FIRST Robotics 2020 - Laser Day

 At last the final version of the robot is ready to come out of the virtual world.  The design has been slimmed down, swiss cheesed and simplified to the point that we appear, just barely, to be able to make weight.

And so....could it be.....?

I doubt many other FIRST teams get their robot started by hauling out a big piece of steel with a fork lift!

The laser cutter has to be programmed to "cookie cutter" out the parts in an organized fashion.  Here's the pattern.

Starting to slice.

Other sub groups on the team think they are cool.  But hey, laser guys....well what can I say?

Of course laser cutting leads to....

A surprisingly large collection of individual parts!

And a "leftovers" sheet that can be curled up into a modern art installment for the shop.

At close of day Thursday the welding had begun.  I like this photo as it captures the eerie blue light on the wall.  The peculiar shapes of the metal frame are casting their blue shadows....