Season 5.0
Sponsors Design Schedule Team

Control Design

Using the IFI controller and 12V Dewalt Driver motors (310 in-lbs of Torque) we were able to get the Gau zooming across the steel floor. The footage below demonstrates General Gau's ability to overcome added friction due to the magnet wheels. It's motion is abrupt, but not easily controlled.

Place your mouse over the video to START

This video requires Windows Media Player. If the clip does not load, click here to download WMP.

 Click above to learn how the adaptive controller is being implemented

To correct for this difficulty in motion, we are currently developing an ADAPTIVE CONTROLLER to determine the effect of the magnets and correct for it.

Design

Gau Solidmodel

This is the fourth iteration of our intended design for the Gau.  Of course this doesn't include the Lexan armor we are adding.  The armor will consist of a Lexan dome and a Lexan skirt to cushion the robot from all possible angles.

Revision 7.0

 

     

 

Revision 6.0

 

 

        

 

Drive System

We compared the Gau's existing two-wheel design to other options with more wheels or ball bearings. The four-wheeled Tank Steering design was the clear winner, increasing the Gau's robustness, maneuverability, and maximum magnetic strength. Connecting the wheels with tank treads, however, was the clear loser, and past Battlebot competitions have shown tank treads to be easily destroyed.

Criteria Importance Rear Ball Front Wheel Metal Ball Bearing Two Wheel Tank Steering Two Ball Bearings Car Buggy Tank
Robustness 2 0 0 0 0 ++ 0 + (+) -
Weight 2 0 - 0 0 -- 0 -- - -
Ease of manufacture 3 0 - 0 0 0 0 - - -
Power needed 1 0 (-) 0 0 (-) 0 - - -
Maneuverability 3 0 + 0 0 + 0 + + +
Turning radius 3 0 - 0 0 0 0 - - 0
Magnetic strength 2 + + + 0 ++ + ++ + -
Scores 2 -3.5 2 0 6.5 2 -2 -3 -7


Weight Budget

Robots in the lightweight class must be 60 pounds or less. Our addition of two more magnetic wheels this season should be offset by less battery weight and the removal of the earlier spinning weapon. Below are the weight estimates of the components of this year's model.

Item

 Estimated Weight Actual Weight
Magnetic wheels 20 lb (5 lb x 4) 20 lb
Plow 10 lb 14 lb
Motors 6 lb (3 lb x 2) 5.4 lb
Battlepack batteries 2.6 lb (1.3 lb x 2) 2.6 lb
Speed controller 0.5 lb (0.25 lb x 2) 0.5 lb
Pillow blocks 1 lb (0.25 lb x 4) 2 lb
Top and bottom frame 5 lb (together) 8 lb
Pulleys, bolts, wiring, misc. 3 lb (3 lb)
Controller and antenna 0.5 lb 0.5 lb
Armor To be determined 5 lb
Drive Shafts -- 0.88 lb
Total 48.6 lb  

This leaves 11.4 lb available for armor.



Schedule
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Weekend
Apr. 1 2 3
Team Meeting		 4 5
Deadline #1		 6-7
Apr. 8 9 10 11 12
Deadline #2		 13-14
Apr. 15 16 17
Team Meeting
Mini Test Run		 18 19
Deadline #3		 20-21
Apr. 22 23 24 25 26
Deadline #4		 27-28
Apr. 29 30
Tweak		 May 1
Tweak
Team Meeting		 2
Tweak		 3
Celebration!		 4-5
Practice Drive
May 6
Ship bot		 7 8 9 10 11-12

Controller schedule

Deadline #1
Have controller ordered; work on prototype;
work on program; order noodle wire.
Deadline #2
Have controller; program finished; program
working on prototype; cook noodles.
Deadline #3
Design wiring.
Deadline #4
Have wiring finished on Gau.

Design schedule

Deadline #1
Have motors selected and ordered; have drawing
done; batteries selected/ordered; select/order
pillowblocks; order magnets; armor
design done -- materials ordered.
Deadline #2
Make wheels.
Deadline #3
Wheels done; armor made; chassis done.

Treasury schedule

Deadline #1
Have money done.

Sponsors Design Schedule Team
Season 5.0 Season 4.0 Season 3.0 Home