be destroyed, and were sail boats, so they were not the type of boat that would typically need to be towed. Using very light balsa wood, I have begun construction of the hull on my new boat. A picture of the old boat can be seen above.

Update Poster III

Mentor Contacts

Face to Face contact with Christopher Barnes

During this contact, we have discussed the concept of maximization. Using a flat surface, you can construct an open topped box by cutting into the corners. The idea of an open topped box is perfect for my project because it gives me the opportunity to create one large sheet of liner and placing it directly into the tank, without wasting materials. An example of optimization to create an open topped box is depicted above

Mentor Contacts

E-mail to Joseph Walsh on Feb 11, 2012

Good Afternoon Joe,

 

Sorry I did not get back to you sooner, I typically don't check or reply to my emails during the weekend. I did however receive your email and found it to be very helpful. I recently have had some design changes that I have not specified on my blog, but I will shortly and get back to you with the new ideas. Thank you for your input!

 

Rob

Mentor Contacts

Received From Joseph Walsh on Feb 8, 2012

Robert,

 

Sorry about not getting back to you sooner.

 

Remember that 2” x 10” boards actually measure more like 1 ½” x 9 ½”.

 

For waterproofing the wood it probably is best to use two coats of a “Thompson Wood Sealer” and then two coats of Polyurethane allowing sufficient drying times between coats (see directions on the individual product cans for applying multiple coats).

 

I would suggest putting the pool liner in before installing the interior boards.  You can secure the interior boards on top of the pool liner.

It appears that you are securing the pool liner to the plywood using vinyl cement so the only real bunching of the vinyl may be in the corners.  You can stretch the vinyl in the corners by using a blow dryer and putting some type of pressure (weight) on the corner to keep it semi taut.  But, the vinyl probably will never fit totally flush in the corner (i.e. look at a vinyl liner in a square or rectangular pool).

 

Have a good day and good luck with the project.

 

Joe

Mentor Contacts

Received E-mail from Joseph Helblee on Feb 8, 2012

 

Thanks, Robert.  Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier.  I am out of town but will treat to send you comments within the next couple of days.  

Joe

(No follow up email was received from Mr. Helblee)

Mentor Contacts

Follow up Email to Joseph Helblee and Joseph Walsh on Feb 8, 2012

Dear Mentors,

I am writing you because I have sent you a formal letter with updates on my progress, but have not received a response. I do understand that you are both very busy men, which is why I have waited so long to send this e-mail. I would greatly appreciate a response to this as well as the letter I have previously sent. I have attached the letter again for ease of access. Thank you both.

-Robert Sharkey

Mentor Contacts

E-mail to Joseph Walsh, and Joseph Helblee on Jan 17, 2012

Attached is a formal letter to my mentors with progress updates and questions. If you could please read over this when you have time, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
-Robert Sharkey

Log February 15, 2012

This week I have been absent due to recent illness. However, the use of the contact cement has been successful under the following conditions:
1) Use of gloves (contact cement is highly sticky and is not safe to touch with bare skin)
2) outdoor use (there is a stench involved with the contact cement that makes the user light-headed if there is not proper ventilation)
3) Fan dry (the tank cannot dry outside but it needs to dry for approximately twenty four hours so it sits under a fan for proper ventilation)

Log February 10, 2012

After creating a model with the paper box top, I have begun work on another box tank to confirm that the new strategy would be water proof and effective. i have covered each corner separately, and covered the tank horizontally, and will begin covering the tank vertically on Monday when the shop is open. So far the contact cement is working well with the new strategy. I believe the previous difficulties were due to lack of experience with the adhesive. In the most recent model, with the most care involved in it, you can clearly see how much difference knowing the strength and consistency of the adhesive has made.

Log February 7, 2012

This week, I have been working on a model for the tank. After recent failures with contact cement and liner with the old idea for the tank, I have come to realize that the previous strategy would not be effective. Using the top of a paper box, and some large sheets of paper, I have been creating a model of the new strategy for lining the tank.

Log February 3, 2012

This week I have been completing construction on a model to demonstrate and practice key procedures in the construction of the tank. The primary reason for this model is to practice waterproofing on a small scale. This has proven to be a challenging task with much to be learned still. So far this has been a good week with much progress. The tank has been lined and glued with testing to be completed on Monday February 6.

Log January 3, 2012

This week, my group and I have been focusing on the slingshot aspect of out VEX robot. We have cut the PVC pipe for the apparatus, and experimented with the scissor mechanism on the rear end of the sling shot to cut the twine holding the elastic. While the scissors have shown little success so far, we continue to experiment with it. I also looked online at liquid rubber which I was hoping to use in the tank, and have explored new possibilities for lining the interior of the tank.

Log January 23, 2012

Today, we have begun calculations for buoyancy of our VEX robotics kit. Because it is very large and extensive (as can be seen below), the kit is very heavy ( slightly less than 7 lbs). To compensate for this weight, and make the VEX robotics kit float in the water, we will have to use a high density foam on the bottom of the VEX kit. It is essential that we are successful in floating the kit, or we risk sinking the logic system, along with many other key pieces that should not be exposed to water. The PIC microcontroller  alone is a $149.99 piece of equipment. 

Log January 17, 2012

Today, we have been frantically working to make sure our blog is up to par with the requirements needed for the presentations. This includes editing of drawings, including of poster, and many other things. 

Log January 20, 2012

We have been watching other groups' presentations, as well as presenting ourselves. Other then some minor word stumbles, I feel my presentation went very well, and my other group members did very well as well. Good job everyone!

Update Poster II

Log January 13, 2012

I was absent much of this week, however, for the time I was here, I was furiously working on the completion of my letter to my mentors to communicate with them my progress to date. In this letter, I have upgraded my drawings and listed items I would appreciate help with from my mentors.

Log January 3, 2012

So far this week, starting the new year, we have been hard at work, now that developmental work has been completed. We now face the challenge of final touches to our robot, adding propellers, finishing the slingshot, and finishing the arms that are to tow and sink the boats. I have successfully wired the remote and the microcontroller together so that the the robot can be controlled successfully, easily, and most importantly remotely.