Welcome to the real world of robotics competition. This year Fowler will be entering a team into the Alberta Skills Competition on May 11-12 in Edmonton.
Initially, I was only going to open the team spaces up to the Intermediate/Advanced group of students but after reading the challenge, I think that we would use some Introductory input as well.
The team itself has four members who can compete, but I am willing to take on some additional group members who would be non-competition team members.
This year's Skills Robotics Challenge can be found here.
Over the next week (November 15th-19th) I will be accepting application to be a part of our Skills team. To apply write a letter explaining why you should be a part of the team.
We will be looking for the following competition roles:
- Mechatronics Manager
- Drive Train Manager
- Wireless Control Systems Manager
- Fabrication Manager
Additionally in your letter specify whether you would be interested in a non-competition role helping the team out with fabrication and testing from now until May.
Applying for this team is a commitment to be working on this project after school for 1-2 days per week for the rest of the school year and/or to put in a large amount of work time over exam break.
Applications can be emailed to MDWAY@CBE.AB.CA.
Position Roles and Responsibilities:
Position Roles and Responsibilities:
- Mechatronics Manager
- This year's challenge will require a manipulation device like a mechanical arm. The Mechatronics Manager will be responsible for the design, fabrication and troubleshooting of this arm.
- Key skills include:
- Research skills in looking for parts to use as a template for manipulator arm.
- Ability to design and construct prototypes in AutoCAD.
- Ability to troubleshoot project on the fly at competition.
- Drive Train Manager
- The Drive Train Manager will be responsible for setting up and wiring the motors and wires that run the base of the robot. They will also be responsible for creating the electrical schematic of the whole robot.
- Key skills include:
- Understanding of electricity and how it functions.
- Ability to experiment with parts to test performance and utilization.
- Ability to learn Fritzing(you will be trained)
- Ability to work with Fabrication Manager to build/modify parts.
- Wireless Control Systems Manager
- The Wireless Control System Manager will be responsible for setting up and coding the electronic control system and wireless communication system for the robot.
- Key skills include:
- In-depth understanding of programming (Arduino)
- Ability to learn new skills and to research solutions to problems.
- Patience and perseverance with very technical problems.
- Ability to work with all other positions to create electronic control.
- Fabrication Manager
- The Fabrication Manager will be responsible for arranging and/or doing the fabrication of parts for the robot.
- Key skills include:
- On-the-fly learning abilities to obtain new fabrication skills as needed.
- Metalworking skills including welding and grinding.
- Woodworking skills an asset but not required.
- Comfort with workplace safety practices and ability to advise others on these skills.
- Ability to operate and maintain 3D printer(training provided)
