We worked on drivetrain and an indexer tower prototype. The gearboxes were under-toleranced and too small in a lot of dimensions, so we decided to re-CAD and re-CNC them. The drive frame rectangle was assembled today, though we're having the same issues with bolts we did last year. Turns out stainless-stainless nuts and bolts will essentially weld together, making them impossible to turn at some random point. Future members: don't buy stainless! We're looking at replacing all of those on the drive train. Chain was also measured today.
The new indexer tower just about works, and tomorrow we're going to start trying to jam it to figure out the ball stop mechanism.
In design, we discussed climber details. A Richard-style mechanism, even with a ring to keep rope mostly in place, would require very careful placement relative to cg, so it's likely too risky. Some rough simulations indicate we can build an elevator with 1x1 (as opposed to 1x2), saving some weight and size.