Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

218: Rivet tread to a wheel powered by 2 mini-CIM Motors to give the shooter extra grip on the frisbees (It worked for about 1 frisbee then because it was spinning so quickly a few of the rivets came undone but kept spinning and the tread whipped around and broke a few pieces on our lexan shooter)

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

219: Not saveing periodically while CADing

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

Totally this^ All the CAD programs really need an auto-save feature, especially when the assembly starts getting really big. It's very easy to forget to save even if you set the reminder every few minutes. I learned very quickly on this one. I just ended up creating a macro on my mouse to ctrl+s every couple minutes. At least the save window pops up so I can decide what to save or not. You could do something similar with autohotkey. Saved me a few times already ;)

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

Bind ctrl+s to left mouse while autodesk is open?

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

This year on our prototype shooter we had an 8" plaction wheel with a super glued tread that work really well. We didn't need to make it because we had it from the 2010 season. That year our team was really concerned with things not coming apart.

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

219. Attempt to climb the pyramid off center

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

220. Using an 8WD with four 35 chains only.
221. Using an 8WD without lowering the mid wheels.
222. Wiring the whole robot with 14 AWG wires.

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

223. Weld the entire shooter assembly as one piece so that it can't be fixed at the state/world championships when a weld breaks.

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

224. Touch the back of an non-insulated sensor board to the chassis of the robot while its powered on.

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

30. Use drill press with no safety goggles

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

226: Pop the game piece (Has not happened to us, hopefully won't)

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

How does one give positive reputation (for technical accuracy) and negative reputation (for bad pun) simultaneously? :p

-Karlis

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

Yep. We have yet to realize that we were only supposed to do this once.

-Karlis

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

I solder without safety goggles. I also drill while holding things in my hand (carefully). You just need to make sure the your hand isn't in the path of the dill. I also carry batteries with one hand and never drop them (even though I'm a weak Indian).
^^^^BUT DON'Y TRY THIS YOURSELF CAUSE I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU LOSE A HAND OR TWO!!!^^^^


Also(things you do only once):
--don't drive robots through doorways. carry them too. If you want, ask me and I can try to record a video of why not to do it.
--wire the connector on a battery backwards.
--pick robots from the frame, not the signal light :D
--put horns on you robot

However, here's something I noticed, but they would be under "Things you only do NEVER":
--weld without eye or hand protection
--never disassemble those batteries even if you like playing with acids and chemicals.
--humans vs robots
--don't try to charge a battery by plugging it into the wall :D
--don't draw more than 120 amps continuously from a battery

--and best of all: DON'T DRIVE ROBOTS OFF THE TOP OF BUILDINGS, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A COP CAR RIGHT UNDERNEATH :D


What to do:
--Create a battery tray and line the bottom with a thick layer of baking soda. a sheet of paper above it is also good. Avoid wood because I think baking soda and wood might create a mess
--Travel with baking soda
--CHARGE BATTERIES AT A LOWE SPEED THAN THEY ARE RATED
--batteries plus loose metal objects equals fires, and so is a no-no. KEEP BATTERIES IN THEIR OWN COMPARTMENT
--MAKE SURE THE BATTERY IS FIXED PROPERLY. --i should have posted a picture of how our testbot battery was affixed --a big no-no
--turn off the breaker and unplug the battery if you see some magic smoke.
--if you need help, ask for it. don't be shy. I (and many others) will be willing to assist you at competitions
--If another team needs a part or needs to borrow a tool that only you have and aren't using, go ahead. It'll only increase your team reputation


I hope this helps ;)
I also hope this makes you laugh (part of it) ;)

Re: Things you only do ONCE!
 

No!

You also need to make sure your hand isn't in the path of whatever it is you're drilling when the bit catches on it and spins it around at high speed. Basically you need to not be holding the part.