Active Member Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2012

Lynbrook Robotics FIRST Team#846

Start Time: 7:00 PM This Agenda is closed to editing at 6:30pm.
Download the Encrypted Manual!

1. 1. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents?id=452
   2. svn checkout http://frc2012-gamedocs.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ frc2012-gamedocs-read-only
      SVN version maintained by D.Giandomenico (trial effort)
      

Officer Reports

Notes: DRI = Directly Responsible Individual

Old Business

1. Mr. Lowd and Ms. Eva interesting facts/story [DRI: Mr. Lowd] (7:06pm)
2. Sweaters [DRI: Alric] (7:13pm)
   1. Processing / Shipping
   2. still waiting, waiting on confirmation of order
   3. May get them left Next week.
3. T shirts [DRI: Alric] (7:14)
   1. Processing / Shipping. Distribute Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
   2. Received them on Friday Night
      1. Distributing them for the entire week (at the library)
         1. Wednesday; 3-14-2012 will be distributed in room 608 lunch meeting
4. Medals not distributed. [DRI: Alric] (7:13)
   1. 3 from last year (4 total)
   2. 1 went to Miles
   3. 1 went to other member
5. Newsletter [DRI Vincent] (7:15)
   1. have a rough draft
      1. need pictures from the hard drive
   2. need to review/edit the articles a little more
   3. may not be able to bring one to NYC?
6. Photo Journal [DRI: Eric] ()
   1. Discuss after meeting
   2. Plan for NYC
      1. print a PDF file at Kinkos or at Alric’s fathers house
         1. binding [Alric] – just use cover sheets?
            1. spiral bound?
      2. Bring Last year’s photo journal
      3. order one at competition to get one by SVR
      4. Add a team picture?
   3. main objective:
      1. something to let the judges look at
   4. captions  are important
   5. need to make sure everything is accurate
7. NYC Regional (7:29pm)
   1. go over logistics, double check everything is fine
   2. Rides [DRI: Annie]
      1. sent out a form for members to respond/sign up
      2. need to confirm
      3. Mr. G needs a pick up from his house (handled by Anurag)
   3. Name tags [DRI: Diane]
      1. DONE, improved with new design
      2. Annie has pins from previous competition
         1. need people with color printers to print out a couple of pages.
            1. Annie Yang, Jackie, Joahua, David, Lucy
   4. Flying
      1. no frequent flyer numbers
   5. Packing [DRI: Michael L]
      1. need more help
      2. software people please look over electronics list
   6. Prepare book & visuals for judges [DRI: Alric]
      1. are already in place
         1. adding new ones to the book
            1. new newsletter
            2. 1-2 page graphic description
               1. Raphael: Key Detection
               2. Miles: Broach press, off season work, friction test
               3. Anurag: Design of the Tail
               4. Vision System, ball trajectory (Michael C.), Talking points
               5. Diane: Pokemon Card
               6. Anurag, Miles, Eric: Shooter testing
      2. being worked on, need to get the items printed, etc.
   7. Build of Materials – BOM [DRI: Mr. G]
      1. really tight this year, added a lot of extra expenses
         1. vision ($318), wheels, gear boxes, pneumatics, 9 speed controllers, 2 spike relays, 4 pneumatic controls, etc.
      2. Result: $3416 ($84 under budget)
         1. $645 to control system
         2. $1300 Drive train
         3. vision $318
         4. etc.
   8. Scouting Sheet
      1. asked to make a list of important things to note.
         1. things that could be numerically calculated, compile list of what is most important, etc.
      2. sent out new list/thread
   9. Team Dinner
      1. Friday, February 26, 2012
      2. need to get reservation Today/Tomorrow
         1. found nothing special, expensive dinner, budgeted 75$ per person for this (2 meals)
            1. have a buffer which we could move over to food (# is being calculated to Aneesh, Annie, Alric)
            2. Thai, Italian, Pizza
      3. meet after this and will find more restaurants and choices
   10. Tour – Circle Tour [DRI: Aneesh]
   11. SVR
       1. registering for STIMS, want everyone to go on this. list of names sent
8. FLL Visit [DRI: Michael L] (8:35pm)
   1. No Go need to have a week notice
9. Camp Galileo Demo. [DRI: Michael L] (Tabled)
10. Flag [DRI: Matt] (8:37pm)
    1. things are ready, thank you to Mr. Harrison
    2. “looks really nice and very done overall!” ~ Brian Axelrod

New Business

1. Senior Cords (8:38pm)
   1. up to club discretion
      1. person must ask for a cord
      2. those who have been to a competition and attends lunch meetings
      3. 2-3 People in question
   2. Draft up a bylaw  for the team constitution.
      1. Plausible bylaw:
      2. pay membership dues and attend lunch meetings (0)
      3. Participating Active member should get it: have done more than and average member (fee and lunch), goes to outside school meetings/activities/classes; if majority of officers know the member. (10)
      4. Abstain (7)

End: 9:04

Active Member Meeting – March 6, 2012

Lynbrook Robotics FIRST Team#846

Start Time: 7:00 PM This Agenda is closed to editing at 6:30pm.
Download the Encrypted Manual!

1. 1. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents?id=452
   2. svn checkout http://frc2012-gamedocs.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ frc2012-gamedocs-read-only
      SVN version maintained by D.Giandomenico (trial effort)
      

Officer Reports

Notes: DRI = Directly Responsible Individual

Old Business

1. Mr. Lowd’s interesting talk! [DRI: Mr. Lowd] (7:00pm)
2. Sweaters [DRI: Alric] (7:02pm)4
   1. still processing at custom ink (1-2 weeks until we get them)
   2. Processing / Shipping
3. T shirts [DRI: Alric] (7:05pm)
   1. may come worse case this Saturday
   2. Processing / Shipping. Distribute Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.
4. Medals not distributed. [DRI: Alric] (7:06pm)
   1. need to give to: Grace Deng
5. Newsletter [DRI Vincent] (7:53)
   1. started to set up formatting on Publisher
   2. Want to hold meetings on Saturday and Sunday (March 10, 11)
      1. from 2-6 in the library
      2. information will be sent out
   3. Send out draft on Sunday Night.
6. Photo Journal [DRI: Eric] (7:08pm)
   1. review page of names again
   2. review possible pictures
   3. feed back:
      1. title alignment
      2. spelling of Staff names
      3. will have an email sent out, respond if something is wrong
7. NYC Regional (7:13pm)
   1. go over logistics, double check everything is fine
      1. will have rides ready – see Annie’s Email
      2. food: bring some snacks in your backpack, carry on bag, etc.
         1. bring some cash if you want to buy something to eat
      3. taking a bus at New York
         1. keep your luggage and bags with you AT ALL TIMES!
      4. Trip forms due Tomorrow, Wednesday (3-7-2012)
   2. Name tags [DRI: Diane Wang]
      1. currently with Alric?
         1. will look for them, contacting others.
      2. need help to format printing: Talk with Brian
   3. Packing next week (-dg) (DRI: Michael L)
   4. Prepare book & visuals for judges (-dg)
      1. start writing up your personal projects.
         1. Aesthetics (DRI: Diane)
         2. Bridge Test (DRI: Matt)
         3. Hex Broach, Prony Brake (DRI: Miles)
            1. process, CAD Drawings, Stress Analysis
         4. Ball trajectory tests (DRI: Robert)
         5. Key Tracker (DRIs: Tony, Raphael)
         6. Tail (DRI: Anurag)
            1. curve vs. line
            2. need more leverage, angle relative to the bridge, gain momentum as bridge goes down
            3. steel/materials: durable and slippery, (vs aluminum, more sticky), other objects to fragile
         7. Conveyor Belts (DRI: )
            1. relates back to our old robots
               1. learning from past experiences (2006)
            2. keeping belts on the conveyor
               1. tie wraps on a belt
         8. Vision test (DRI: Brian)
            1. pictures of differences between cameras and lighting
   5. Build of Materials – BOM [DRI: DG]
      1. going through everything we put on the robot
      2. add up all the costs of parts/ metals on the robot
      3. will need a sheet to present to the judges
      4. welcome to help Mr.G
8. FLL Visit (after March 18, 2012 [the FLL Championships]) [DRI: Michael L] (7:09pm)
   1. Invite to Silicon Valley: give them tour (DRI: Michael L)
9. Camp Galileo Demo. [DRI: Michael L] (7:56pm)
   1. Still pending
10. Current Projects  (7:56pm)
    1. robot work is going on
       1. test rig is done
11. Flag [DRI: Matt] (7:56pm)
    1. use a shower pole and add finials
    2. Stuff: http://tinyurl.com/7hml78g
    3. Diane will be working with Matt; send out information within 2 days and need to decide
       1. need cost and top personal choices

New Business

1. Robot in New Jersey! (8:05pm)
2. Scouting Sheets (8:05pm) (DRI: Michael L)
   1. rely on papers a lot
      1. ran out of papers
      2. need to have 1 page of everything
         1. names from highest recommendation and reason why they are on list
            1. best chars (defense, offense, bridge, etc.)
   2. list of who will alliance with others is a bonus
   3. Alex is willing to help
3. keep meeting in the room if you can!

Robot Improvement Meeting – Feb 25, 2012

Lynbrook Robotics FIRST Team#846

Start Time: 10:00 AM This Agenda is closed to editing at 9:30 AM.

1. Download the Manual!
   1. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents?id=452
   2. svn checkout http://frc2012-gamedocs.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ frc2012-gamedocs-read-only
      SVN version maintained by D.Giandomenico (trial effort)

Notes: DRI = Directly Responsible Individual

Business

1. Weight reductions (10:00am)
   1. motors + gearboxes (purchased)
   2. pneumatics (reduce brass, steel clevises etc) (DRI: Michael L)
      1. fit new plastic tank w/fitings
      2. need to abide by the given parts from FIRST
      3. may not be able to replace all of them with plastic fittings
         1. Weight Reduction ~0.2 lbs
      4. Can get this done before going to New York
         1. must assemble and pressure test
      5. Order the right parts
      6. Lighter plastic Tanks
         1. bigger, have two, only need one tank, may be able to run it off the compressor
         2. Weight reduction ~0.5 lbs
         3. Pressure Test, mounting area (zip ties instead of mounting brackets)
      7. Overall Weight Reduction for pneumatics: ~0.7 lbs
   3. lighter panels (DRI: Robert)
      1. Lighter material for parts which are not needed
      2. create a poly-carb “gusset” to replace the current poly-carb shelf.
         1. will require the use of rivets, thin poly-carb, etc.
      3. try to limit the amount of shaking; loss of comms may occur because of this.
      4. Additional Supports….
         1. supports from the ground
         2. will talk about this later
      5. Side plates of the conveyor (make extras just in case)
      6. Hopper – use less poly-carb, will have some rigidity, lightening holes, use bending techniques,
         1. worries: deformation, snagging hazard, etc.
         2. try and use 1/32 poly-carb
      7. adding cowlings
      8. Overall Weight Reduction for poly-carb: ~0.5 – 1 Lbs
2. Signage (11:22am) (DRI: Diane)
   1. need area for sponsors
      1. cowlings. deflection of the material from the heat bending is weird. take a look
3. Driver practice (11:23am) (DRI: Robert)
   1. repair gearbox
      1. roll pin and a bearing
         1. need to get materials.
      2. find out why it failed
   2. NASA Ames
      1. when we get something up and running we are invited to NASA
         1. drive, alignment, camera, autonomous, core parameters
      2. Date: Friday; March 2, 2012
         1. Test: Saturday; March 3, 2012
4. Gearbox shifter (11:33am) (DRI: Miles)
   1. Ideas to improve: reduce overall force, by reducing pressure, or smaller diameter actuators
      1. Actuator does not have full contact with the shifter shaft.
      2. no easy solution.
      3. put a bungee cord.
      4. cushions, washers, thrust washers
   2. Protect bearings by limiters
      1. may not be effective
   3. redesign shift block / bearing assembly (e.g. cam follower in slot)
   4. add gear-speed matching software for faster shifting
   5. Will have spares during competition
5. Shooter
   1. surface modifications
6. Collector
   1. needed?
7. Hopper objectives (10:51am) (DRI: Mr. Xie)
   1. Primary Objective (in order of priority)
      1. human loading
   2. human loadable – low 32″ front entry
   3. robot loadable – higher backboard; large opening
      1. Ideas
         1. tilt the hopper and have a flange (~3 in). could put sponsors on it. looks weird
            1. need to have a test.
               1. take ball vertically and drop on ramp
         2. Add a bungee cord for. Aluminum vs. Bungee. Weight vs. Structure
         3. have a 2nd opening for the hopper. Do not hit the bridge.
   4. Diane – Art, sponsors
   5. Mr. Xie, Alric – Design work
8. Bridge depressor: perfect – no changes needed!
9. Robot shipping schedule – still unknown (DRI: Abhishek Johri)

End:

Member: Eva, Mishan, Brent, Raphael, Rishabh, Akshat, Anurag, Aurea, Abhiram, MAtt, Nikunj, Reo, Tony, Jackie, Angela, Daniel

Officers: Alric, Annie, Michael L, Eric, Vincent, Lucy, Miles, Jocelyn, Aneesh, Robert, Brian, Diane

Mentor: Mr. G, Mr. Lowd, Mr Harrison, Mr. Lomazov, Fernando

Member Meeting – Feb 14, 2012

Lynbrook Robotics FIRST Team#846

Start Time: 7:00 PM This Agenda is closed to editing at 6:30pm.

1. Download the Encrypted Manual!
   1. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/competition-manual-and-related-documents?id=452
   2. svn checkout http://frc2012-gamedocs.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ frc2012-gamedocs-read-only
      SVN version maintained by D.Giandomenico (trial effort)
      

Officer Reports

Notes: DRI = Directly Responsible Individual

Old Business

1. Mr. Lowd’s talk (7:03pm)
2. Sweaters [DRI: Alric] (7:05pm)
   1. Arriving on Friday!
3. T shirts [DRI: Alric] (7:05pm)
   1. Spreadsheet will be sent out
      1. Need students and mentor sizes
      2. Need to be in by this week
         1. getting money from the room, need to get someone to do this
      3. changes: sponsors, year
   2. cost = $25
4. Flag [DRI: Eva] (7:07pm)
   1. ordered coming in sometime next week
5. Newsletter [DRI Vincent] (7:07pm)
   1. need to get members to write about their experience (2)
   2. deadline to finish:
6. Awards (7:08pm)
   1. Entrepreneurship [DRI: Diane]
      1. is not a submission
      2. bring to the event, have pit interview
      3. have a formal submission
      4. revising the submission
      5. will present to team next week
   2. Woodie Flowers [DRI: Annie]
      1. done, checking is going to be done by a literature teacher
         1. changes will be made and word count will be taken in for consideration
      2. which regional are we going to submit
         1. submit to SVR
      3. Need information from a FIRST affliate
         1. name and email
         2. will be taken care of
   3. Website [DRI: Michael L]
      1. Changes [DRI: Vincent Yao]
         1. need a page on scrips
         2. need to take off outdated information
         3. media links are not placed yet
         4. no pictures in 2012, get some in there
      2. need to submit the award – taken care of by Vincent Yao
   4. Chairman’s [DRI: Jocelyn]
      1. shared by Alric
         1. on a google document
         2. Comments:
            1. missing calgames (add)
            2. fact- news letter = 4 pages
            3. instead of referring to the team (make it we; our team),
            4. they know what build season is, expand on why having a room is important (allow more students to actively participate)
            5. WRRF – emphasize it more (where, what, when [travel hour and half -> Vallejo]),
            6. specifics are valuable
            7. raised ~$45,000 for teams in our district area (one school were able to start a team with that money)
            8. do not convince sponsors
            9. kick off
               1. what is significant about Fremont (invite Fremont and Prospect), helped get Prospect get started
            10. what are we doing to get more people involved in engineering
            11. FIRST Lego League
                1. president founded X-bots
                   1. helped out at least 3-4 teams
                2. Lego Bionic Fusion, X-Bots
                   1. 4 members working with 2 different teams
                3. meetings with parents to introduce the program
                4. both teams ranked high/are champs
            12. Held a library summer camp
                1. 3 members
            13. Botball
            14. Night in the Quad
                1. not priority
            15. invite other members from other teams who were unable to continue with their own teams
                1. 2 members (Mishan, Annie)
            16. fleet week
                1. vex robot with the NASA team to children attending the 2 day event in San Francisco
            17. Future Star Program
                1. taught low income students how to make a robot
            18. Classes
                1. AutoCAD ~ 50 members attended
                   1. six, 4 hour sessions
                2. Software
                   1. student created CD bot to teach members
            19. Miller Robotics club run by Co-President Alric Siu
                1. display of the old robot
            20. Demonstrations to schools and companies
                1. promote robotics
                2. with these workshops Cupertino’s teams were founded
         3. Flowed well, well written, remember what the Chairman’s award is all about (encouraging Science, Business, Technology Math, Engineering within our school district)
         4. Need to Finish and submit by Wednesday February 15,2012
      2. Video [DRI: Michelle, Christina] <– cannot attend meeting today
         Basic filming is done; scheduled interviews are done; This week we will continue to compile the video base.
         1. working on it, have most of the interviews they need, more film needed on the room, etc.
      3. Due Date: Bring things to the competition
   5. Blurbs [DRI: Eva]
      1. some to be reviewed/changed
         1. will be finished
      2. Due: Thursday Morning at 9AM
7. Photo Journal [DRI: Eric] (7:16pm)
   1. information will be sent out through email for others to review what we have so far
      1. pictures, names
   2. will have a separate meeting for photo journal
   3. will have a draft by next week
   4. needs to get ordered by the end of February; order on February 25, 2012; arrive on March 10, 2012
      1. help: Reo, Aneesh, Michael L, Matt,
8. NYC Regional Details (7:50)
   1. school information (submitted by Mr. G)
      1. names of members, Room Assignments, etc.
      2. need permission forms (medical, etc.)
         1. put a page on the website that allow students to complete and print out: Robert will head
   2. Parent Night
      1. Date: 2 weeks before the actual trip (February 28, 2012 room 608 at 7:00pm)
      2. headed by Co-presidents
   3. Itinerary
      1. headed by Co-presidents
9. A FLL (Lego Bionic Fusion) team visit [DRI: Michael Lin] (7:56)

1. 1. have not gotten a response back yet, still trying to plan meeting on a weekday

New Business

1. CalGames bid [DRI: ???] (756)
   1. hosting CalGames
      1. Believe that we should do it
         1. paid off a lot, spread awareness to the school
         2. willing to put the time in
         3. will have hosting duties
            1. need parent help
      2. tasks
         1. need parent help
         2. concessions
         3. signs
         4. maps
         5. Anurag, Rishabh, Nikunj, Reo
         6. For: 23 Against: 0 Abstain: 1
2. Requested to go to NASA [DRI: Brian]
   1. get there first thing in the morning
   2. Transportation will be taken care of
   3. only allowed to get 4 students and 2 mentors
      1. 2 mentors:
      2. Members:
         1. Hardware
            1. Akshat, Anurag,
         2. Software
            1. Robert may not be able to go the entire time
            2. students may not drive onto the base
   4. No Mechanical work at all

End: 8:07pm