Subteams

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The Mechanical team is the sub-team that deals with designing, assembling, machining, and building the frame and mechanisms of the robot. Our group of students finds the time to work hard while having fun. The mechanical sub-team embodies the values of FIRST by holding everyone in the build room to strict safety guidelines. They educate others on how the robot works and the ideas behind the mechanisms incorporated in the current robot design.  

The electrical sub-team is responsible for wiring the electrical components of the robot. This entails connecting motors and other actuators to the power distribution panels through controllers and creating a CAN bus System that distributes control signals between the roboRIO and all the other components. They are constantly innovating new ways to improve our organization and efficiently when wiring the robot. For example, during this current season, we instituted a hinged panel containing all of the electrical components for easy access, and snap connectors between connected wires so that they can be easily removed or changed.

The CAD subteam takes measurements of the robot and then uses them to create a realistic 3D model of the robot. They also learn useful CAD and modeling skills along the way that can be applied in the real world beyond robotics. The CAD subteam is vital to designing and engineering the processes and functions of the robot.  The CAD model also makes us eligible for several awards given to us by the judges at competitions.

The Programming sub-team teaches, develops, implements, and tests code for the competition robots. At the start of the season, the sub-team captains, one for the Java Language and another for the Labview language, show new members the basics of each language. The expectation is that all programmers will learn a little bit of both. Once the season starts, teammates will choose either Java or Labview and will work with both leaders and mentors to write code and test it on the robot. Together they solve problems for the build team and drive strategy and develop the logic behind how the robot will run.

The Strategy sub-team is a small sub-team that doesn't come into play until the start of competition season. Prior to the competition, they begin developing the tools they use to run their function.  During competitions, this sub-team is in charge of getting all the matches scored and the data analyzed. This is used to help the Drive Sub-team make important decisions from defensive strategies to floor layout plans. The sub-team only consists of two members, but everyone on the team helps out with data collection during all competitions for the year.

The Safety Sub-team promotes safety in everything they do. They keep track of all incidents in the work areas and competitions. They have a safety binder that contains health forms, incident reports, infraction/gold star sheets, as well as other items. They take care of and report injuries as soon as they arise and make sure that everyone involved in the incident is safe. They go around and make sure everyone is wearing proper safety equipment in the build areas and where the robot is turned on. They set an example for our team in gracious professionalism, dedication, leadership, and other qualities valued in FIRST. This sub-team is highly recognized in what we do in Michigan.