View Full Version : [FRC Blog] 2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
Posted on the FRC Blog (http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog), 12/20/16: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog/2017-early-release-vouchers-software
2017 Early Release Vouchers and Software
Written by Jamee Luce, FIRST Robotics Competition Team Advocate, 2016 DEC 20.
It’s the time of year again! One way to get excited about the upcoming season is to start utilizing all the tools available to teams. Virtual items are included as part of the Kit of Parts system and are available to all secured 2017 FIRST Robotics Competition teams. They consist of software licenses/downloads and Product Donation Vouchers (aka “PDVs” or “vouchers”) and will be posted to the Virtual Kit of Parts site (http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/kit-of-parts) today, December 20, 2016 at 3PM Eastern.
Vouchers can be redeemed for specific items or a selection of items up to a specific dollar amount (teams pay for shipping), but refer to the Virtual Kit site (http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/kit-of-parts) for details on how to pursue these helpful donations.
There will be additional items added to the Virtual Kit on Kickoff, so make sure to check them all out then!
Our thanks to all of our Suppliers who make the Kit of Parts happen each year!
Caleb Sykes
20-12-2016, 15:34
I'm so happy that they are releasing these PDVs early. We can order these in the next few days and get them all before build season starts or in the first couple of weeks. In the past we wouldn't get some things quickly enough to actually use them until the next season.
Thanks FIRST.
We're considering switching to Solidworks this year as one of the classes in the school has started using it as well. I don't see an obvious link on the solidworks page to apply for team software -- any teams that have done it, is that the "apply for sponsorship" link?
We're considering switching to Solidworks this year as one of the classes in the school has started using it as well. I don't see an obvious link on the solidworks page to apply for team software -- any teams that have done it, is that the "apply for sponsorship" link?
Solidworks has a link for to apply for licenses and more information at solidworks.com/first (http://solidworks.com/first). You should receive an email with license information in around a week.
You can apply year round, so we typically renew in the summer.
Solidworks has a link for to apply for licenses and more information at solidworks.com/first (http://solidworks.com/first). You should receive an email with license information in around a week.
You can apply year round, so we typically renew in the summer.
Right.... There's an "apply for sponsorship" link at that address, but it's not clear if that's for software, or grant money, or something else. I just didn't want to go through a grant application mistakenly thinking it's for software.
Solidworks treats their software license donation as a sponsorship, and would like to be put on your team website/shirts/etc.
Last year we received a 50 seat license. That's worth a lot o' $$$
Solidworks treats their software license donation as a sponsorship, and would like to be put on your team website/shirts/etc.
Last year we received a 50 seat license. That's worth a lot o' $$$
Gotcha... makes sense at that level. Thanks for the info!
Lil' Lavery
20-12-2016, 21:02
No VexPro motor controller voucher this year? :(
sanddrag
20-12-2016, 21:04
Very happy to see Automation Direct return with a PDV, and very interesting to see MasterCAM involved. This is a very expensive software.
Bkeeneykid
20-12-2016, 21:19
Kinda banking on having a discount on the American Button Machines button maker, as we just found several hundred button kits for a size we don't have a button maker for, but all well.
No VexPro motor controller voucher this year? :(
I think having the four controllers in FIRST Choice replaced that.
billbo911
21-12-2016, 10:04
No VexPro motor controller voucher this year? :(
I think having the four controllers in FIRST Choice replaced that.
I tend to agree with Nick on this one.
We received 2 Talon SRX's and 4 Victor SP's via FIRST Choice.
GreyingJay
21-12-2016, 10:13
I tend to agree with Nick on this one.
We received 2 Talon SRX's and 4 Victor SP's via FIRST Choice.
We got a couple, but no Talons :( I don't think that having them in the FIRST Choice by lottery is quite the same as having a voucher that has more or less guaranteed redemption value.
We got a couple, but no Talons :( I don't think that having them in the FIRST Choice by lottery is quite the same as having a voucher that has more or less guaranteed redemption value.
I agree. Having a voucher is also better for teams who either miss the FC deadline or need control system components more than motor controllers.
Does the KoP include more product keys for the NI Software? Last year my team ran into the problem where we lost our 2014 product key for DS, so we had to contact NI to retrieve it. When we used that key it said it was the last usage available for that key (3 of 3 I believe). This year we have a new driver station, so will a new key come with the KoP? If not, how to we go about getting the software?
I agree. Having a voucher is also better for teams who either miss the FC deadline or need control system components more than motor controllers.
We didn't get any Talon SRX's this year, we had them down 6th on our list -- we needed control components and some spares more urgently. We also need Talons too, but we expected the control components to go alot faster than they did.
Bkeeneykid
21-12-2016, 11:29
Does the KoP include more product keys for the NI Software? Last year my team ran into the problem where we lost our 2014 product key for DS, so we had to contact NI to retrieve it. When we used that key it said it was the last usage available for that key (3 of 3 I believe). This year we have a new driver station, so will a new key come with the KoP? If not, how to we go about getting the software?
A new key will come on the LabView software package. Even with using that key on all seven of our laptops, I never ran into the use of too many keys. Keep in mind you don't need to activate them (I don't believe). You should just be able to keep the product key blank.
Mark McLeod
21-12-2016, 11:32
Does the KoP include more product keys for the NI Software? Last year my team ran into the problem where we lost our 2014 product key for DS, so we had to contact NI to retrieve it. When we used that key it said it was the last usage available for that key (3 of 3 I believe). This year we have a new driver station, so will a new key come with the KoP? If not, how to we go about getting the software?
Also, keep in mind that the software changes every year, so you will be downloading a new FRC software package that the new key applies to.
Also, keep in mind that the software changes every year, so you will be downloading a new FRC software package that the new key applies to.
Okay thanks! I'll make sure to activate the new software after kickoff then.
Michael Hill
21-12-2016, 15:48
I noticed a lack of Altium this year :(. I liked that software. Hopefully next year's SolidWorks will have SolidWorks circuit design software (AKA Altium Lite)
EDIT: Disclaimer. I haven't actually seen all the features of the SolidWorks circuit design software. I just know it's very Altium based, but I assume it doesn't have all the features. So, it's either SolidWorks Xtra Heavy or Altium Lite.
marshall
21-12-2016, 16:09
I noticed a lack of Altium this year :(. I liked that software. Hopefully next year's SolidWorks will have SolidWorks circuit design software (AKA Altium Lite)
EDIT: Disclaimer. I haven't actually seen all the features of the SolidWorks circuit design software. I just know it's very Altium based, but I assume it doesn't have all the features. So, it's either SolidWorks Xtra Heavy or Altium Lite.
I liked it as well and I hope we still get it. Will be kinda sad if we don't.
Altium has a free-sorta thing out now too:
http://circuitmaker.com
Bluman56
21-12-2016, 16:37
Wait... No Bimba? Or is that voucher in the physical kit?
Mark McLeod
21-12-2016, 17:19
Bimba usually does their donation on their own website, but I think it was announced late last year.
There seem to be other usual companies that aren't listed (yet).
2016 season for comparison (http://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/frc/2016-kit-of-parts)
We'll just have to wait and see.
2016 KOP Vouchers on Kickoff day:
Product Donation Vouchers
AndyMark (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://www.andymark.com/) Voucher, $450 (USD): Voucher code available in TIMS (only for teams who opted out of the KOP Drive System). (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://archive.firstinspires.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-KOP-Drive-System-Opt-Out) Shipping not included.
AutomationDirect.com (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://automationdirect.com/) Voucher, $30 (USD): See detailed instructions here (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5621). Shipping not included.
CTR Electronics (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://www.ctr-electronics.com/)/Innovation First International (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://vexpro.com/) Voucher, 2 Talon SRXes or 3 Victor SPs: Voucher code is available in TIMS and redeemable here (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://vexpro.com/pdv-2016). Shipping not included.
DigiKey (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://digikey.com/) Voucher, $50 (USD): Click here (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://www.digikey.com/us/en/mkt/FIRST.html?WT.z_vanity=DK_First_Robotics) to access. Shipping not included.
Inventables (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/https://www.inventables.com/) Voucher, $30 (USD): Use your Team's code in TIMS. Shipping not included.
N (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://store.nextgenrobots.com/)ext Gen (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://store.nextgenrobots.com/) Robots (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://store.nextgenrobots.com/) Voucher, 1 CIM Cooler: Use your team’s code in TIMS. Shipping not included.
TE Connectivity (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://www.te.com/usa-en/home.html) Voucher, $25 (USD) for select products (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/te-first-catalog-final.pdf): To redeem this voucher, use your team’s main contact email in TIMS and follow the instructions in the Quick Reference Guide (https://web.archive.org/web/20160109000624/http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/sample-center-quick-reference-guide-first.pdf). Shipping is included.Final 2016 KOP Vouchers:
Product Donation Vouchers
16 Hertz (http://www.16Hertz.com) Voucher, One Free Leonardo++ Microcontroller: Click here (http://www.16Hertz.com/frc2016/) to find your team's promo code. Shipping information coming soon. Expiration Date coming soon. PDF of Voucher (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/2016-16hertz-flyer.pdf).
AndyMark (http://www.andymark.com) Voucher, $450 (USD): Voucher code available in TIMS (only for teams who opted out of the KOP Drive System). (http://archive.firstinspires.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-KOP-Drive-System-Opt-Out) Shipping not included.
AutomationDirect.com (https://www.automationdirect.com) Voucher, $30 (USD): See detailed instructions here (http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5621). Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/2016-automation-direct-voucher.pdf).
Bimba (http://www.bimba.com/First-Robotics) Voucher, 2 Free Cylinders: Click here (http://www.bimba.com/First-Robotics) to order your free cyclinders. Ground Shipping is included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/2016-bimba-flyer.pdf).
BishopWisecarver (http://www2.bwc.com/firstvoucher) Voucher, 4 Free MadeWell Wheels for Linear Guides: Click here (http://www2.bwc.com/FIRSTVoucher) to redeem your team's voucher. Shipping is not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/2016-bwc-flyer.pdf).
CTR Electronics (http://www.ctr-electronics.com)/Innovation First International (http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/) Voucher, 2 Talon SRXes or 3 Victor SPs: Voucher code is available in TIMS and redeemable here (http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/pdv-2016.html). Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16.
DigiKey (http://www.digikey.com/) Voucher, $50 (USD): Click here (http://www.digikey.com/us/en/mkt/FIRST.html?WT.z_vanity=DK_First_Robotics) to access. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/2016-digikey-flyer.pdf).
ECIA (http://www.ecianow.org), Team Tool Download: Use the QR Code on the Voucher to download the 3-D printer file for a wire gauge checker. PDF of Voucher (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/2016-ecia-flyer.pdf).
Inventables (https://www.inventables.com/) Voucher, $40 (USD): Use your Team's code in TIMS. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16
Maxbotix (http://www.maxbotix.com) Voucher, $35 (USD): Use the code provided on the flyer to receive $35 off any order. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: Coming Soon PDF of Voucher (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/2016-maxbotix-flyer.pdf).
N (http://store.nextgenrobots.com/)ext Gen (http://store.nextgenrobots.com/) Robots (http://store.nextgenrobots.com/) Voucher, 1 CIM Cooler: Use your team’s code in TIMS. Shipping not included. Expiration Date: 6/1/16, but can be extended, if teams need more time.
TE Connectivity (http://www.te.com/usa-en/home.html) Voucher, $25 (USD) for select products (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/te-first-catalog-final.pdf): To redeem this voucher, use your team’s main contact email in TIMS and follow the instructions in the Quick Reference Guide (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/sample-center-quick-reference-guide-first.pdf). Shipping is included. Expiration Date: 4/30/16. PDF of Voucher (http://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/game-and-season-info/kit-of-parts/2016/2016-tec-flyer.pdf).
wireties
21-12-2016, 18:29
Love that MasterCAM is involved! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Christopher149
21-12-2016, 23:38
I posted this (https://www.reddit.com/r/FRC/comments/5hxyp6/kit_of_parts/db3trsk/) to reddit a little bit ago, but I just realized there are some vouchers we know about not listed on the KOP page.
$50 Digikey (http://www.digikey.com/en/resources/first) starting on kickoff
$20 Clippard (http://www.clippard.com/cms/wiki/clippard-proudly-supports-first)
otherguy
21-12-2016, 23:56
Has anyone been successful in redeeming the American Button Machines PDV (https://www.americanbuttonmachines.com/pages/first-robot)?
Entering the code in TIMS into their site doesn't appear to work. I've tried Chrome, Firefox, and IE11. No go.
The code in our TIMS account looks pretty generic. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same code for everyone. Maybe it's not active yet?, but I don't see a start date listed on the KOP site for this item.
Has anyone been successful in redeeming the American Button Machines PDV (https://www.americanbuttonmachines.com/pages/first-robot)?
Entering the code in TIMS into their site doesn't appear to work. I've tried Chrome, Firefox, and IE11. No go.
The code in our TIMS account looks pretty generic. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same code for everyone. Maybe it's not active yet?, but I don't see a start date listed on the KOP site for this item.
Nope, just keeps coming back to the prompt. I tried a few variations of case and added a space, no joy.
otherguy
22-12-2016, 12:50
Thanks for confirming.
Maybe it will go live after kickoff.
mman1506
23-12-2016, 02:01
Has anyone received word back from MasterCAM yet?
Has anyone received word back from MasterCAM yet?
Nope. Got a confirmation email that I applied but that's it.
otherguy
23-12-2016, 22:00
I reported the American Button Machines issue on the Blog. Looks like the code works now. Looks like the software is web based, haven't used it yet.
Sent from my 6045I using Tapatalk
wireties
23-12-2016, 22:20
Nope. Got a confirmation email that I applied but that's it.
same here ...
billbo911
24-12-2016, 12:56
I just received the Armabot RS7 Encoder for the 775 Pro from the provided voucher. Let me just say WOW!!
This appears to be an incredible simple way to add feedback to practically any device that is driven by a 775 Pro.
With 12 PPR, non contact magnet encoding. We may be buying more of these Bad Boys!
yarden.saa
24-12-2016, 13:28
For many years my team doesn't use the PDV's in the KoP because we are from Israel and shipping cost more than the PDV's...
Is it legal to give it to another team?
For many years my team doesn't use the PDV's in the KoP because we are from Israel and shipping cost more than the PDV's...
Is it legal to give it to another team?
Yes I have traded things with other teams in the past.
I would also think that if you call companies like Inventables they would do a group shipment and save you money.
marshall
24-12-2016, 15:12
I just received the Armabot RS7 Encoder for the 775 Pro from the provided voucher. Let me just say WOW!!
This appears to be an incredible simple way to add feedback to practically any device that is driven by a 775 Pro.
With 12 PPR, non contact magnet encoding. We may be buying more of these Bad Boys!
We used them last year. Can confirm. Definitely amazing. 10/10 would sense rotations with again.
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