Pre-match Checklist
 

How many teams use a pre-match checklist before each round?

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

We use a checklist, it varies from year to year but, it has the basics on it.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

We put one on the robot this year, too bad it's on the back where you can't see it after setting the robot in place! We'll keep working on it though.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

we use one but its basicly plug this in tightin that, stuff like that

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

If you made a list of Ten Essential Items for robotics competitions, the pre-flight checklist would be in #2 -- right after "wire ties." I don't even want to think of the number of times I've seen a robot die in a match from something that should have been included on a checklist.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

Team 1983 is using a checklist for the first time this year. After many different drafts, we now have a 5-stage checklist outlining activities up to 30 minutes prior to a match. It has also been tested in extremely short turn around situations, and can be effectively completed in approximately 5 minutes. The checklist should be up on our website very soon. (our webmaster is quickly getting sick of my nagging) www.ahsrobotics.us The items include everything from vaccuuming, and tightening wires, to powering up to charge the pneumatics and get the claw and lift set just right.

The checklist has proved extremely helpful this year. We have a pretty complicated robot that needs to be forced into it's starting configuration (pictures available on our website as well). It was key in being consistent and competitive at the competitions this year.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

Team 48 had used one for several year but got away from it because of the reduced time between matches (when FIRST went from 2v2 to 3v3). However, I know it can be a very useful tool, so we implemented one just last week at Buckeye. It runs through checks on a variety of sub-systems, chain tensions, belt tensions, controls, batteries, etc.

Through its use on Saturday, our pit crew caught a broken tread belt that hadn't completely seperated, and we were able to quickly change it before the next match.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

Unfortunately 810 is one of those teams who is known for dying mid-match due to a careless errors. Last year, we missed approx 4-5 rounds because of mistakes. In the past, we have had some less than competent leaders, and have never had a pre-flight check list, but as the new team leader, I want to change that.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

If you're not doing it, you need to be...
and you should do what 1983 is doing and have them for different t-minus intervals.
as has been said, and especially at your first regional, you will make stupid mistakes that will cost you matches (hopefully only practice matches). when it comes time for alliance selections, captains will be looking for robots with reliable performances. obviously this is impossible if you forget to turn your bot on half the time, and leave your pressure vent open the other half.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

We don't have an official list, but I do run through many things myself before the robot goes on the field. In no particular order:

Pneumatics pressurized, robot in home position, batteries plugged in and strapped down, PWMs, relays, IO wires all good, transmissions in correct gear, flag connected, guards on.

This is all stuff I check after the robot leaves the pit for a match. There's a whole other set of checks the pit crew goes through before it leaves.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

Yup, we use one and it has saved us numerous times.

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

We instituted a mental checklist after our first 2 matches (luckily only practice) in St. Louis because we realized we were sending the with a dead main battery, dead backup batteries on the OI, pins that need to be pulled before the match were not pulled, which led to complete disaster our first 2 matches, and than when we fixed the simple problems, are planetary gears decide not to work right and break on us which wasn't fixed until the middle of day 2, and this problem would have been diagnosed if we weren't too busy running around for batteries:ahh: :ahh: :ahh: . In Detroit before each match I spent about 2 minutes checking the robot and our robot went on without a hitch...

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

987 goes through the entire robot after each match. Looking mainly at the electronics (this has been a problem for us in the past) to make sure that no PWM's have wiggled loose, we also tighten everything and do a prematch systems check to make sure the Drive Train is in high gear, the arm and claw are working, battery leads are ziptied together. Last year we had an actual printed check list, but we have mostly senior members in the pit this year so usuallynothing is forgotten.

-Keaton

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

I think I shall go make one..

thanks, Vivek

Re: Pre-match Checklist
 

Team 2207 is using one this year. I have attached the file that we use. It is a basic, tighten bolts, check electrical connections, talk to next alliance, and some more stuff I think.