Operator Board Size Limitations??
 

Posted by Shawn McMahon at 2/10/2001 6:48 PM EST


Student on team #263, Aftershock, from Sachem H.S. and Symbol, Citycorp., Apoge, CA ....



Is there size limit of the operator control board?? We read something about a 3foot by 1foot space, but we're not sure. Where in the manual do they mention this?

Re: Operator Board Size Limitations??
 

Posted by Chris Orimoto at 2/10/2001 7:14 PM EST


Student on team #368, Kika Mana, from McKinley High School and Nasa Ames/Hawaiian Electric/Weinberg Foundation.


In Reply to: Operator Board Size Limitations??
Posted by Shawn McMahon on 2/10/2001 6:48 PM EST:



Don't quote me on this one, but I do think that the
"allowable" shelf space is 3' x 1' at all FIRST
events.
A large operator board would just be a hinderance
however...

Just my personal thoughts...

Chris, #368

Re: Operator Board Size Limitations??
 

Posted by Peter Zobel at 2/11/2001 12:46 AM EST


Engineer on team #557, Alpha C.R.T., from Detroit Cooley and Ford Motor Company.


In Reply to: Operator Board Size Limitations??
Posted by Shawn McMahon on 2/10/2001 6:48 PM EST:



: Is there size limit of the operator control board?? We read something about a 3foot by 1foot space, but we're not sure. Where in the manual do they mention this?

Manual section where it describes the Alliance Station states '1 x 12' shelf 3' above floor.
12 ft / 4 teams = 3 ft per team in my guess and what we're using. But what do I know - we're just rookies.

make sense
 

Posted by Ken Leung at 2/11/2001 4:58 AM EST


Student on team #192, Gunn Robotics Team, from Henry M. Gunn Senior High School.


In Reply to: Re: Operator Board Size Limitations??
Posted by Peter Zobel on 2/11/2001 12:46 AM EST:



:But what do I know - we're just rookies.

What do you mean you are just rookies? Never underestimate yourself about what you know... past experience told me that rookie teams know just as much as any veteran teams do, the only difference is that rookie teams doesn't have as many experience, that's all.

But back to the question about operator control board... Pretty much the size should not be an issue if you keep it under your team's space on the player station. And it's not big issue for FIRST either, because most teams do not have any huge operator control board. As long as the board doesn't damage the station you will be fine.

You just want to make sure it's flat and small enough to be on the table, and at the right height for the driver to use them comfortably. You never want to make too big of a board that will hang off the table all the time. Worst come the worst, you can just have the drivers hold the joystick.

Hmm... this year you might need to watch out for the stop button on the table. Make sure the board fit with the button.

Re: Operator Board Size Limitations??
 

Posted by Michael "Special K" Krass at 2/12/2001 9:43 AM EST


Other on team #271, Mechanical Marauders, from Bay Shore High School and Verizon.


In Reply to: Re: Operator Board Size Limitations??
Posted by Peter Zobel on 2/11/2001 12:46 AM EST:



: Manual section where it describes the Alliance Station states '1 x 12' shelf 3' above floor.
: 12 ft / 4 teams = 3 ft per team in my guess and what we're using. But what do I know - we're just rookies.

Fair enough. But, seeing as the playing field is wider than 12', is that to suggest that the shelf in the alliance station does not extend to the its limits? It doesn't seem to make sense to make a smaller shelf than the width of the playing field. . . Am I making any sense?

~ Michael, whose 'playing field' consists of a random bridge, some piping, and lots of moved chairs and desks.

Copy & Paste from Last Year?
 

Posted by Nate Smith at 2/12/2001 11:36 AM EST


Other on team #66, Frostbite, from Willow Run High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Re: Operator Board Size Limitations??
Posted by Michael on 2/12/2001 9:43 AM EST:



From the experience that I have setting these things up, I can safely say that the shelf does extend for the full 24' of the playing field. I have a feeling that the 1'x12' shelf talked about in the manual(I'm taking everybody's word that's what it says - I don't have my manual handy) was copied directly from last year's manual, where each Alliance Station was only for 2 of the 4 teams, thereby taking only half of the shelf(24' / 2 alliances = 12' per alliance)

At least that's what it looks like from here...

Nate

Re: Copy & Paste from Last Year?
 

Posted by Peter Zobel at 2/16/2001 11:01 PM EST


Engineer on team #557, Alpha C.R.T., from Detroit Cooley and Ford Motor Company.


In Reply to: Copy & Paste from Last Year?
Posted by Nate Smith on 2/12/2001 11:36 AM EST:



: From the experience that I have setting these things up, I can safely say that the shelf does extend for the full 24' of the playing field. I have a feeling that the 1'x12' shelf talked about in the manual... was copied directly from last year's manual,

Could be true, but from the blueprint of the field, I think there is space on the sides to allow access to those ball chutes. FIRST likely would not want players ducking under a 1' metal shelf to get to those. In any case, we're not getting crazy with the controls, so 3' is more than fine.