BAUER Independents Ltd.
Specializing in the advancements of humanoid robotics since 2006. Based in Defiance, Ohio USA
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    We know there are those of you in the city of Defiance, as well as in our neighboring communities, who either have an interest in, or who show preexisting talents somewhere within the vast field of robotics. It is our goal to be able to conglomerate in one place periodically to better enhance each other's skills and learn from one another while having fun at the same time. D.O.R.C. is still very much in its infancy at this point, so any technical know-how, spare time, advice, or any form of input you may possess in order to help get this thing off the ground is more than welcome... In fact,  it's needed. There can simply be no club without participants.

     We live in an area where much of our population, especially our youth, is limited in its ability to nurture itself in many of today's rapidly developing technological fields. Robotics, in those respects, is wonderful in the fact that it encompasses a large range of disciplines as well as skill levels.

     Children and young adults: It may be a fact that you possess varying degrees of expertise, but the need for expression and opportunity remains true to you all. I imagine one can only hang out at the mall for so long before being consumed by boredom. Try loosing interest in a subject that moves as fast as you do. And for you die-hard gamers: here lies a chance for you to move beyond the scope of your console games and apply what you see on the screen to working projects that function in the real world.  Perhaps you're having trouble finding ways to apply meaning to what you've learned in school - be it physics, math, science, industrial arts, programming, and even the fine arts. Well, robotics has a spot for you too. Want to hack your toys or make your Roomba "smarter"? I could go on and on, but we'll just leave it at that for now.

     Adults: No matter how old we are, and how much we think we already know, there is always more to learn. Those of you who already have a hobby without a home, or have ideas with no way to execute them, may find that D.O.R.C. can provide the perfect outlet. Does your day-to-day job involve robots in one way or another? We'd love to hear from you!

     We currently have tools available in order to make your projects come to life. Things like Windows and Linux PC's, a CNC lathe, CNC mill, band-saw, drill press, box-pan break,, Dremmel tool, and a ton of various other hand tools. Work with woods, metals, plastics, resins, and carbon fibers. Learn how to anodize, airbrush, vacuum form, make molds, etch boards, program IC's, write code, incorporate sensors, wire circuits, etc.  To help get things started, we have a few robot platforms for educational use - a LEGO Mindstorms® kit,  a VEX Robotics® kit, and a Hitec Robonova-1®. 

     We already have ties to some of the leading roboticits from many different parts of the world. Depending on how far you'd wish to take your personal efforts, it could mean meeting up with and/or competing against other clubs, or participating in different events across the globe.