Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

Frank (and staff) comes through again! Thanks!

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

I would support that... IF there were some rules in place to encourage inspections - only teams that have passed inspection can go out, or you can only go out once an hour until you pass, something like that... we don't want to see teams spend 6 hours cycling through the line over and over again, then scrambling at the very end of the day to get inspected.

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

To be honest, I don't think teams should be allowed to practice until they either pass inspection or the LRI says they can (special cases late in the day, minor changes that aren't critical but may take time). Every year we talk about potentially dangerous robots on the practice field and with no official rules about "safety inspections" there isn't much that can be done. I don't remember the last time we went the practice field with out being inspected but I know it's not very often.

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

I would agree with this. I've always been somewhat baffled by how FIRST chooses what elements of the inspection process truly get emphasized with things like this, as well as elimination re-inspections. Robots make it out there with potentially dangerous electrical or pneumatic flaws, but god forbid your bumpers sag too low...

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

This. I don't think we've ever made it through an elimination inspection without having to adjust our bumpers because its just a hair out of the bumper zone in one spot.

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

I've been on 1592 since 2007, I dont think we've ever been told that our bumpers were too low or sagging or outside the bumper zone. I always thought it was one of the few rules that hardly got called on.

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

How many times have we seen a robot just not work during quals because they never made it to the field to make sure the coms to the FMS are working?
So for me, everyone should or must go to the field at least once on Thursday, inspected or not.

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

When the practice matches are done we have a list of every team that has not made it to the field and encourage them to come out and link up the the field.

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

Same here. Even if it isn't for a real match, the FTA, queuers, and LRI work together to make sure everyone has connected, even if nothing else is working on the robot. That doesn't mean teams won't screw something up before quals!

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

This is a phenomenal change - the only downside for us is that it will shorten the awesome Thursday night team dinner we always have at the NC Regional in a top secret location we found in Durham.

To the concerns above about uninspected robots cycling for hours, the events I have participated in (either with my team or as a volunteer) have only allowed uninspected teams to play in their "scheduled" practice matches...you must pass inspection to fill in empty spots.

NOW, if FIRST would allow teams to set up their pits Wednesday night (still no robot unbagging, of course) so they could be ready first thing Thursday morning to get started working or get inspected - that would make practice day run a great deal better.

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

When working in the CSA role, I coordinate with inspectors (Hi Jon!) and start visiting the list of "haven't been on the field yet" teams early in the afternoon on practice day. In particular, I focus on rookies and teams that appear to be struggling, to ensure that they get out early and get connected. I also go look at the status board at the inspection table, and examine any partially completed inspection forms to identify teams with control system issues. I'll also get messages from the field pointing out teams that are having connectivity issues during practice.

Last year, at the two events I worked, we had a small handful of teams that first connected after the close of practice. Everyone was connected by the end of the evening of practice.

We had comments on our bumpers last year, so I know it happens.

Based on Frank's blog post, it's likely that the overall practice day schedule (pit open to close) will be roughly the same as last year. I hope that connectivity tests are allowed during the time prior to practice field open.

Re: [FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014
 

Many teams don't know what they're doing (the inspectors need something to do all Friday) but often blame the field (and the mostly experienced volunteers) for their robot isn't working even if it's mostly made of wood and the bumpers are hanging by the threads of fabric that barely passed inspection but by God we know what we're doing!