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KICKOFF
JANUARY 7, 2024 On January 7, 2024, Blue Thunder held their first meeting of the new year in the library of Maui High School. This marked the beginning of the 2024 FRC season, Crescendo. Within a ten week build season Team 2443 will design, construct, and program a robot along with documenting the whole process. This meeting set the plan for majority of the build season as the team established priorities, design ideas, and match strategies. Blue Thunder is feeling amplified to compete in this 2024 FRC Crescendo season! |
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WEEK ONE
JANUARY 8, 2024 - JANUARY 13, 2024 During week 1, the builders began work by having the design team set their main priorities by deciding whether they wanted to be focused on the trap or harmony for the game, and once they had their priorities in mind, they began conceptualizing various robot designs. Another section of the builders was constructing the source, amp, and speaker field elements. The builders also began prototyping for a flywheel shooter. While the builders were focused on their own tasks, programmers remeasured and re-taped the field in the library for preciseness while also downloading certain applications needed for their code. They looked back at last year’s scouting app code to analyze how they could improve it this year, worked with the limelight and AprilTags, and practiced their JavaScript skills. At the same time, documenters were working on updating the website, youtube, creating the recap intro, and editing the season start-up video. |
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WEEK TWO
JANUARY 15, 2024 - JANUARY 20, 2024 Week 2 consisted of designing, prototyping, coding, and graphic design. The builders were testing out the vertical shooter prototype to measure out the certain angles/distances needed to score a note into the speaker and amp. Additionally, they finished constructing the speaker and stage field elements. They also have been figuring out the math for the mechanisms on the robot such as the top-down shooter. On the other hand, programmers were working on coding the mechanisms of the robot such as the elevator and intake mechanism. They also have been working on the limelight of the robot to be able to read the april tag. Documenters designed the brochure and binder, updated the 2024 team page on the website, and captured interviews from different departments for the bi-weekly recap. |
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WEEK THREE
JANUARY 22, 2024 - JANUARY 27, 2024 During Week 3, the builders were testing out the vertical shooter prototype along with the programmers. The builders also implemented angled pieces into the speaker in order to create a stabilized platform, rethought the design of the robot, and finalized designs. Programmers added PID to the motors and elevator so that it can run into a certain position. Documenters filmed and edited interviews posted about the VEX IQ championships, and updated the website. |
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WEEK FOUR
JANUARY 29, 2024 - FEBRUARY 3, 2024 During Week 4, the builders have made progress with the design. They have been finalizing many designs such as the under the bumper design, the elevator for the shooter design, and the indexer design. Together, the builders and programmers have been testing out the vertical shooter prototype. Programmers have been working on how data would be transferred across the scouting app, debugging codes, and created a code for the shooter elevator subsystem sucessfully. Documenters have been updating on social media, took pictures of all of the departments, worked on the brochure design, and filmed interviews for the weekly recap. |
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WEEK FIVE
FEBRUARY 5, 2024 - FEBRUARY 10, 2024 During week 5, the design team finalized their designs and the builders started fabricating as well as routing pieces for the robot. The builders have also started machining, lathing, and making base pieces for the robot. Meanwhile, programmers are starting to code the scouting app, testing out the limelight, and adjusting the PID controller. The programmers have been creating a pivot subsystem for the shooter, came up with an encoder method for the hang, and tested the robot’s intake. Documenters have been coming up with different pin designs, taking pictures and videos of all the departments, and contacting different companies for silent auction donations for the 2024 Rummage Sale. |
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WEEK SIX
FEBRUARY 12, 2024 - FEBRUARY 17 2024 In week 6, the builders diligently worked on various components of the robot, including the elevator construction, adding necessary braces, and working on the climber pivot. They also handled electronics placement, protective cases, and machining parts. Additionally, they routed, filed, sanded, welded, and assembled various parts including the base, elevator, shooter, and indexer. Troubleshooting and adjustments were made along the way, ensuring progress across different fronts. The programmers focused on testing the magnet sensor code and aligning the robot using the limelight, tested the roboRIO 2.0, troubleshot swerve drive motor inconsistencies, discussed camera placement with the builders to aim for optimal positioning for tracking April Tags, and implemented new components in the scouting form, including a rating slider. They commanded elevator positions, tested intake consistency, replaced the roboRIO, fine-tuned autonomous movement commands, completed the drive align command, and progressed to strafe aligning. They also focused on app interface enhancements and data preparation. Additionally, they worked on preference bookmark functionality for data analysis and continued backend app development, while also experimenting with intake commands and swerve drive adjustments. The documenters have been contacting companies for donations for the upcoming rummage sale, working on creating and printing Sumo Dog fundraising tickets, as well as creating an Instagram post for the fundraiser. They designed brochures, finalized pin designs, and conducted interviews for the bi-weekly recap. |
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WEEK SEVEN
FEBRUARY 19, 2024 - FEBRUARY 24, 2024 During week 7, the builders finalized everything as they neared completion of the robot. They worked on assembling the shooter, indexer, elevator, and intake onto the robot while also starting to construct the robot’s bumpers and managing electronics. The programmers worked on programming autonomous path commands, limelight strafing alignment, and developing code for the shooter, indexer, and elevator. Additionally, the scouting team worked on merging the two aspects of their application and troubleshooting the app’s backend while practicing scouting by analyzing past data. Documenters finalized rummage sale ads and poster designs, made mobile site improvements, and edited & posted weeks 5 & 6 recap. |
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WEEK EIGHT
FEBRUARY 26, 2024 - MARCH 2, 2024 During Week 8, builders made bumpers for the robot with different colors, cutting up wood for crates, and constructed a cart for the robot to transport during the competition. They have also been creating a sparing and packing list for regionals and working on the elevator. Programmers worked on the scouting app, worked on the limelight, and PID testing. Documenters have been taking pictures for the silent auction product reveal, working on brochure designs, and updating social media. |
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WEEK NINE
MARCH 3, 2024 - MARCH 9, 2024 During Week 9, team 2443 began their preparations for Los Angeles Regional. Builders completed making the robot’s bumpers and crates as the Programmers began testing their pivot align command and started to conduct drive practices. Additionally, the scouting team published the scouting app and began preparing members to scout at the upcoming regional. Lastly, the Documenters printed brochures and finished making pins. We are beyond excited to compete in this upcoming regional. Thank you for your endless support! |
LOS ANGELES REGIONAL: PRACTICE MATCHES
MARCH 15, 2024 |
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The first day of the Los Angeles Regional has passed. Team 2443, Blue Thunder, worked on unpacking the robot and ensuring its functionality after reconstructing the machine. After the team assembled the robot, they participated in practice matches and showcased their robot. |
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LOS ANGELES REGIONAL: QUALIFICATION MATCHES
MARCH 16, 2024 The first day of qualification matches has passed at the Los Angeles Regional. Team 2443 finished the day with a record of 5-3 and secured the 17th spot out of 44 teams. Tomorrow, Blue Thunder hopes to improve its standings and go into the playoffs with a good alliance and the ability to win it all. Check in tomorrow to see how we are doing and where our journey goes! |
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LOS ANGELES REGIONAL: PLAYOFF MATCHES
MARCH 17, 2024 The Los Angeles Regional finished yesterday with a bang for Blue Thunder. Team 2443 entered alliance selections on a roll, winning two of their last three games, and ended the regional with a record of 6-4 and ranked 20th out of 44 teams. Blue Thunder was selected as a third pick for the 6th-seeded alliance by teams 1148 and 702 and made it to the lower bracket semifinals before going out in a close match to the 4th-seeded alliance. The team is proud of their performance and looks to shock the world at the Hawaii Regional. |
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HAWAII REGIONAL: PRACTICE MATCHES
APRIL 4, 2024 Team 2443 has touched down on Oahu and competed in practice matches for the Hawaii Regional. Blue Thunder has worked over the last two weeks for this massive tournament and hopes to blast through its competition en route to a gold medal. Tomorrow will be the first day of qualification matches, and team 2443 is eager to push their limits and play against the many great teams at the Hawaii Regional. |
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HAWAII REGIONAL: QUALIFICATION MATCHES
APRIL 5, 2024 The first day of qualifications has ended, and Blue Thunder is soaring high with a record of 7-1 and being fifth-ranked. The team has 20 ranking points headed into the second day. Team 2443 is excited to compete tomorrow and is ready to bolt elimination matches in the Hawaii Regional! |
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HAWAII REGIONAL: PLAYOFF MATCHES
APRIL 6, 2024 Blue Thunder has officially ended its journey at the 2024 Hawaii Regional. After two hard days of qualification matches, team 2443 was ranked third heading into playoffs and became the captain of the second-seeded alliance. Paired with teams 4270 and 9012, Blue Thunder ran into the finals before being eliminated by the first-seeded alliance. In addition to becoming event finalists, Team 2443 received the Team Spirit Award! Thank you to the Hawaii Regional for allowing Blue Thunder to compete, and team 2443 will be looking forward to the next season! |