Autodesk Engineering Awards Program Honors FIRST Robotics Competition Team from Kintnersville, Pennsylvania for Development of "Archimedes" Robot
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The Inventor of the Month is traditionally an honor reserved for established inventors, but this month, Autodesk recognizes the Cybersonics as well as the nearly 30,000 participants of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition who push the boundaries of innovation in engineering and 3D design visualization. Since 1992, Autodesk has contributed approximately $72 million in software, and has worked with the FIRST Robotics Competition to provide students the opportunity to learn about the worlds of engineering and visualization.
According to Robert "Buzz" Kross, vice president of Autodesk's Manufacturing Solutions Division, "We're proud to name the Cybersonics Technology FIRST Robotics Competition Team the Autodesk Inventor of the Month. Autodesk is involved with FIRST to help build passion for and interest in science, technology and engineering in all student participants. While we spotlight this team, we want to recognize all of the teams for their dedication and hard work in demonstrating how to harness the power of 3D to realize every imaginable idea."
This year's FIRST Robotics Competition tested the students' and their robots' ability to fire foam balls through basketball hoops, plow balls into floor goals and program a robotic vision system to navigate the robot.
The Cybersonics Technology Team hails from Palisades High School in Kintnersville, Penn., and is comprised of 29 high school students. "The students on the Inventor team have really taken to 3D model-based design using Autodesk Inventor software," says David Beck, the Cybersonics team mentor. "Designing in 3D enabled us to take our robot to the next level, as we were able to virtually build several prototypes and test them using Autodesk Inventor, improving the robot without causing any lost time. With only six weeks to complete the robot, we needed every moment to count."
The team placed design emphasis on ball targeting and shooting mechanisms after deciding to focus on scoring points in the 10.5-foot-high center goal and being able to drive onto the platform. Before prototyping ball shooters, the three person Inventor group researched pitching machines and recommended a shooting mechanism that put back-spin on the ball -- creating lift and extending range. The team was able to concurrently design the ball shooter, the chassis, ball feeder and controls using Autodesk Inventor software to create "Archimedes," their 2006 robot.
At the FIRST Robotic Championship in Atlanta, Ga., on April 28, the Cybersonics Technology Team earned the Autodesk Inventor Award. This award is presented to the FIRST team that best understands, documents and communicates the distinct phases of the design process, from concept to production, using Autodesk Inventor software offered to each team. Second place Autodesk Inventor Award honors went to the Burning Magnetos from Charleston, S.C. Students from Summerville High School, Fort Dorchester High School and Trident Technical College made up this team. The Rookie Award Winner went to the Fresta Valley Christian School in Marshall, Va. For more details on the 2006 award winners please visit www.autodesk.com.
Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the more than 500,000 worldwide Autodesk Inventor customers. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation that changes the way we live, work or play. For more information on the Autodesk Inventor of the Month program, contact us at Email Contact.
About FIRST
Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. With the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition for high school students and the FIRST LEGO League for children 9-14 years old. To learn more about FIRST and the FIRST Robotics Competition go to www.usfirst.org.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 company, wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, media and entertainment, and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage, become more productive, streamline project efficiency and maximize profits.
Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
(C) 2006 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
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