[FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

http://www.firstinspires.org/robotic...tual-kit-items

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

This list looks much bigger than last years if I'm not mistaken. Thanks to all the great sponsors!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Very interested in the SolidProfessor license. Thank you FIRST and sponsors!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Checking out the TC Connectivity Website... They offer a "Subsea" line of products.

Come on FIRST, at least TRY to keep the game a secret.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

What is "and will be posted to the Virtual Kit of Parts site "?

Where is this site?

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Poking around through a couple submenus on http://firstinspires.org eventually got me to a link for the virtual KoP page here. I assume it will be populated by tomorrow.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

In the past, virtual KoP codes were in the sidebar on TIMS. Same location where the FC login password was IIRC.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

My apologies. The original post had hyperlinks that didn't get copied into my post. The post has been updated.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

:eek: :D

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Yay! Altium is back again!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

I worked for TE during last year's season and found a connector they make that is virtually identical to Anderson Powerpoles. I haven't confirmed that they fit together with the Anderson product, but we used them on our bot last year with pretty good success. Had a little trouble with the contacts, that we received in a coil-fed form and had to cut apart - but as soon as we mastered the crimp, they were great. I hope these connectors are available with their donation.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Pay attention! That was mentioned on the FRC blog months ago ;)

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

It was? I have only noticed it in the past few weeks.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Has anyone ever actually had any luck with working with GitHub? I requested a team repository last spring, and got a 25% off coupon code. I emailed them again multiple times this fall asking if we could get better, as I was hearing from other teams that they were getting silver accounts for free, and they never responded. So we ended up having to pay, as we needed private repositories. Does anyone have a direct email to the people that work with FIRST at GitHub so we can try and get the donated silver account like the virtual kit says we should get?

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

PDV is in! Time to order some motor conrollers

*goes to AndyMark dot com*

*search for "Talon SRX"*

*click*

*out of stock*

:( Merry Christmas

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

We followed the process in the following thread a few years ago and got a bronze account.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=109427

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Maybe it just feels like months ago :)

It was posted in late October: http://archive.usfirst.org/roboticsp...or-controllers

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

So are we not allowed to use the National Instruments Statechart Module until kickoff? I can download it, but it won't let me install because I don't have LabVIEW 2015 installed, and to my knowledge we won't get that until kickoff.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Sorry about that! They should be back in stock within 15-20 minutes.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

#blessed

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

It isn't a direct answer to your question, but 2052 has been using BitBucket for a few years because they offer unlimited private repositories for free for educational groups. Setting it up took just a single email, and our entire domain was whitelisted, so anyone who registers with an @team2052.com address gets an educational account.

We actually have 20 repositories right now, so if we were to go with GitHub we would have to start paying when we create the repository for the 2016 robot.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

We emailed this account and recieved a free bronze license: jdb@github.com

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

In 2012 I was able to get free private repos by email them at support@github.com. The only hoop I had to jump through was they made us create a new organization account for our team.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

OK teams, lets up the ante with the Automation Direct voucher!

The first 10 teams that use the Automation Direct Voucher AND post here with the items they purchased, will be issued a second $30 voucher. We will also pick another 5 teams (at random) that use their vouchers this weekend ("weekend" starts now ;-) and award them another voucher also.

Two teams have already used their vouchers (congrats to 3049 and 2493) - and quite a few others have "claimed" their voucher (on our site) - but haven't completed check out.

I'll repeat the instructions here:


IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
We cannot apply the discount AFTER you place an order!

1.) To obtain your voucher code on TIMS visit: my.usfirst.org/frc/tims/site.lasso

2.) Login, or create a New Account here: www.automationdirect.com/new-user

3.) Then visit www.automationdirect.com/Voucher to enter the code above.


This will enable a one-time $30 credit for your account. Any amount not utilized on the order will be forfeited.


Use your $30 voucher toward any items available at: www.AutomationDirect.com


Some Restrictions Apply:

1. Orders must be placed online. No ‘call in’ orders. Stock items ordered by 6:00pm EST will ship the same day.

2. Orders must ship to a US or Canadian address.

3. The voucher cannot be used towards shipping fees. Orders under $49 are shipped ground to US addresses for a flat rate of $6 (a credit card (or PayPal) will be required to pay for shipping). Orders to Canada will incur brokerage fees. Larger orders may qualify for free two-day shipping - see Web Site for details:

http://www.automationdirect.com/stat...s/adpolicy.pdf

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

I meant to mention: Teams 3049 and team 2493 used their AutomationDirect vouchers to purchase:

AEM2G11Z11-3 - Snap action Limit Switch

and

FVS14-14N - Flow control valves (2/pk)

Both are excellent choices that were also popular with teams last year.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

I'm always up for more great stuff from Automation Direct, thanks!

FRC 2493

OrderReference: 9211462
Order received Friday, December 11, 2015 at 7:26 AM EST


Order summary :

Item Code | Unit Price | Quantity

FVS14-14N $12.50 2
( )

Shipping and Handling : $6.00
Order Total : $6.00

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

FRC 358 used Automation Direct's generous donation for a AVS-5221-24D solenoid valve.
Order number: 9211801

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

FRC 857 bought a pack of cable tie mounts (BM-N0902), pneumatic T-fittings (UT14), and a crimper (9722240).

Order number 9211839

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Thank you automation direct for your sponsorship, we got these items:

PLUG14 - TC-12 - ME14-10N!

Order #9211842

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

4918 has purchased a pair of 2" stroke pneumatic pistons, order #9211849.

Thank you Automation Direct!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

ME14-18N
FTG MALE ELBOW 5/PK ROT-PBT 1/4in TUBE TO 1/8in MNPT

MS14-18N
FTG MALE STR 5/PK BRASS 1/4in TUBE TO 1/8in MNPT

UT14
FTG UNION TEE 5/PK PBT (3) 1/4in TUBE

4039 thanks Automation Direct!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Rookie Team 5842 also ordered a AVS-5221-24D valve.

Order 9211864.

Thanks Automation Direct!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

FRC 2052 KnightKrawler placed order number: 9211882
PLUG14 - FTG PLUG 5/PK 1/4in TUBE 3.00 2 $6.00
UX14 - FTG UNION CROSS 5/PK PBT (4) 1/4in TUBE 14.50 1 $14.50
BFMT-18N - MALE TEE 2/PK 1/8in MNPT (2) 1/8in FNPT 4.25 2 $8.50
PGU14 - PRESSURE GAUGE 0-170 PSI 1/4in TUBE CONNECTIONS INLINE

Thanks!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

FRC 5414 got (2) 7/16" bore 1/2" stroke cylinders. Thanks!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

OK, that's more like it! Now I feel like our voucher program has been officially "kicked off"...

I didn't count, but we're close to 10 already, remember that we'll pick some random teams (that have ordered by then) on Monday also. And please keep posting, I think it helps other teams to see which parts are popular from our selection of ~15,000 automation items!

Don't forget that Automation Direct always ships "same-day" for in-stock parts (and over 98% are!). And 2-day SHIPPING IS FREE whenever you SPEND $49 or more (sorry, the $30 voucher doesn't count towards the $49).

So, order now and get some great automation parts to fortify YOUR "Stronghold"!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Chip,
How do we use the additional voucher dollars? Use our same voucher key again?

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

TC-12 $4.25 2
ME14-14N $6.75 1
MRT14-14N $12.00 1

I think we're #10, if I counted correctly. Thanks for the (extra) support!
We haven't done pneumatics since 2013 ... We haven't done working pneumatics since 2010 ... We haven't done correct pneumatics ... ever. Thanks for the gentle push to expand our boundaries.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Unfortunately we're #11 and 12 - only1chip listed 2 other teams in his first post that I suspect you aren't accounting for.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Nuts. Maybe we'll be one of the Fortunate Five.
Thanks again Chip and everyone at Automation Direct!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Chip listed our team in the initial post, but I also followed the direction to post the transaction in the thread as well, so don't count us twice (FRC 2493)

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

It's also a shame we don't see a voucher from Bimba. We are always happy with their cylinders and it would be a shame not be able to support them anymore because we can't afford to buy new cylinders.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

I don't believe hope for the long standing Bimba donation is lost. It's probably just delayed for release at Kickoff.
Last year it became active only on Kickoff day.
The pledge and dates posted by Bimba on this website posting match up to the 2016 FRC World Championship event.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Automation Direct included yet another extra to my order, a pneumatic tube cutter.

****SHIPPED ITEMS*****
Qty Item
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1.0/AVS-5221-24D VALVE 4-WAY 2-POS Cv=0.78 24VDC 1/8in FNPT SPOOL DBL-SOL ALUM
1.0/PROMOED1 TUBE CUTTER, PROMOTIONAL ITEM

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Ok, I see alot of teams are getting these pneumatic valves with the Automation Direct voucher. I have a couple questions about them.

AVS-5221-24D VALVE 4-WAY 2-POS Cv=0.78 24VDC 1/8in FNPT SPOOL DBL-SOL ALUM

Would they fit on the VEX manifolds, and if so, would that manifold(made for the lower flow VEX valves) restrict the flow more than the manifold that AD recommends?

VEX solenoids and manifolds

Any idea why they're so cheap compared to the ones on the VEX site? The flow rate is so much higher...

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

The solenoid valve you have linked from Automation Direct does not attach to a manifold. This solenoid valve has 1/8" NPT female ports built into the body for directly plumbing the solenoid to what you are actuating.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

They certainly have the option to be attached to a manifold, according to these specs.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Automation Direct is a wonderful sponsor. But what did your team find from our other sponsors like Digikey, Inventables and TE Connectivity?
so far we have got a Roborio from Andymark and the and the SRXes from CTRE. the team captains are looking over the rest this weekend..
thinking maybe some endmils or some of this from Inventables

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

From last year, we got LED switches, resistors, and LED strips from Digikey; terminals, the header kit, and a small sheet of polycarb from Inventables.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

I am really excited to use the Statechart LabVIEW module from NI. We have created state machines in our robot code previously, but these will be much more explicit, easier to understand, and easier to debug I expect.

Thanks NI for continuing to bring us some awesome tools!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Have you been able to use it yet? When I tried it said I need LabVIEW 2015, which I didn't think we would get until kickoff.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Agreed, I had no intention of slighting any of the other KOP sponsors - only to generate some extra publicity for our program (full disclosure, I am paid to do that ;-)

The other suppliers are all very generous also, and I think it's a great idea to share information about what you may be getting from them (when you have choices). This can only help other teams, that may not have as much experience.

Chip

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

I have enabled new vouchers for 11 teams (the "first 10", and the "only qualifying" team of the 5 random teams). These vouchers should now be active in the Automation Direct account used for your first purchase - just log back in and shop. The credit should be applied at check-out (let me know via PM - BEFORE you order - if you don't see the credit).

I'll check back at 3:00 pm EST to see if any other teams would like to vie for the remaining 4 random slots ;-) Remember, you have to complete your purchase at our webstore AND post here with a note about what you bought.

Congrats to teams: 2493, 3049, 358, 857, 1323, 4918, 4039, 5842, 2052, 5414 and to the not-so-randomly selected team 1529.

Chip

PS Mark McLeod mentioned the free tubing cutter (thanks Mark!) . We started including those last year with each "voucher" purchase. The inspectors in our region tell us that poorly-cut tubing (non-square ends) are a common cause of leaks. And the small advertisement on the side of the cutter is a nice reminder about where you can find good quality parts, at great prices, with super fast (sometimes FREE) shipping ;-)

The cutter is free again this year (automatically added to all FRC voucher orders), while supplies last, bla, bla, bla...

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Just made my purchase:

1 - AVS-5221-24D VALVE 4-WAY 2-POS Cv=0.78 24VDC 1/8in FNPT SPOOL DBL-SOL ALUM

Order Number: 9213065


Thanks Automation Direct!

Last year we bought:

1 - AM1-AN-4A - INDUC PROX 12mm NPN 8mm RNG 3-WIRE DC N.O. 2m CABLE UNSHIELDED

1 - BM-N0901 - Cable Tie Mounts

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Thanks Automation Direct! My order number is 9213085. I got this Pneumatic valve!
AVS-5221-24D
VALVE 4-WAY 2-POS Cv=0.78 24VDC 1/8in FNPT SPOOL DBL-SOL ALUM

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Just used our extra credits, thanks!

AVS-5221-24D
VALVE 4-WAY 2-POS Cv=0.78 24VDC 1/8in FNPT SPOOL DBL-SOL ALUM

AM-522
MANIFOLD 2-STATION FOR AVS-52 SERIES VALVES ALUM

(also digging the interactiveness of the company!)

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Team 1746 just submitted our order using the PDV! We'll let someone else get any of the remaining bonus offers since we already get more than enough support from Automation Direct.

We want to thank Automation Direct for being a great program sponsor for FIRST as well as our team's founding sponsor. We are excited to head into our team's 11th year of competition with them as our lead sponsor.

Thanks Chip!

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Sorry for the delay folks. I tried to change my e-mail address, and managed to lock myself out of CD for a couple hours... Doh!

I have now enabled credits for Teams 2781, 1038, and another for 2493 (I didn't specifically rule out recursive entries - and given the low number of qualifying teams - I realized they had actually met the requirements - again!). Just log in to the same account you used for your first order and start shopping - the credit should appear in your shopping cart.

That will do it for this promo. But we may do something similar as the season heats up, check back here on CD for details!

Good luck with Stronghold!


Chip (and the rest of the Automation Direct team)

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

And you do your job very well

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

We did our TE voucher. It's a little strange since it is done through the product sample site so they never give you a total or anything like that as you are requesting product.



Basically we got some ring terminals and a lot of heat shrink. When I did the math what I ordered came out to just under $25 but I may have made a mistake or they may have removed some quantity to account for shipping costs, I'm not really sure. Either way it's a nice addition to the KOP.

Re: [FRC Blog] Pre-Kickoff Virtual Kit Items
 

Automation Direct's prox and photoelectric sensor selection have always been very nice, with affordable prices. :)