Game Description:
The Rebound Rumble robotics game is played between two Alliances of three teams each. The Alliances compete in a game very similar to basketball, except there are four baskets instead of one. Also, in the middle of the field, the teams have to go over either a four inch tall bump or over what is more or less a teeter-totter. They have to gain as many points as possible in a two minute match.
This year’s field. (Text used with permission from FIRST.)
Official Game Rules
The Rebound RumbleSM robotics game is played between two Alliances of three teams each. Each Alliance competes by trying to score as many of the basketballs in the hoops as possible during the 2-minute and 15-second match. Balls scored in higher hoops score Alliances more points. Alliances are awarded bonus points if they are balanced on bridges at the end of the match. In matches where opponent Alliances work together to balance on the white bridge, all participating teams earn additional valuable seeding points.
For more info on Rebound Rumble, click here and for the Rebound RumbleSM Animation, click here.
Our Robot
Specifications:
- Height: 50.75 in; Width: 38 in; Length: 32 in
- Weight: 119.4 lbs
- Speed: 11 Ft/s
Drive Train:
- Gear ratio: 10.7:1
- Aluminum item chassis
- Mecanum drive using 4 CIM motors
Ball Acquisition:
- Ball acquisition from any angle on the bottom of the robot
- Steel cables act as a funnel to direct the balls to the acquisition system
- 2 Banebot motors power the ball pick up actuator with phalanges
- Phalanges are made from strong ¼ in pneumatic tubing
Ball Movement System:
- Conveyor belt system powered by 2 window motors
- Gear ratio: 64:1
- 4 polycords placed 6 in apart, squeezes the basketball to maximize traction
- Polycords are guided on custom-made timing pulleys
Turret:
- 1 window motor
- Gear ratio: 5:1
- 120 degree turning radius
- Custom-made steel plate slides on ¼ in steel bearings
- Turret controlled by a single high traction wheel on traction tape controlled by a window motor
- Camera positioning for accurate programming
Shooter:
- 2 Banebot motors
- Gear ratio: 5:1
- Shooting distance is controlled by changing the RPM
- Shooter locked at 50 degree angle to shoot accurately to the top hoop at a close distance
- Two wheel design for maximum power
- Wheels are doubled for maximum transfer of power, mounted vertically, two above and two below
- Wheels distance is 5.1 in to compress and control the ball
Competitions
2012 FIRST Championship
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, MO
When: April 27-30
Regional Website: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/first-championship
From April 27th to the 30th, C.O.R.E. was in the FIRST Championship! We did not make it out of our pools in Newton division, as we placed 25th. However, something much bigger happened. We won the Underwriters Laboratories International Safety Award! This means that we have the best safety program out of 400 teams! It was a fantastic experience for the entire team. One of the highlights of the event was when our robot scored 4 balls in autonomous! Overall, this was a fantastic experience for the team.
2012 Lake Superior Regional
Where: Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center (DECC), Duluth, MN
When: March 8 – March 10, 2012
Regional Website: http://www.mnfirstregional.org/
From March 8th through 10th, C.O.R.E. was in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center for the Lake Superior Regional. Ranked 37th out of 64 at the very end, we made it all the way to the semi-finals with Teens ‘Nto Technology 3840 and Inconceivable 2530, but were knocked out after a close match which was won by the 1st seeded alliance, consisting of MORE 1714, King TeC 2169, and Nordic Storm 3018. It was an honor to be able to go up against such a great alliance. Considering that our programming failed and we had to re-write it all on Thursday night before the qualification matches started on Friday morning, we did quite well. We won the Industrial Safety Award sponsored by Underwriters Laboratories in Duluth, our eighth time receiving the award.
2012 Wisconsin Regional
Where: US Cellular Arena
When: March 22 – March 24, 2012
Regional Website: http://uscellulararena.org/events/669-us-first-2012-wisconsin-regional-robotics-competition/
On March 22nd to 24th, 2012, our team went to the Wisconsin Regional. We were the recipients of multiple awards, the most prestigious being one of our mechanical subteam leaders, Annalyssa, becoming a Dean’s List finalist. This award is presented to two students who exemplify the ideals of FIRST, and there was no better person to represent our team and FIRST then Annalyssa. In addition to that, we also placed in the top 3 for Safety and 10 other awards. We also won the Gracious Professionalism award, which is awarded to the team who represents FIRST in the most positive light. In the actual competition itself, we were ranked 14th. We made it to the semifinals with our alliance that consisted of team 868 TechHOUNDS and team 2039 Rockford Robotics. In the semifinals, we lost in a terrific battle against team 48 Delphi E.L.I.T.E., team 2826 Wave Robotics, and team 269 CooneyTech. This alliance eventually went on to win the regional. The regional was not only fun, but a great learning experience for all of us, and we will use the knowledge we’ve gained to do even better at internationals!
