New FRC Team
 

I am working on creating a FRC team at my school. We want to buy basic parts this year, learn how it all works and them compete next year. The team is expereince with FLL but we have never done FRC. What parts would we need to buy to get are program started? We currently do not have a budget, but we want to keep it fairly inexpensive. Any help one what we need to buy is much appreciated.

Regards,
Chris

Re: New FRC Team
 

I'm not sure if this is possible or not, but you might want to see about getting a kit of parts when the next build season rolls around. What you find in there is basically all you'd theoretically need to build a full scale bot.

Anyone wanna check me on whether or not you can get a KOP without competeing?

Re: New FRC Team
 

First off welcome.

FRC works a little differently then FLL because the parts used every year change. Everyone gets a kit of parts in January which they used to build the robot. I would say your two best options are
1) if you can get enough money for registration/ to compete you should do it this year. FIRST is very friendly to rookie teams and you will find out that even as a rookie team you can still succeed.

2) i would look for an existing team in your area that you could get friendly with. Most teams that are established already have many extra parts and working robots that they may let you borrow

either way you go i would look for another team in your area, go and have a meeting with them because you can learn more about FIRST from people who have done it before then you can just trying to figure it out for your self. FIRST is a big community, always willing to help each other. if you have any more questions please feel free to ask in these forums.

once again welcome.

Re: New FRC Team
 

We were a rookie team last year, and we got the EduBot (or whatever they call it now) kit in the preseason and used it to practice. In terms of programming, the mini controller is very similar to the full controller, so that might be a good way to do it. The other thing I would do is just try to compete at this year's competition. Send letters ot companies and ask about sponsorships. Even if you can't make $6000, you'll have a good start for next year. Rookie season is going to be hard, there's no way around that. We went into it cold last year, and it was very rewarding. Definately do everything you can to start a team, though. I have never been part of anything as rewarding as FIRST. I have met so many people and learned so much, and you will definately benefit from having a team. Just my $0.02, hopefully that helps you a little.

Re: New FRC Team
 

So January is the start of a new season. What do I need to do before then as far as registering and getting the parts. Thanks for all of your help.

-chris

Re: New FRC Team
 

Hi Chris,

Ok, to get going you're going to want to access TIMS, the Team Information Management System. This will get you in as a registered team. Past there what you'll want to do is solicit community support. Any big businesses in the area? Talk to them to see if they're willing to front the money to support your team. You may find the creation of sponsorship levels (pg 1, pg 2) helpful in encouraging sponsorship at higher levels. Explain to them what the program is, what benefits they will recieve from sponsorship and talk about other sponsors of FIRST, see and explorethis link. Also, you'll want to be sure to keep a close eye on deadlines. Past that, feel free to email me with any questions that you may have, I went through this last year and we also started relatively late in the season.

~Beth

Re: New FRC Team
 

This might be helpful in that regard:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/pa...le&paperid=543

Hope you can make it to the metaphorical dance this year!

Re: New FRC Team
 

Just to press the point, if you're intent on starting a team for the 2006 season, you need to find several thousand dollars right now. The $6000 (USD) for the initial regional event (and kit of parts) is due on December 9^th, and you must be registered on TIMS by December 2^nd. (Note that you also have the option of paying via an authorized promissory note payable to FIRST, in the name of your corporate sponsor. The document is still due on the same date, however, with the funds to follow some time thereafter.)

You must work very quickly indeed to secure at least that much funding, to even participate. After that, you'll need a few thousand more dollars in order to cover robot expenses, travel expenses and other miscellaneous costs. I think that with a regional in Richmond, (the VCU Regional, which should have some spaces reserved for rookie teams) you should at least be able to economize with regard to travel.

Re: New FRC Team
 

Your $6000 registration fee includes the kit of parts, which you receive at kickoff, and entry into one regional. On top of the kit which you receive, you will probably need to purchase tools (drills, hacksaws, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.) and find some place to work. Having access to a machine shop is best, but many teams get by with just a drill press and a band saw. Depending on what you want to build, you may also need to purchase metal, fasteners, chains and sprockets, gears, etc.

If students are responsible for arranging their own travel, you can build a robot for as little as $1000 above the registration fee (back in 2002, when registration was $5000, my team had a $6000 budget).

Re: New FRC Team
 

Thank you for that file. And thanks to everyone else for your help.

Re: New FRC Team
 

I'm sorry if I'm a little out of date, but back when we started NASA gave rookie (and I think second year) teams a decent sum of money. Is that still the case, or has FIRST gotten too big/expensive?

Re: New FRC Team
 

Well, the case now is that you have to apply for them and unfortunately it is past the application due date.

Re: New FRC Team
 

The due date was November 8. I missed the date for that by a few days.

Re: New FRC Team
 

Chris,

We all seem to agree that it's getting very late in the pre-season to start getting a team (and funding) together. As an alternative, FIRST has introduced a new competition called VEX, which we consider to be a mini-FIRST robot competition. The VEX kit is sold throught Radio Shack, costs about $400 bucks (including some additional, much needed accessories) and can be assembled using hand tools and the supplied hardware. We were able to have a robot assembled in running within 2 hours of openning the box.

The local competition for you is in Newark DE, and is being hosted January 21st. I believe this is a great way to get introduced to FIRST, without having to shell out the thousands of dollars and hours of build time. This kit, and the competition, will surely get you and your school admins hooked, and next year you will have an easier time raising money.

Here are some links for the VEX competition, the VEX kit, and our white paper on the advantages of using VEX.

FIRST VEX Competition

VEX Kit from Radio Shack

VEX White Paper

Best of luck, feel free to ask more questions!

Bengineer
Team 228

Re: New FRC Team
 

As i work out sponsors and other deals. What can the rest of the be doing as preparation. I am teaching 1 of them to program but am unsure as what the rest of the team should be doing right now.