Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1612413)

Here's a crazy idea.

Why not, prior to Kickoff, release a "Cut List"? Doesn't have to be final size, but I could see something like this:

...

Still doesn't solve the nuisance of "hey, who gave us bad team-build materials" but should get teams to that point faster.

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1612413)

Here's a REALLY GOOD idea.

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1612413)

Here's a crazy idea.

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod (Post 1612423)

I seem to remember a year that released the team version of the field materials list early.

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1612413)

Here's a crazy idea.

Why not, prior to Kickoff, release a "Cut List"? Doesn't have to be final size, but I could see something like this:

Element 1 (<=1):

• 5" x 5" wood beam, 3' long, QTY 1
• 3/4" plywood, 3' long by 1.5' wide, QTY 1

Element 2 (<=1):

• 3/4" plywood, 3' long by 1.5' wide, QTY 1
• 3' long 1.5" x 1.5" wood beam, QTY 2

Element 3 (<=5):
(list of parts for defense base)

[remaining elements of field]

You get the idea. Doesn't have to be final size, or have any funny angles included, but should be, if cut, a "kit" that will allow teams to take an educated guess as to what they'll want to build, and the approximate size. For example, if I saw something saying "<=5", I'd take a guess and say "I think I need to build a couple of these, let me look at the list for that". And for stuff with a "common" piece, I'd probably cut a bunch of those pieces.

Then, when Kickoff comes out, all FIRST has to do is include one extra list with the Manual:
Element 1 = Rock Wall, pg X
Element 2 = Rough Terrain, pg Y
Element 3 = Defense Base, pg Z
[...]
Then everybody can get their pre-cut "kits" and assemble.

Still doesn't solve the nuisance of "hey, who gave us bad team-build materials" but should get teams to that point faster.

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1612413)

Here's a crazy idea.

Why not, prior to Kickoff, release a "Cut List"?

Originally Posted by dtengineering (Post 1612417)

BRILLIANT! Yes! This would be AWESOME!

It could be released in December, and would be WAY more entertaining than a game hint as people try to figure out the different ways that pieces could be assembled.

It would also require that FIRST invest a bit more time in the team drawings... which, from the sound of it, is part of the problem with them now.

Jason

Originally Posted by 346CADmen (Post 1612490)

Perhaps those that host might be inclined to allow teams attending to take some of those elements with them after kickoff? then some other teams would have "not much of an advantage". Just a thought.

Originally Posted by sanddrag (Post 1612317)

I would like for the drawings to include a simple and easy-to-read bill of materials for lumber and whatnot, so I can just go to the lumber yard and buy it, without having to add it all up from eleventeen different drawing sheets.

Originally Posted by rsisk (Post 1612498)

This could be done today by any of the teams that build for a kickoff creating a BOM and cut list and posting it here at kickoff.

I'll try to be organized this year and do that.

Originally Posted by Ari423 (Post 1612509)

Someone said above somewhere that everyone who works on building the field before the season needs to sign a NDA that they won't tell what the field elements are before kickoff. Wouldn't publicizing the cut list without consent from FIRST be a breach of the NDA?