 | | Re: Robothon 2004
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(...) Wait no more! Well, except for the downloads! :-) (URL) has a discription of the Robothon 2004 Crate Contraption setup and links to various video clips. I put up a bunch of different overviews, but essentially they all show the same thing, (...) (20 years ago, 16-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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David, Thanks for the input. I think the goal for the Great Ball Contraption will be different from your Crate Contraption for a couple reasons. For example, I don't expect this to run constantly. I'm hoping we'll be able to make it work for (...) (20 years ago, 15-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Robothon 2004
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(...) Me too! ;-) (...) Actually we used one of the 3x7 melamine boards from Home Depot. These are easier to transport in a car, they have a pretty good surface for line tracking, and they are quite inexpensive. Using only one, however, was very (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Size
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(...) Usually we aim for around 30 balls per crate. That gives enough leeway that if a robot is out of commission for a few minutes (changing batteries, say) that a 'filling' robot still can run without being stopped. More than around 60 balls and (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) I've been quite busy recently, and so haven't had a chance to participate in this discussion until now. Pardon the long post, but it'll answer many of the questions and give details about SMART's own quest for a module standard. As Mark said, (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Robothon 2004
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(...) ... (...) I'm looking forward to the video. From what I can see, the whole layout is on a white 4x8 board, right? Two stationary "Ball Lifting" robots, and two moble "transport" robots. One question. Does this robot: (URL) the "dump truck" by (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Size
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Here's a couple more questions for the SMART guys. First, how many balls are "normally" loaded into a crate? I'm guessing between 20 and 30. How would things be effected if the crates were a little shorter? It appears the crates could be one or two (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Robothon 2004
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In the "Better late than never" department, here are pictures from the second day of SMART's mini-crate contraption at Robothon 2004. (URL) display was VERY popular! We had several thousand people come by to take a look at our display during the two (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) Which brings up a point about the standard. For a "simple" input, my methods (flip-up-able feeder ramp to temporarily hold incoming balls, or gravity-fed empty crates into newly vacated input zone) need very little height beyond the standard (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) I'm sure many AFoLs will feed on each other's ideas. My thought was to make a "holding" bin/crate with a trap door at the bottom, that is opened when a removable crate is put underneath it, or, something else that's only "active" when the (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) As long as the "Type 1" standard doesn't tightly constrain future expansion, I think both are achievable. (...) It seems a good one, but certainly not the only one. For instance, have a empty crates not filled directly, but instead via a (...) (20 years ago, 13-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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Steve clearly wants to keep this simple for the first go-around. But others, including myself, dream of more flexibility. I like Larry's idea of referring to versions. So rather than having to reject some features as too difficult, we can ear mark (...) (20 years ago, 12-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) I had in mind something a bit like the moonbase concept except where they have level passage-ways between modules, a GBC module would have either one or two two ins which include a slight down slope to encourgage balls to enter and either one (...) (20 years ago, 11-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) Yes, I think more people will participate in a "ball contraption" than a "crate contraption". It's my intent to create a ball contraption standard. People can use crates to move balls within there own module, if they choose. When balls are (...) (20 years ago, 11-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) I guess I am confused then. A crate is a thing that balls go in. A crate contraption would need to be able to handle crates, yes? Else it would be a ball contraption? The thing is, I think the problems of actaully building a mechanism which (...) (20 years ago, 8-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) This is really along the same lines as what I was thinking, except, I'd start with two ports (1 in, 1 out) on opposite sides of the module. Each module would have 1 input "crate" in a specified location, and would be responsable for moving (...) (20 years ago, 8-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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I have been pondering on the subject of a modular "thing" for next year's BrickFest Mindstorms room. I have been working on an idea similar to the moonbase idea where a module can have four ports. West and North are ins, East and South are outs. My (...) (20 years ago, 8-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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Are the SMARTies going to be showing anything off at NWBrickCon? (...) Alternatively, if you restrict the depth of a module somewhat, you COULD devise a standard way for a sorter to branch, and a combiner to merge (sorter has two outputs that are (...) (20 years ago, 7-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) I suspect it will be somewhere between very difficult and impossible to define and interface that is truly flexable enough to do everything you (we) will be interested in doing. However, the goal is to define an interface, so anyone can build (...) (20 years ago, 7-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Crate Contraption Standard
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(...) Steve - We've discussed this a few times too. What keeps blocking us is trying to define an interface that is flexible enough. Here are some of the issues we saw: Different interface types: Balls Crates (e.g., drop & pick up) Lines (e.g., (...) (20 years ago, 7-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Crate Contraption Standard
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Hey, SMART guys... I must say I really love your Crate Contraption. In fact, I like it so much, I'd like to steal the idea. Sort of. Let me explain... After Brickfest, I've spoken with a couple people about creating something for the Mindstorms room (...) (20 years ago, 7-Oct-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: Robothon 2004 this weekend
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(...) Today we had our first day at Robothon. Tons of robots of all shapes and sizes! SMART's display was always busy with people watching the fascinating and dynamic dance of a new mini crate contraption. At least four SMART members brought other (...) (20 years ago, 26-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Robothon 2004 this weekend
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Hopefully no one is expecting a SMART meeting this Saturday! I hope everyone kept informed by reading the newsgroup and know that it was last Saturday instead. The reason for the earlier time was that this weekend is Robothon, the annual Seattle (...) (20 years ago, 24-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: RIS 2.0 $109.99 at Fry's - ONE ONLY
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(...) It is gone. Went to Fry's and checked. Someone already bought it. Was it one of you SMART members out there? Hope it was. (20 years ago, 22-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: September 18th 2004 SMART Meeting Notes
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Oh, for the BrickHeap Wars competition, I also provided a small snippet of line-tracking code that teams could use if they wanted. The code isn't guaranteed to work, and depends on the geometry of your robot, but it's a good starting point if you're (...) (20 years ago, 21-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | September 18th 2004 SMART Meeting Notes
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Our annual BrickHeap Wars competition this year was not as strongly attended as previous years, but the people who did attend had a ton of fun. The challenge given at the start of the meeting was to build a robot that would track a line and be able (...) (20 years ago, 21-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: September 18th 2004 SMART Meeting
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(...) So far I've received notes from two people that they'll be bringing laptops. Is there anyone else? Ideally we need four. Also, a small change of location: we will be meeting in the Galileo room instead of the cafeteria. It's a much nicer and (...) (20 years ago, 15-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | RIS 2.0 $109.99 at Fry's - ONE ONLY
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There is a RIS 2.0 for $109.99 at Fry's. There is ONE ONLY. It is mis-marked. They honor mis-marked prices. Always pick through the pile when shopping at Fry's. They often mis-mark prices. Hmmmm......maybe it's intentional. (20 years ago, 15-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: September 18th 2004 SMART Meeting
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It's only a few days until the next SMART meeting. We are planning on doing a BrickHeap Wars, but I still haven't had a single response from anyone indicating that they'd bring their laptop. The game won't work without enough computers. If you are (...) (20 years ago, 14-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: September 18th 2004 SMART Meeting
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(...) There's a bit under two weeks until the next SMART meeting. The meeting will be a BrickHeap Wars, where people get into teams to build robots to accomplish a challenge given at the start of the meeting using a heap of bricks that has been (...) (20 years ago, 8-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: What is the mini challenge for Sept. 18 meeting?
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(...) Nick: If you would like to build some robots before the SMART meeting, I recommend coming up with something that would make a good display robot. Something you can show at Robothon or NWBrickCon. Additionally, there will eventually be another (...) (20 years ago, 1-Sep-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | September 18th 2004 SMART Meeting
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In order to allow people to participate in (or at least attend) Robothon, the next SMART meeting will be on September 18th. This month instead of a mini-challenge, we'll have a BrickHeap Wars. This is a time-restricted team robot building exercise. (...) (20 years ago, 31-Aug-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | What is the mini challenge for Sept. 18 meeting?
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Hi David What is the mini challenge for the Sept. 18 meeting? Looking forward to building/programming the next mini challenge. Also looking forward to the next meeting. Thanks Nick (20 years ago, 30-Aug-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | NWBrickCon™ 2004 Costume Ball
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(URL) Ladies and Gentlemen of LUGNET, Whether you are attending NWBrickcon™ 2004 or not, you are cordially invited to the sig-fig costume ball! The event will be held in the grand mini-fig ballroom at NWBrickcon™. Bring or send your mini-fig avatar (...) (20 years ago, 25-Aug-04, to lugnet.events, lugnet.events.nwbrickcon, lugnet.announce, lugnet.org.us.sealug, lugnet.org.us.smart, lugnet.trains, lugnet.org.scibrick, lugnet.castle, FTX) !!
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| | NWBrickCon™ 2004 Haunted Mansion Module Contest!
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NWBrickCon™ 2004 CONTEST!! In support of this year's NWBrickCon™ ocurring on Halloween, we are going to have a contest. Using the techniqes of Moonbase and Castle, we are going to build a modular Haunted Mansion. Each module will represent one room (...) (20 years ago, 24-Aug-04, to lugnet.events.nwbrickcon, lugnet.announce, lugnet.org.us.sealug, lugnet.org.us.smart, lugnet.trains, lugnet.org.scibrick, lugnet.castle, FTX) !!
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| | Calling All Presenters - Help Make NWBrickCon™ 2004 Great!!
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Call for Presentations at NWBrickCon™ 2004 Some of the many activities at NWBrickCon™ 2004 will be opportunities to share your knowledge and experiences, and to learn from each other. So, we would like to open an invitation to all individuals, (...) (20 years ago, 17-Aug-04, to lugnet.announce, lugnet.events.nwbrickcon, lugnet.org.us.sealug, lugnet.org.us.smart, lugnet.trains, lugnet.org.scibrick, lugnet.castle, lugnet.loc.us.wa, lugnet.loc.us.id, lugnet.loc.us.or, lugnet.loc.ca.bc, FTX) !!
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| | The Vancouver LEGO club at Science World in Vancouver, BC
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Hello Fellow brick fetishists! There is a very good chance that the Vancouver Lego Club will be exhibiting its talents at Science World ( (URL) ) in the spring of 2005. We are very keen on involving some of the surrounding area groups, if they would (...) (20 years ago, 4-Aug-04, to lugnet.org.us.sealug, lugnet.org.us.smart, lugnet.org.scibrick, lugnet.loc.us.wa, lugnet.loc.us.or, lugnet.loc.ca.bc, lugnet.org.ca.nalug, lugnet.org.ca.viclug, lugnet.loc.ca.bc.vic)
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| | NWBrickCon Is Coming Soon
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It is my pleasure to announce NWBrickCon 2004. This fan-based event will be held Halloween weekend (October 29-31, 2004) in the Great Northwest (Seattle area). This amazing event will be three days of : Fellowship - Meet with other AFOLs from (...) (20 years ago, 3-Aug-04, to lugnet.announce, lugnet.events.nwbrickcon, lugnet.org.us.sealug, lugnet.org.us.smart, lugnet.trains, lugnet.org.scibrick, lugnet.castle, lugnet.loc.us.wa, lugnet.loc.us.id, lugnet.loc.us.or, lugnet.loc.ca.bc, FTX) !!
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| | Re: July 31st 2004 SMART Meeting
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(...) Hi everyone! I've been out of town myself, so I know a lot of people are traveling. I hope that I'll still see most of you at the meeting this Saturday, though. Afterwards we'll head over to Red Robin for dinner for whoever would like to come. (...) (20 years ago, 29-Jul-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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| | Re: July 31st 2004 SMART Meeting
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(...) David asked me to post a message reminding folks about the meeting next Saturday. The meeting should start at the normal time of 2:00. I'm not sure about the classes, but I think the plan was to do the classes at every meeting for a while, so (...) (20 years ago, 23-Jul-04, to lugnet.org.us.smart)
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