Originally Posted by 2007 FIRST Manual

3.3.4 NEW: Mandatory Safety Glasses - They aren’t forehead protectors
FIRST requires all teams to bring and supply, for each competition, ANSI-approved safety glasses for its team members, mentors, and guests. Students and adult team members an guests must wear them when:
• Uncrating the robot
• NEW: At all times while in team Pit Stations and everyone in the general Pit as well
• Working on the robot
• When observing any robot building/repair work
• While competing – mentor, human player, 2 operators
Operators, players, and mentors will not be allowed on the competition field without approved safety glasses. Regular glasses do not qualify as safety glasses, and you must use approved safety goggles over them. Goggles are not required over glasses only if the glasses are ANSI-approved with side shields.

Originally Posted by 2007 FIRST Manual

3.3.7 NEW: Robot Carts
To protect team members and mentors from muscle strains and other injuries as they transport the heavy robot from the Pit to the competition area, we recommend that team members and mentors use some type of cart, keeping the following in mind.
• Carts must remain in the team pit area when not in use for robot transportation
• All carts should fit through a standard 30-inch door
• Wheels on the cart must not damage site flooring
• Do not add music to the cart.
Prior to competing, your competition team should practice lifting your robot onto and off your cart. Refer to the “FIRST Robotics Competition Team Safety Manual” for robot lifting techniques. By practicing these safe techniques, your team members will also develop a quick, fluid routine.

Originally Posted by 2007 FIRST Manual

3.8.3 NEW: Pit Closing Etiquette
For many reasons, it is necessary that teams adhere to the Pit closing time each day. Many people working in the Pit are volunteers and deserve to have a set closing time met. Assign team members and mentors to the clean up/organization of your pit station. The mentor in charge of your robot shipment must take care of the shipping process early with a plan in place to have everything packed and out the door by closing time. This means having a crew ready to get your robot crated and labeled for shipment on the last day. When your play in the competition ends, pack your crate; notify the shipping/drayage company that it is available for removal and clean up your area. It is not gracious to the Pit staff or the drayage company to leave these details to the last minute. This advance preparation also applies to teams in the event finals, especially at the Championship. The shipping and exit process for the Championship is huge.

People are tired.
Do your part.

Originally Posted by 2007 FIRST Manual

4.3.1. NEW* Crate Construction Specifications
Build your crate(s) with more than one shipment and season in mind. Remember weight of your materials. For instance, if 3/8” or 1/2” plywood is sturdy enough,
heavier, costlier 3/4” product?
All Crates must:
1) Comply with the “Wood Materials Regulations Across U.S. Borders” the crate ships into the U.S.
2) Loaded crate must weigh 400 pounds or less in order to avoid charges
3) Be sturdily built to prevent damage to your equipment
4) *Use 3/8” or 1/2” plywood
5) *Use 3/8” or 1/2” Oriented Strand Board (OSB), a solid panel quality with no laps, gaps, or voids.
6) *Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is Not recommended for the material makes crate construction too heavy, and MDF can if the correct safety precautions are not taken. MDF contains formaldehyde, which may be released from the material through and cause irritation to the eyes and lungs.
7) *Don’t use particleboard because it collects moisture that adds cause the crate to fall apart. Remember, your crate may be exposed
when loading and unloading trucks.
8) Ensure your crate construction can withstand stacking during
9) "Sit" on 2 pieces of 4" by 4" lumber, spaced at least 28" apart forklift.
10) Have a footprint no greater than 4' by 4' and be no taller than
maximum includes the 4" by 4" lumber mentioned above.

Originally Posted by Section 2 Team Organization

2.5.1 Game Rules Monitor
Responsibilities
Learn Game Rules: Read and understand the rules of the game and communicate them to the team members so they know the ins and outs of the game.
Know Point System: Be sure the team understands the system; implement the best strategy.
Know Penalties: Be sure all mentors and operators know and understand all penalties.
Learn Web System: Check the on-line Manual for rules, changes, and web-based question and answer system.
Monitor Team Updates: Communicate any changes in the updates to the team.

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery (Post 543159)

While music carts may be cool and all, they really don't serve any practical purpose other than being cool, and are kinda distracting in the pit/transit area. Pit+Tools+Distraction=bad

Originally Posted by Joe Matt (Post 543168)

I agree, IN THE PIT. Now, when you're oustide and stuff (like one team did in ATL) and play music, I think that's fine. As they said, no music, not no speakers.

Originally Posted by chris31 (Post 543175)

Agreed. In the pits it would be a distraction but what about outside of the pits? Well it says " • Do not add music to the cart." so what good are speakers without music.

Originally Posted by chris31 (Post 543175)

Agreed. In the pits it would be a distraction but what about outside of the pits? Well it says " • Do not add music to the cart." so what good are speakers without music.

Originally Posted by DeepWater (Post 543182)

It looks like they have cleared up one of the questions that comes up year after year. You do not HAVE to ship the 2 batteries but you MAY if you want to. I suppose you cannot ship more than 2 though?

It also looks like they are still going to get hit with the obligatory "Can we keep the Robot Controller? Is it part of the robot controls?" question. I am pretty sure we couldn't keep is in 2005 and 2006 but I seem to remember we could in 2004. Someone correct me if I am remembering incorrectly. In any case, if we can't keep the RC the what is the point of the statement "This will allow you to continue to work on your programming."?