Outreach

DHS T-shirt Launcher

The Deming High School team has designed and constructed a T-shirt launcher as a fundraising campaign to raise money for their robotics competitions.  

Here is a picture of the planning stages.  The bae is completed, and the spacing for the T-shirt launcher cannons is being worked out.  

8/1/2025

We worked on programming the t-shirt launcher today.  This was accomplished with the help of a student programmer.  Java programming the drivetrain, worked well.   We used Chat GPT to help us find the correct syntax until we could change the direction of the motors to match up with the X-box controller.  Drivetrain is moving according to the xbox controller arcade style driving. The pneumatic programming was already in place and works.  

8/8/25  We were able to put together the brackets that will hold the hex bar on the supports of the T-shirt launcher.  

8/11/25  We are working on creating the support structure that will go in between the cannons and will connect up and hold the cannon on the hex shaft. 

8/12/25 Installed all of the storage tanks onto the support structure again.  It now assembled holds the support structure VEX structure, with 2 Max Tube on each side, 3 Holes long.  There are 4 bearings to help hold the shaft in place.  We will need to add spacers to hold the hex bearings in place and shaft collars on the ends.  We will then place a gear on the shaft, add chain link and a motor with a sprocket and we will be able to control the up and down motion of the motors.  

8/13/25  We are continuing to work on the structure of the T-shirt launcher.  We are have the middle structure complete.  We are working on the side structure that will hold the T-shirt cannon assembly hexagon on the hex shaft. We managed to add the support structure that will run lengthwise on the robot.  

8/14/25 We are currently working on the side support structure.  We will be working to go upwards to create the support for the hex shaft to hold the tubing.  Side structures are now on the robot.  We began to measuer and cut the side supports for the T-shirt hex support.   

8/15/25  Cannons are hung on the hex bar.  It looks good so far except we forgot to put the hubs on the side of the cannons so they will rotate with the bar.  

8/18/25  CAD drawing is found below.  Isometric view.  Still some errors, but close to the design.  

Thundercats Robotics Team Showcases Robotic Arm at National Night Out
 

DEMING, NM – The Deming community gathered in full force on Tuesday evening for the annual National Night Out, an event focused on building connections between residents and local law enforcement. But this year’s celebration had a high-tech twist – courtesy of the Deming High School Robotics Team, the Team Thundercats.

Under the warm August sunset, the robotics team proudly unveiled and demonstrated their latest project: a fully functional robotic arm. Designed, built, and programmed by students, the arm wowed the crowd with its precision movements and interactive capabilities.

We wanted to show the community what’s possible when students have the opportunity to work with technology and engineering. The robotic arm is just one example of what we’ve been working on, and we hope it inspires younger students to get involved.

During the demonstration, residents of all ages were invited to take control of the arm, picking up small objects and placing them with impressive accuracy. For many in attendance, it was their first time interacting with robotics technology.

The Team Thundercats will soon gear up for their upcoming robotics competition season, but members say their mission extends beyond trophies. Events like this give us the chance to give back to the community that supports us.

As the evening wrapped up, the robotic arm demonstration left a lasting impression – proving that in Deming, innovation is alive, well, and ready to lend a helping hand.