Week 1 launched the 2026 Rebuilt Season with an exciting Kickoff weekend, where we watched game reveal videos, broke down match strategy, and started deciding what our robot needs to do to be competitive. We brainstormed ideas for the intake, hopper, feeder, launcher, climber, and drivetrain while researching designs used by top teams in past games. Prototyping started right away, with multiple wooden intake and feeder prototypes built to test roller geometry, and early CAD work beginning on the turret launcher, climber, elevator, and active-floor hopper. We also updated all of our code, assigned CAN IDs, and finalized drivetrain dimensions to keep the robot low enough for field obstacles. By the end of the week, we had CNC-machined our first major part—a large aluminum turret gear—and locked in key design goals focused on fast ball collection, high launch flow, and a reliable Level 1 climb. 

Week 2 was a heavy prototyping week focused on building and testing early robot systems. We built and tested Intake Prototype #3 and continued rapid prototyping across the launcher, hopper, climber, and elevator. Version 1 of the launcher prototype was built out of wood, while CAD progressed on the climber, elevator, and electrical panel. Manufacturing ramped up with CNC machining of aluminum launcher hood parts and fabrication of spindexer shafts and rolloff components. Code work focused on establishing subsystems and setting up vision, including camera configuration and calibration. Key design updates this week included switching the hopper to a spindexer system, moving to a single-turret launcher design due to space constraints, and beginning exploration of a potential Level 3 climber. Beyond the robot, 7th grade students helped by building field elements and designing season buttons, and the team collaborated with FRC Team 319 to build most of the practice field at the Lakes Region Robotics Center. 

Week 4 focused on system integration and testing as multiple subsystems came together. We successfully tested the spindexer, intake, and launcher, finalized Version 5 of the intake pivot system, and continued refining intake roller spacing while adding an additional roller to prevent jamming. Manufacturing progressed with cut and milled hopper and turret supports, completion of the main electrical panels, and wiring of the drivetrain. We assembled the competition drivetrain, transferred electronics and swerve modules from the code bot, and completed assembly of the launcher with powder-coated plates and the feeder. On the software side, began implementing subsystems into code, created and tested smart dashboard buttons, and developed basic commands. We also discussed spindexer gear ratio changes for variable speed control, riveted the field tower together, and submitted the Impact Award.

COME BACK SOON.....

COME BACK SOON.....

COME BACK SOON...