Background
FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition. Each year, teams of high school students, coaches, and mentors work during a six-week period to build robots that weigh up to 125 pounds (57 kg) capable of competing in that year's unique game.
I was a member of my local community team the 2702 Rebels. Through this team, I found my passion for engineering and started building my experience in CAD work, rapid prototyping, mechanical design and manufacturing, teamwork, electromechanical systems, and pneumatic systems.
Mechanical Experience
- Developed a robust intake system designed to take immediate control of 13” balls, indexing them towards the left, and passing them into the robot's main body for handling (example from the 2020 year game).
- Modeled intake in dynamic robot SolidWorks assembly for physical evaluation and cohesiveness across other subteams.
- Experimented with SolidWorks topology optimization tools to inspire pocketing patterns optimizing weight/strength ratio.
- Used SolidWorks to create technical drawings for machinists to follow using GD&T standards
- Modeled hundreds of parts for the robot using parametric design, considering DFA and DFM for sheet metal, 3D printed, welded, CNC milled, and plasma cut parts.
- Integrated off-the-shelf parts into robotic systems by calculating torque requirements, gear ratios, and kinematic models to ensure proper part selection for mechanical systems.
Electrical Experience
- Designed layout for the robot's main electrical system consisting of motor controllers, radios, cameras, power distribution panel, DIOs, AIOs, motors, battery, and so much more.
- Sourced motors and sensors per application requirements and FIRST robotics-approved components
- Installed electrical system listed above which required custom wiring routes, soldering, and updating firmware.
- Designed layout for the robot's pneumatic system, sourced pneumatic cylinders per application and installed runs of pneumatic tubing.
Misc.
- Robot co-driver in six competitions including Ontario provincial championships (semi-finalist) and Eastern World Championship (semi-finalist).
- Presented at outreach events for sponsors and community events, demonstrating the robot to large crowds.
- Applied graphic design skills to create branding for the team, such as robot logos, social media posts, sponsor plaques, and more.
- Helped start FIRST Lego League sister team for elementary school students. I also mentored the team for three years as the lead student mentor.