The Alliance Station

[kiddoatthedisco]

Does anyone use something to carry their laptop and joysticks and/or gamepad to the alliance station? I was asked to design one for our team, but I need inspiration. It would be greatly appreciated.

[m1506m]

Aluminum briefcase with your team logo etched into it? Look into salt water etching.

[Dr.Gusta]

Building of the idea of a briefcase. TF2 capture the flag briefcase? http://askblufemspy.tumblr.com/page/8

[Pretzel]

Our team has made a cart that we use to carry both the robot and the laptop/joysticks. The cart is made out of aluminum extrusion with four adjustable pegs that hold the robot up (you slide them to the correct width depending on the size of that year's robot) and a small bracket on the back that our laptop/joystick panel hooks onto. The laptop and joysticks are actually mounted to a piece of polycarbonate framed by extrusion, and the extrusion is what the bracket on the cart slides into to secure the laptop and joysticks.

The handy part about this is that you laptop and joysticks are then attached to one panel. You just lift the panel, set it on the ledge in the alliance station, and then you're done. You don't have to worry about arranging them since they're already in a set position in relation to the other components.

[z_beeblebrox]

We use a thrift shop briefcase. I believe it's labeled:

Team 4183's Nuclear Launch Controller. Do not touch.

I'm serious.

Super serious.

[Andy Brockway]

We currently use one that has three pieces of polycarbonate with hinges so it folds up. It has a handle to carry it when folded.

We have built flat single boards, three piece and four piece control stations over the years.

[Calvin Hartley]

in 2012 we had something as simple as a piece of plexiglass with our computer and controls velcroed onto it. in 2013 it was a neat box a couple inches thick that we had all the extra wires and things inside it. Also, obligatory red LEDs.

[nathannfm]

Here is one I helped design for the team I was on last year. http://screencloud.net//img/screenshots/c49bb1e320d47021efa14c5fef9d6168.png
Not shown (to the right of the laptop) are 2 Attack joysticks velcroed down, a AA battery box under them for the LEDs a USB hub and the charger for the laptop. This year there will be an outlet available for your laptop so thats even more reason to have a spot for your charger on your operator console.

Something to keep in mind, it can be no bigger than 60 in. long by 14 in. deep (pretty sure that more than last year) per R94