Last week, the LigerBots had three meetings in a row cancelled due to snowstorms, but we took initiative and did everything we could to ensure the building process was not held back. During the snow days, LigerBots members worked at two of the coaches’ houses. At one, we worked on machinery, and at the other, on CAD. Despite lack of access to a full-fledged shop, we continued to machine and cut polycarbonate side panels and metal for the hoppers that will gather balls from the field. We tested the now fully operational intake. The electrical team also mounted electronics onto the polycarb. Meanwhile, the CADers finalized the design for the gear-placing mechanism.

The LigerBots got an extra boost from Ian Clark, a friend of a LigerBots mentor. Ian was kind enough to let the LigerBots use his garage shop to cut parts for the robot, help lathe gears and sprockets, and build angle brackets. Finally, on Monday, we were able to resume our meetings at Newton South. The builders had access to our own machines, and the Chairman’s Award group was able to continue practicing their oral presentation.

We’re excited to announce our 2017 sponsors. In preparation for our upcoming robotics competitions, we have begun preparing materials that display the logos of our Puma, Panther and Cheetah level sponsors for this year. They are: Google, Analog Devices, The Village Bank, PTC, Raytheon, Whole Foods Market, McVittie Tax Advisors, Shark Ninja, Dunkin’ Donuts, You-do-it Electronics Center, Bose, Honda Village, Tanowitz Law Office, Newton Public Schools, Newton Schools Foundation. We also are grateful for our anonymous and individual donors. Thank you to all for your support of the team.

We’re four weeks into build season, and we have made major progress on our robot. The chassis has been fully built, and the ball intake was successfully tested. The gear intake is also near completion, while the rope-climber and ball-shooter are well under construction. The second robot is nearly up to speed with the chassis, and the electrical team has built a test-bed for software before it is used on the robot. Our team has attended two outreach events in January. First, we had at the Just Think Expo, which gathers many non-profit organizations that support teens and families in Newton in making good decisions. Then, the LigerBots and other FIRST teams made an appearance at the Booz-Allen Ideas Festival. By showing what students are doing with STEM education and new technology, the FIRST teams set out to inspire employees of the large, Boston-based consulting firm to better help their clients. We also have a group of team members working on our Chairman’s award submission, and they have nearly finished writing the Chairman’s essay and making the video. We are very proud of our progress so far, and cannot wait to present the finished product!

2017 team tee shirt orders are being taken right now. This year’s shirt will have a steampunk riff on our usual liger logo. Team members are required to order one shirt and encouraged to order two. Please contact Diane Levy if you have not ordered yet.

For the second year in a row, the entire LigerBots team participated in a three-day design blitz right after the FRC robot game kickoff. We were excited to learn that the Steamworks game involves robots launching imaginary airships by delivering large, plastic gears to rotors and shooting balls, (representing fuel,) into large funnels leading to our team’s “boiler.” During our design blitz every LigerBot and mentor, including those who are not usually involved in engineering, helped design a 2017 robot. After three days of research, drawing, and discussion, the entire team got back together to watch design presentations from each group. Afterwards, student leaders from each area of engineering expertise met to discuss the pros and cons of each design. Once they chose the best features of each robot, they moved forward with the final design and the building process began.

The team divided into build groups that will each focus on a different feature of the robot, including a ball shooter, gear placer, a rope-climbing mechanism, a chassis, and software. This week, the build groups began designing and building prototypes for the ball shooter and gear placer, sketching out software solutions, and cutting metal for the chassis. The team has also been preparing for the construction of a second robot, which has the potential to test alternative designs. Next up: ordering the parts and beginning to manufacture the robot!

Meanwhile, our business group worked on preparing for several upcoming outreach events and our Chairman’s Award submission, including taking lots of video and interviewing team members and mentors. (The Chairman’s Award is FIRST’s most prestigious award given to teams that most successfully spread the mission of FIRST.) But it’s not all work and no play! We started our build season team dinners and movie nights, which are a great way for everyone to relax after an exciting day building our robot.

Watch the Kickoff for the 2017 Steamworks FRC game here: https://www.twitch.tv/firstinspires Kickoff begins Saturday, Jan 7, at 10:30 AM EST. To attend Kickoff in person, sign up for a carpool by noon on Friday. There will also be a viewing party at Noa Rensing’s house. Those unable to attend either event can stream it on Twitch using the link above.