Teams that build 2 robots
 

TEAMS THAT BUILD 2 ROBOTS WHERE DO YOU GET ALL THE EXTRA PARTS TO BUILD ONE

- TAKE OFF RELAYS,SPEED CONTRLERS,ETC. OF OLD BOTS?

- ORDER THEM FROM FIRST?

- OBTAIN THEM FROM OTHER TEAMS?

- GO TO THE FIRST ROBOT JUNKYARD?


IF YOUR TEAM DOES BUILD 2 ROBOTS CAN YOU SHARE HOW YOU GO ABOUT DOING IT!

THANKS.

There are teams that build multiple robots? Hmmm....how does that work?

I wish we had the money for something like that!

Last year, the bobcats had two robots.... we built spare parts when we were building hte actual robot. I.E. if we were building hte motor mount, we machined 2 or 3 instead of just one. As for the electronics, we did quite a bit of stealing off of other machines, and we may have ordered a few more things from IFI.

our 80/20 (www.8020.net) frame also made this a lot easier, we were able to assemble our entire frame in a little under 2 hours.

Tom

Our team is planning to do this... using the IPS extrusion should make making a second frame a breeze. We will, of course, have to buy extra motors. We're not decided as of yet if we will rip electronics off of an old robot, or buy new parts. Since we are using most of the motors in the kit, I'd wager we will do both! I'll post back on CD if and when we get this to happen. 8)

RIGHT NOW we're still a number of hubless sprockets short of ONE robot! :(

We also make a second robot. I think it is a good idea because it allows the drivers to practice between the time we finish up until the competitions themselves. It also helps train the pit crew as the second invariably malfunctions more than the one shipped off the the competitions.
We do have to buy all the extra motors/everything else necessary, but it is well worth it if you are able to.

Last year we built a second robot and we plan on doing it again this year. As a rookie team, last year, we had to buy everything that was on the primary robot. This included the robot controller, compressor and motors. To name a few. Gets expensive fast. We used 1" aluminum tubing for the frame. It took time to build but we realy saved alot of weight over 80/20.
This really helped us last year. We developed an auto balance using the back-up bot, tweaked the program and then downloaded it to the primary bot at a regional. It worked first time out.
This year we are building two of everything instead of building from scratch after the primary bot is done :)

Wayne Doenges

Team 702 is also building a second bot for practice. We are just going to take parts off last years robot and buy other parts. This will be a huge help. Our sponsor has agreed to pay for our seconde robot so that helps out alot.

Obvious Benefits
 

With people not able to keep their robots between events having another bot to try stuff out on would be a great help.

We don't have the time or the money to build a second robot. We would like to be able to, but it just isn't possible for our team.

Within three weeks TJ2 HAS BUILT 2 robots that are totally different. The only reason why people are able to build multiple robots is the amount of resources they have and manpower. If the money isn't there then a second robot is out of the question.

But that makes me begin to wonder....

Is that legal? And I suppose it is. Hmmm. It really shows how the advantage of money really makes it hard for other teams. Oh well.

teams that build 2 robots...

your team has too much money! GIVE TO US SO WE CAN ATTEND NANTS!!!

I am reminded of the first year that team 254, The Cheesy Poofs (Broadway High School in San Jose) entered the competition. It never occured to them to make anything other than two robots. They bought two kits, entered twice and built two machines.

That year their two robots came in first and second at the west coast regionals, and they both made it to the final 16 at nationals.

All this done by a team with about 12 students, one very energetic teacher, one insane engineer/mentor, and very little money.

I wish we were all that good!

-dave

--------------------------------------------

- one of the ones your mother warned you about

Well, I'm not sure you mean "very little money", because their two entry fees alone are about our entire budget.

I guess it is all relative....and I have nothing against that. Heck, we want to be in that position in a year or so....all we have to do is build up a reputation of doing good work and getting benefits from what we are able to do. (build it, and they shall come..."George Washington's" that is)

We are thrilled with the budget and support we have this year. We are "in the game" and that is a first huge step.

-Quentin :D

2 Robots
 

Each year we ponder building 2 robots and each year, we back out. Not this year! We are building 2 robots. Driver skill is the difference whan it comes to the competitions. We have 5 weeks from our ship date to our first regional. Having a second robot will be a huge help.

How we do it:

(1) Each student must fundraise $1,000 in order to be part of the travel team. We are in a very industrial area and the students find a lot of Corporate sponsors.

(2) We design ALL our parts in CAD before we make one part (takes a lot of discipline). So it is easy to have multiple parts made.

(3) Find machine shops that will donate their machining. It has never been a problem for us. We just ask, show them our prints, and they are willing to help.

(4) We use everything from last year that we can (we had to buy the Chiaphuas)

One note about the Cheesy Poofs: They have never lost a Regional. Their drivers have been among the best each and every year. Now I know why (2 robots).

Mr. Copioli,
In fairness to the Cheesy Poofs, I wanted to clarify a few things with regards to their team. I've competed against the Poofs for a few years, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that last year (2001) was the first year that the Cheesy Poofs ever made a second robot for practice purposes.

In 1999, their rookie season, another local continuation school (Blackford HS) couldn't sustain a team almost immediately after the kickoff. So the Cheesy Poofs were asked to mentor the Blackford team. The Poofs had no resources/time/money/experience, so all they could do for Blackford was duplicate their own robot and hope for the best. The Poofs never used that robot to practice after shipping, since it was Blackford's robot and was shipped at the deadline. Btw, as for them having good drivers... they were natural drivers, they didn't have much time to practice in 1999 since they were in the pits all of the Thursday and part of the Friday of the event fixing their own robot.

In 2000 they didn't have a practice robot either.

Yes, the Poofs have won every Regional they've attended, but I'd attribute that result to having a coach who is a great strategist, two creative and enthusiastic engineers, and a well-knit group of hard working kids. As a member of a team who has been knocked out of a Regional by the Poofs, I just wanted to try to set this straight. I just didn't want you to think a team's (especially one with such great character as the Poofs) accomplishments were due to extra robots or lots of money, which they didn't have their first two years. They actually showed teams like ours that any team can win, regardless of resources, size, or money.

that's my $0.03

-Bill

Wrong Impression
 

Bill,

I think I may have given you the wrong impression. I am a very big fan of the Cheesy Poofs (Besides their cool name .. go Cartman!).

In no way was my post meant to be at all negative to the Cheesy Poofs. I applaud Jason (Morella, right?), because he is a very good strategist. He has shown, that if you get the right strategy, you will always be in a position to win.

I just wanted to clear up any confusion I may have caused.

BTW, you can call me Paul.

-Paul

The secret is out
 

I guess our secret is out.
We dont just win because we get a little practice, though. We work hard, as a team. THe students, engineers, mentors, and everyone else all work together, combining our different skills and ideas.
Thanks for all the complements!:D
Thanks, Bill, for defending Team 254.

Paul,
Thanks for the clarification... I hope I didn't sound like a jerk in my post.. I wrote it while I was half asleep. Paul, best of luck to you and your team this year.

Matt,
No prob... I just thought I should shed a little light on your team's situation. Good luck in Cleveland (represent all of us Cali teams with pride :)), and we'll see you guys here in SJ!

Thanks and more....
 

Dave, Bill, and Paul,

Thank you for the very kind words, they are very much appreciated. I'm sure the team is happy to get some recognition, especially from other teams. As much as I hate to rain on this Cheesy Poofs lovefest, let me clarify a couple of facts: (I haven't posted in some time, so I'm making up for it here - sorry about the length).

Thanks for the comments about strategy, but I can't take credit for what is truly a team effort. In my opinion, strategy is really a process involving much more than just the game. While I do enjoy the challenge of helping figure out strategy (after all, as an English teacher, I had to bring something to the table - and being a sports nut seemed to be about all I could offer), Steve Kyramarios is just as good, if not better, at figuring out the game and a match. (which is good, as he is now the coach at the competitions). The entire 254 team decides & votes on the "robot" strategy/design, which is where the strategy really starts. The scouting subteam is crucial and provides the coaches and drivers with the information to figure out a strategy for each match. Before & during each match the student drivers and the coaches plan & decide the match strategy.

In terms of the streak of success at the regionals & nationals the last 3 years, it's important to realize a few things.

** While the Cheesy Poofs were certainly "one of" the teams deserving to win each of those regionals, they were not the only one. We have beaten better robots then ours, and have been beaten by worse robots - as I'm sure everyone has. Sooo many things have to happen to win an event, some of which you can't control: you need a good design, good strategy, good driving, good alliance partner, consistant/robust/reliable robots, good communication & teamwork, and good luck. In three years, 8 events, and about 50 playoff matches - only twice has our robot or our partners malfunctioned in the playoffs - that is partly luck, no doubt about it. Plus we have had a great group of alliance partners at every event.

** About the "never lost a regional" stuff. We could all name more than 10 teams who have had great robots each of the past three years but just didn't have things go their way in the playoffs - 254 has just had a good run. 5 out of 5 (6 if you count the National Division) is a great run, no doubt - but it will come to an end. After all, the little I learned in "Probability & Statistics", plus the law of averages, aren't really in the Cheesy Poofs corner this year :) - and I know the team understands that. Team 254 has had the same goal every year (since 99 that is) - to make the playoffs and let the chips fall where they may, so to speak. Once the playoffs, or especially finals, come around - all the teams are deserving and capable of winning. I was sure the Cheesy Poofs regional streak would end last year, and have no doubt it will end this year. If they are lucky enough to accomplish their goal of making the playoffs, I hope they will realize that they were very successful and are proud.

** About the 2nd robot issue. Last year was the first time 254 was able to build a practice robot. Does it help, certainly. Can teams do well, be competitive, and win without one - of course, most do. In 99 & 2000, the Cheesy Poofs had no pracitce robot and didn't even have working robots until the Friday of the 1st regional. Bill explained the special circumstances leading to the 2 robot story of 99 well, but let me add this. We HATED having two robots in the same event. Was way too stressful, no time between matches, and really wasn't fun. The ONLY positive 254 felt going into the 1999 Regional was that one of the robots couldn't come in last place. :) To this day the engineers hold agreeing to mentor/take on a 2nd team (while we were rookies ourselves) against me and still won't have anything to do with a 2nd robot - they don't want one and 254 only had one last year because the students canabalized the 2000 robot and did it themselves. Actually - 254 had no aspirations or hopes of even making the playoffs in 1999, they were just happy to see the robots move. It really was a story book year - smallest team in the country that year (7 students - all kicked out of other high schools - and 3 adults), no budget, no sleep, no tools (the kids cut EVERYTHING with a hacksaw in my English classroom), they got to compete against the top schools/teams in California - and they held their own. It was truly a life changing experience for our students.

** Last year was the first time 254 felt somewhat organized and confident in their design. And they had a great year - especially getting to be in alliances with some of the top teams in the country like Kingman, the Beachbots, Wildstang, Killer Bees, etc... It was a great experience and a thrill to go up against Beatty in the National Final - and the result was as it should have been. A few other teams were amazing, and close, but Beatty had the best bot in the country last year.

** Even with "the streak", 254 still looks up to a number of other programs/teams in the country and realizes there is still a lot they can do to improve. A good robot is only a part of the FIRST experience - there is much more to having a great program. Teams like 22, 45, 47, 64, 65, 67, 111, 192 and many others have figured this out, do it well, and set a good example for others to strive for.

OK, that's it. I've procrastinated long enough. I hope everyone is doing well and keeping their sanity. Three weeks down and three to go till shipping. I can't wait to get to the competitions and see what everyone has built. Have a great week four!

JM

Two robots
 

From what I have seen in our storage area, we (team 87) have enough stuff to build two or three robots with different objectives for each one. This is also along with what we need for this year! If only we had the time...

Re: Teams that build 2 robots
 

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...3&page=3&pp=15

theirs a poll and a lot of discusion on the matter..

team 1596 built our robot .. but it looked a little like a rookie bot (half way thru ish) .. so we took off the first legal parts.. and built a second robot (competition).. and once we knew we had enuf time we also worked on our first robot and fisnihed off the small things..(doing both at once, so all our members were very busy :D) and we finished the practice bot under 1week after ship date.... this way our build team had a lot of practice and it turned out a lot better..and not to mention the practice driving and troubleshooting.. we realized that a corner on our boom gets tetras stuck.. so at competition we filled off the edge.. (i should post a picture of our practice bot.. ahaha).. .

to get the parts you say? ..hmmm.. . www.ifirobotics.com haha.. we spent over a grand there .. . EEK! .. . yea.. and we also had to buy a whole second set of the robot chasis kit.. yea... our team put in hundreds of hours each.. and our mentors / teachers / engineers.. double that .. hahah.. we had some great help, one of our mentors is the machine shop teacher at Soo high in sault michigan, so he was able to quickly show a lot of students how to machine parts etc.. . and our computers in Sault ontario were a lot more effective for our award winning site, and our ... . .. animation .. . hah.a.. yea.. (we are the international team)

.. the only hard parts to find.. . the taigine, and the nippon denso .. ERR!! . we managed to find a half equivalent motor at a junkyard.. . but our boom telescopes slower on our practice bot.. and it can only hold 1 tetra. . instead of 3 . .. not enuf power

for money.. hmm.. .we have AMAZING sponsership by a lot of companies.. we have a WHOLE parent comitee constantly working on that . . . and they are very busy atm, atlanta is only 12 days away.. and we only have 20/25k... woot they just got 5k this week .. . gota work fast!.. we have convergence giving us 10k for 3 years.. so for the next two.. at least we start with some money.. but from what im hearing that its gona get harder each year.. hmm. .. i dont know.. i think we have a little more umph to get sponsering, due to our internationalism.. and to top that off we have had media converage like mad lately! at first it was very difficult.. but once we placed well at GLR.. its been all the time!

also having a second practice bot to do demos to the public *we held a funraiser at the local mall asking for donations, letting kids drive ! <even a couple 6 yos :D <kill switch in hand believe me . .:D... helps a lot ! we got 2 media stations to come, and lots of Pr, and 1.5k donations. .so it works ..

ok.. sorry taht turned into a REALLY long meessage:D

Re: Teams that build 2 robots
 

eejk.. didnlt realize that was and OLD thread.... the 'smiliar' threads thing at the bottom of the page should only show results from this year. . :S. . .hmm. . o well :D.. sorry folks