You might have already heard about the promotion our Solalto's Robotics team recently got as Robotics National Champions, this promotions opens us a new door, well, an international door. Vex Robotics International has accepted Centro Escolar Solalto to be participants in any Vex Robotics tournaments worldwide.

When I was first notified about this, I couldn't believe it. It was like a bad joke someone might pull you out, but it wasn't. When the team was informed, they also thought we were joking, but when we explained that this promotion was a result of their hard work, team collaboration, best design and engineering, and highest score, they were amazed. They couldn't help and started cheering, hugging each other, giving hi-5s, and other different but nice reactions.

Since then, the whole team has as their main objective the Vex Robotics All-Star Challenge which is an international tournament that will be held in Orlando, Florida, this november.

DAY ONE

Since there are new team members, it was needed to explain them the main objectives of the team, some of the Robotics most-used concepts, and the different parts that can be used to design and then build a robot. It was also shown the new challenge to be performed in tournaments. You can see it on this subtitled video.

There were so many good questions about the challenge and different ideas came up so quickly, having been in a previous competition helped so much due to the fact that we already knew what we could do. Day One was definitely a great decision-making on engineering design. The team was assigned to watch the video again and to come with a couple of ideas on the robot's design for next session.

This is an example of a robot's design and engineering. Due to the fact we are in competition, the original design is not shown here.

DAY TWO

Based on the decisions made the previous session, team decided to start working on the robot's motion subsystem using wheels, gears, drive shafts, shaft collars, clutches, and spacers. Then a couple of 3-wire servo motors are included, these are the ones that move the robot. This part is a trial-and-error exercise in which several possible motion subsystems might be tested until the team decides the perfect one regarding their final objective. This is also the first part of the main structure, chassis, that will support the rest of the parts.

DAY THREE and FOUR

It is time to finish the chassis with the aluminum rails, c-channels, and plates. These parts have a specific size but some of them have to be modified or ever cut in order to fit the design. One of the parts that takes most of the time is the arm that will hold a claw system. During these days, an arm system was built and tested, but it was decided that it was not suitable to the whole plan and objectives. A Plan B had to be designed for the arm.

DAY FIVE

Plan B for the arm system was reviewed and applied. It took some time building this up. During the tests, some recalculations were made and after the tests, the team concluded it was perfect.

DAY SIX

Students were surprised to see a second instructor with David, his instructor, and they were explained that the visitor, named Heiner, was coming from Costa Rica to check how the Robotics project is being managed here in Guatemala because they wanted to start the project back there in Costa Rica. Heiner knew he was with the National Champions due to a very short comment he made, that made the students felt really good. Regarding the robot, arm system was improved and the team started the construction of the claw system. The team also had the chance to see the cylinders and balls that will be used during the tournaments.

Well, this is what Solalto Team has been doing during sessions, still we have so many things to do, and the following two sessions will be of great importance because the robot will be finished and put into several performance tests.

Vex Robotics All-Star Challenge is about 12 weeks away so..., in the meantime, we'll participate in the National Robotics Tournament on September 3, 2011 that will be held at Universidad InterNaciones. The best part of this national tournament is that Centro Escolar Solalto won't be alone, its 5 sisters and brother will be there also participating in the different categories. So, you are more than welcome to attend and support the 7 schools during this great event in which the whole APDE community will pose their eyes.

"When you see the storm coming, if you seek safety in that firm refuge which is Mary, there will be 
no danger of your wavering or going down." - St. Josemaria Escriva