Electronics Subteam Advacements

From Team 449 Wiki

Throughout the years, the electronics subteam has standardized, changed, and improved its practices. The aim of this article is to document this evolution, explaining what was done in the past and what is done now.

Crimping

Prior to 2016, the primary method of crimping involved using translucent green plastic crimps. These were not ideal due to being liable to slip out and disconnect wires in the middle of a match. To prevent this, the team switched to Anderson Powerpole crimping, which is far more durable and therefore reliable.

Other advantages of Powerpole crimping is that color-coding is easier as there are black and red housings, there are not different male and female variants, and adjacent housings can be neatly slid and locked together.


Motor Controllers

Prior to 2017, the main motor controller used by the team was the Victor SP, which is wired by PWM. However, as of 2017 the Talon SRX, which is wired by CAN, is the primary motor controller we use.


Talon Standardization

We now adhere to these guidelines for wiring Talons:

1. Yellow wire is always on the left side when facing the holes

2. One male and one female for each wire

3. In the female housing (the longer one), the male is on the left/yellow wire


Robot in a Box

In 2017, Electronics created a mobile electronics board called Robot in a Box (heretofore referred to as RIAB). RIAB comprises an electronics board inside of a briefcase, with electrical components on the bottom and pneumatic components (e.g. PCM, solenoids, air tank, compressor) on the lid. RIAB's mobility and adaptability allows it to be used for small-case mechanism demonstrations, including at outreach events, without requiring a full robot or TestBed.

Hydraulic Crimper

In 2017, the team acquired the hydraulic crimper, which makes crimping battery wires easier. The prior method was to use the red ziptie-cutting wire crimper, but this tool is more efficient and requires less strength to perform the crimping effectively.

Pneumatics

Beginning in our 2018-2019 season, Electronics made the official switch to completing the robot's pneumatics system, a role formerly run by the mechanics subteam. The change was carried out with the rationale that the pneumatic system has much in common with the electrical system, and therefore the electronics sub team's skills and teaching time are better spent on it than those of the mechanics subteam.