New CNC Machine Among New Tools Shaping Foley Freeze Robot

By Emily Eisenhauer

The Foley Freeze relies on thousands of dollars each year to fund the program. Equally important to the success of the organization are donations of equipment and services that allow the team to assemble and refine the robot.

In the past year, those donations included a new CNC machine and a 3D printer, as well as services from companies that included cutting wood parts, bending sheet metal and anodizing parts.

These donations, as well as the financing from among a total of about 30 sponsors, have been a key component to both victories at robot competitions and winning specific awards for the fit-and-finish of the machine. The modern equipment also creates a more professional environment to prepare students for future technology careers.

“Having these in-kind sponsors that do things for us, it really mimics the real world…there’s also value in mimicking that,” said Kevin Swift, assistant team coach.

The CNC machine was donated by the Causley family, who have two children who have been involved in the program. The CNC machine cuts out precision shapes from sheets of metal, plexiglass, and other materials on a four-foot-square base. It is used mostly for cutting out smaller, precise parts and bearing holes. Recently, it has been used to construct the plate for a robot’s gatherer and in robots’ driving modules.

The 3D printer was a purchased with funds from several sponsors to the robotics program. The machine has been used to make small mounts for sensors, connectors, shields, and small parts as well as small caps for the robots.

Among other supporters, E-Zee Set Wood Products helps the team cut wood parts with precision and more professional tools. Color Coat Plating coats and anodizes some of the robot’s parts that would otherwise only be able to be powder coated.

For more precise and larger sheet metal bending, Universal Fabrications takes metals and parts for bending in their shop for the team. Copeland-Gibson provides water-jetting of the robot’s frame and chassis in order to lighten the overall weight of the robot.

Advanced Prototyping is a brand new sponsor which has the ability to provide industrial-grade 3D printed parts in SLS, more advanced nylon than the team has on hand with our printer.

“[The machines] really have transformed our capabilities and what we are able to make,” says Kevin Swift.