Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

On the note of cooling fans, I will just add that cooling fans can be VERY useful for controlling the temperature of the KoP pneumatic compressors, which can otherwise get VERY hot during extended operation (and consequently, less efficient).

Thermal Grease would also be useful to have if coupled with something like a CIM cooler.

12vdc power supplies could be great for robot test benches (so that you wouldn't need a battery), but would likely require some sort of specialized adapter to functional for FRC uses.


On an unrelated note, I'm disappointed you guys don't seem to carry HAF Mid-Cases anymore, I used one for my PC build a few years back and absolutely love it. I tried to find one for a different build more recently and couldn't find them anywhere. =/

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

To build on what a few people have said here, a prebuilt Operator Interface would be great. A variety of switches (SPDT, DPDT, Rocker) potentiometers and a few gauges would be very useful for a variety of mechanisms. Teams have had the ability to build out Laundpad or Cypress Board based controls for years but only a handful of teams actually do that.

Documentation is what would really sell the device.

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

I will look into the 12v dc power supply but I don't think we have those.

Speaking of test benches...

We had a mix-up at the factory and our logo was printed at a slight angel. Everything else is in perfect working condition. They retail for $59.99 but seeing as they are just collecting dust and we really like robots I just added them to the robot section on our store for $20.

Also, if your team gets one, send us a picture of how you used/modded it for your team. If we like it, we will send you something cool!

http://www.cmstore-usa.com/first
Coupon Code: CMROBOT

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

The suggestion was more along the lines of taking a typical PC power supply (which generally output 3.3V, 5V, 12V and -12V DC) and having teams adapt them for FRC testing purposes. Not sure if this is practical or not for the loads that would be required, but it would be an effective way to allow teams to test electronics if it worked. Other, standard AC-DC power supplies for such applications are prohibitively expensive.

I wonder if some sort of mounting board for electronics would be up your alley? This would help out many teams immensely throughout the entire build season, it also would kind of go with what I know cooler master trades. (Computer towers)

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

The highest flowrate 40 and 60mm flans you have would be killer useful as cooling devices on the robot.

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

Thanks for doing this! I looked into buying one, but unfortunately the code wasn't working. I don't know if you could check on this, but I'd love to get one to make a programming testbed for my team.

As far as things to add to the kit of parts: I agree with the guys before me. There is a need for something to cool motors between matches. Along with that if you have a keypad that we could use for drivers to have a few mechanical switches to play with, that'd be cool.

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

Fixed it! Thanks for letting us know. Please send a picture when you got it set up, we love to see how the teams use our gear.

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

Yup, if a keypad (not a whole keyboard) with programmable mechanical switches could be added, that would be real beneficial. There are a lot of functions to remember, and as the driver of a team with only one driver, it would be really, really beneficial to just slam a button and activate custom macros.

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

FIRST approved CIM water cooler. That is all.

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

CoolerMaster clearly has the ability to design and mass manufacture sheet metal components designed to house fairly sensitive electronic components. I would be interested to see what could be done with those resources. A standard board for mounting electrical components would be an obvious start, it would go a long way to making rookie electrical systems more stable and could end up being a fantastic teaching tool, giving new teams a physical example of effective layout and wire routing practices.

Another interesting product might be a driver station sized case with designed in battery power, a hybrid between a laptop and desktop. It would give teams more flexibility and computing customization options for their driver stations.

A small sheet metal assembly that provides shock mounting for the roborio and radio would be pretty neat.

Sheet metal fan ducts and higher powered fans (or fans designed to be powered by a 775pro) would help teams explore more inflatable mechanisms.

An improved adjustable camera mounting system for the Microsoft lifecam.

I'll post more things as I stare at our robot and dream.

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

Someone did this in South Africa with our switch tester. They have step by step directions and everything. If anyone has a team that is willing to tackle this project and do a build log with pics, and integrate it into the driver station, send me a pm so we can talk.

https://youtu.be/GGB6EvkvXwc

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

Brandon, two more things that I can think of including are a notebook fan cooler (although most teams can just custom mount a fan to the driver station).
And also if you guys have any rgb lighting strips. A lot of teams would put them on their bots.

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

Or they can use one of our MANY laptop coolers and integrate it into the drive station ;)


Also, here is another resource for those of you asking about a small keyboard to do stuff with http://imgur.com/a/eDI7W

Re: Help us fill the gaps in the "Kit Of Parts"
 

Nice! Thanks for this, If you guys do include a switch tester in the KOP I'm sure many teams will do this. I however, will probably go ahead and do this project just to see how it will be to use in a actual driving scenario.

Oh and obviously people will want you to place mechanical keyboards in KOPs too (I want you to do that too), but in 99 percent of cases it will probably just get taken over by a team member (it would be me in my teams case) :D :P