FIRST STEAMWORKS
FIRST Robotics Competition
FIRST Robotics Competition runs annual high school robotics competitions, with the goal of inspiring students to pursue STEM. Around forty fields are built, shipped domestically and internationally, and assembled and disassembled by volunteers for over 150 events throughout the season. As one of two mechanical engineers in a multidisplinary team, I designed various elements of the 2017 field including the central part of the “airship”, the external frame of the boiler, the ball hoppers, and an automatic ball return. I was also responsible for the visual design of the field, in collaboration with Disney Imagineers, creating everything from concept art through to final renderings.
Airship
I helped with the initial concept art for the visual design of the airship and created all the final artwork. The artwork was created in Photoshop and printed on vinyl.
Boiler, Steamtank & Da Vinci Rotor
For all the parts I designed, I started by creating concept art and rough sketches, then went on to rough prototypes to CAD models before creating the final designs. The Da Vinci Rotor spins from a motorized chain and sprocket system inside the steamtank.
Ball Return
The ball return uses a motorized belt system to lift the balls high enough to be deposited into a storage container.
Hopper
At the beginning of the match, balls are stored in the hoppers. When a robot runs into the push-bar, the balls spill out of the hopper.
