Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

What are these? What do they look like and how does it work? Does anyone have any photos of the bagging day and how you guys handle the robot while in the bag?

I know, curiosity is a dangerous thing but I'm very interested in this. It's the little details that make me happy.
Thanks in advance.

Jane

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

I don't have a picture of the actual bag (we put our robot in the bag on Saturday because the school would be closed this week for mid-winter break) but i can contact members of our team and try to find a picture of it.

Basically it is a huge clear plastic bag, almost like a giant garbage bag. It is a little wider then the 38 by 28 footprint of the robot and extends past the maximum height of the robot by about two feet or so. you place a numbered zip tie on top and have to have a third party sign off on it that it is in the bag.

I will try to get a picture and post one.

-Sam

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

Awesome!

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

Rules about the Michigan Lockup can be found here: http://www.firstinmichigan.org/filemgmt/index.php

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

We were thinking of throwing in some scrap metal,hacksaw,rivet gun and attaching some gloves to the inside of the bag. Sorta like a incubator or a bot in a bubble.:)

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

I wondered about that...

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

I posted pictures and stories on my blog last night.

http://rogeronfirst.blogspot.com/

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

So..why do you guys bag your robots? :confused:

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

This year in Michigan they are running a pilot program in which the events are at a smaller scale (only about 40 or so teams at each regional) and they are all localized events. Teams in Michigan compete at the local regionals to qualify for the state championship event at EMU during week six of the competitions. We do not crate our robots and are required to transport them ourselves. Because our build season ends today just like everyone else's our robot must be placed and sealed in the bag, the same as other teams are doing with there crates.

-Sam

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

Teams in Michigan are part of a beta program FIRST is trying. It's called FIRST in Michigan, and we now have 7 district events and a state championship rather than 3 regional events. Teams get to pick 2 district events to compete in for about the same price as a traditional regional.

To save $$$, Michigan teams transport their own robots and keep they locked in a bag so that we are not working on them when we are not supposed to.

District events are only Friday and Saturday, also to save money for teams needed hotel rooms.

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

sounds like a great idea.. Saves wood also...

The only thing i see with this is the possibility of a team being ungracious and possibly finding a way around the zip tie...

Just a thought...

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

I think that has been a concern on many people's mind with this system, but it is what it is. Its an honor system just like the fix-it windows were.

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

thats true...

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

Also each tie wrap you put on the bag has a distinct serial number. And the numbers must be recorded by a third party individual.

-Sam

Re: Bag, Bagging, In The Bag Terms from Michigan Teams
 

I was wondering if we have a fix-it window for this year's competitions. I've looked through the rules and at a few different websites but I can't find any information on it. If anyone can help me out with this, I would be very grateful. Thanks.