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-   -   What to do with old robots? (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29006)

Bcahn836 08-06-2004 19:20

What to do with old robots?
 
What does your team do with the old robots? My team has been participating in FIRST for three years now, and we are running out of space in the shop. What does your team do with the old robots?

Beth Sweet 08-06-2004 19:32

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
We have a huge display section at the GM Proving Grounds. Not only do we get to show off, but we get other workers involved and, because our trophies are there too, we remind GM that there is a very good reason to continue the sponsorship...

Joshua May 08-06-2004 19:34

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
Right now we've only got two robots and they sit in the shop. So far, we've used them for displays, training, and referencing. We also used last year's robot to test our field at the beginning of this year.

Lisa Perez 08-06-2004 20:03

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
On 1, we store them in a room with all other random parts that can be used for the next season's robot.

On 573, we take them apart and use the good, unbeaten-to-a-pulp pieces (such as angle aluminum, motor mounts, and PVC tubing) for next year's robot. We do keep the well designed parts of those robots though, parts such as pneumatic powered clamps and ball roller systems, just in case we do not have their designs on CAD and would like to use a similar design later.

Greg Needel 08-06-2004 20:06

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
i work with team 73 who has needless to say a few robots sitting arround.....and that is what they mostly do, sit arround. we have used them in the past for idea building using old concepts...we have also retro-fitted them with the new control system for driver practice and auto programing....besides it is always good to have more bots on the feild when practicing even if they are only just causeing road blocks

Alex Pelan 08-06-2004 20:51

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
We have our now 10 robots sitting in a room somewhere in the school, in various levels of construction. For example, we had to take apart one part a couple years back because we used latex and latex isn't allowed in our school. I really think we ought to do something with them, though.

Madison 08-06-2004 21:05

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
Donate them to science!

I'm in the extremely early stages of trying to develop a program for teams that coordinates FIRST Robotics Competition exhibits at science, history and industry museums throughout the country.

I'll start another thread with more details soon, I think, but it seems like something that has wide appeal and reach, allows teams opportunities for off-season education and projects, and stands a good chance of succeeding because there's very little burden upon the museums to contribute time or resources.

If you're interested in learning more before I finalize the details of what I plan to do with this, my latest zany idea, PM me and I'll fill you a bit more.

Jay H 237 08-06-2004 21:19

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
Our first robot (1999) was donated to the local community college and they "reversed engineered" it. Last I heard it was still there and being used for thier CAD classes. This robot no longer had any controls since we use to have to return them back to FIRST after the last competition. Due to lack of storage space all the other robots were dismantled and destroyed. We saved the controls, motors, pneumatics and such. The ones that had TIG welded frames were cut up and the ones constructed with profile were unbolted. All the aluminum and steel pieces were sold for scrap.

I will say destroying your robots for scrap value isn't a "fundraiser" I'm proud of.

Billfred 08-06-2004 21:27

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
Uhm, ours is still in the crate, untouched since Palmetto.

Hopefully, nobody gets any bright ideas over summer.

Astronouth7303 08-06-2004 21:37

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
We only have 2. This year's we're going to save until we build the other one. Last year's is for tinkering.

My suggestion: Make a drivable cart out of it.

KenWittlief 08-06-2004 21:56

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
Tie a long rope to it and you can use it for a lobster trap

or a boat anchor

next year you will look at last years robot, about 4 weeks after the kickoff, and think, 'what are we going to do with this old thing now?'

theres nothing quite as sad as an old robot that has no purpose anymore :c(

"Its better to burn out
than to rust away!
My my Hey hey!" -Neil Young

someone should bring one of those giant pumpkin-chunker catapults to the nationals, and after the last matches our bots can go out in a 20 second flame of glory

all the way out
to the far side of the parking lot
would save a lot on shipping that way :ahh:

tkwetzel 08-06-2004 22:20

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
Some great ideas indeed:

Quote:

someone should bring one of those giant pumpkin-chunker catapults to the nationals, and after the last matches our bots can go out in a 20 second flame of glory
A few of us on our team were actually planning on building one of them contraptions this summer. Along with a few other fun things to do. If only there wasn't so much value in the robots.

We have a few robots still around for design review and teaching freshman about the systems. But most of the robots have been disassembled for the use of the parts and lack of storage space.

Me really wants to go robo-throwing with a pumpkin-chunker.

scottconnery 08-06-2004 22:29

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
well we have as many old bots as any team out there. Our 92 machine is on display, most of the others are used for parts/ideas on new bots and a few are rolling around to let students practice driving skills. Everyone will actully get a chance to see the 92 in action if they make it to Battle Cry. It's one of the few we still have in one piece.

Bcahn836 09-06-2004 06:01

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
I think one of our mentors is going to take this years robot and use it around the house. He is going to use the plow to shovel snow off his driveway, and use the 7ft arms to take out the trash, and the robot itself is the new head of security. Would you wanna break into a house protected by one mean looking robot????

Mike Ciance 09-06-2004 09:54

Re: What to do with old robots?
 
our 97,98, and 99 robots are no longer together, but from what i'm told they "didn't really need to be" by the ends of the seasons :p

we have 2000, 01, 02, and 03 sitting in a closet in the school (our 04 bot is in Big Mike's trunk). we take them out for demonstrations or just for people to try driving. sometimes we have 2 or 3 robots running at the same time. all of our robots since 2000 are still active every once in a while. we plan on keeping them for as long as they still work.


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