Funny that everyone's talking about the diamond plate. We had diamond plate on the sides, although I don't think it affected the bridge at all. We did have a bunch of the stuff left over and thought that the robot would look really nice if it were made out of it. I think it does, but I also think it was more work than it was good for. Diamond plate is not an easy material to work with when it comes to shaping, bending, cutting, etc.

~Tom~

For a pic of the diamond plating, click on my picture and look at the shiny thing holding the large ball.

i know there was a ramp outside of curie at nats. just randomly there, but we had some fun with it.

Our team built a full size field, full size goals and ramp (steel plate instead of diamond plate). All were to specifications.
Our practice field was located 5 miles from the school. Advanced Engineering loaned us the use of there new warehouse. We got the carpeting from an old school that was being destroyed. It was hard to do a full practice without a small convoy.
It was great when we had both of our robots (primary and back-up) on the practice field :)

Playing field
 

The Ford teams all work together at the same place, and we have a complete field, made to specs.
BTW, if any teams would like to practice on our playing field next season, you are welcome to come over and use it. If any of our robots are done, we'll even spar with you! (contact skrussel@umich.edu)

We had just about everything. Full size playing field, goals, and stretcher. We were lucky, but after it was built, there was really no standing room, so on media day it was VERY cramped. I hope we're as lucky next year. We also used people for dead weight for the stretcher. We even had a 200lbs person riding the stretcher around the pit at Nats to try to advertise, but people didn't really pay much attention to the stretcher even though it would have got lots of extra points in the finals.

Team HYPER had a full field, built to FIRST's specs. It went on to be used for the "mini-meet" before our robots were to be shipped.

i remember that mini-meet. i sorta had the tip of my finger ripped up there

Yes, but I don't know where to find the clip.

That clip would be here:

http://24.13.231.10/Bobcats/promocd/...sLargeBall.avi

Tom

But the trade-off with the stretcher was time, and no one wanted to waste the time for the stretcher, for there was no guarantee that it would get over on the first try.

I remember a match where we had 260lbs of robot on our weakest point during the nats...the pit crew cringed, but were overjoyed when they found out that our ramp held up perfectly (the lower section)...but it wasted time because our motors couldn't drive the wheels as fast with three times our weight on them.

Team-45
 

We (the TechnoKats) are one of the teams out there that builds an entire field.....although i hope FIRST goes with a different shapped field next year since the our field is pretty messed up since we never put it back together after IRI...:)

Very much true, some teams had weak drive systems and were unable to successfully pull the stretcher over. But our robot had done it successfully many times. I do understand, it is taking a big chance and its not really worth it, but its really worth it when scores are getting close and you know that a team can do it successufully.