Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Now that we are done with the bulild season I would like to put forth some information about when you get to your regional(s) and need your robot inspected.

1) Have your BOM (Bill of Material) ready in a hard copy format. There is no guarantee that someone will be able to print one for you from your jump drive.

2) Leave the bumpers off when you get your robot sized. It's a real mess when you have a team removing their bumpers, in the inspection area, and other teams are trying to get their robot inspected. Some regionals don't have allot of room for this (ie BMR)

3) Please have only two students interact with the inspectors. It's alright if the team wants to watch, but please do it from a short distance away. It's hard for an inspector to ask questions, about the robot, and four people answer.

4) Make sure there are NO sharp corners, protruding screws etc on your robot. I don't like to see blood, especially my own :ahh:

5) Don't wait until the last minute to get your robot inspected.

The inspectors are here to help you enjoy your FIRST experience and we are not out to pick on you.

If any other inspectors would like to add to this list. Feel free to comment.

Thanks

Your BMR Inspector

ps I can't be bought, but I can be rented

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

A sidenote to #2 above, please also remove the trailer hitch, you won't fit in the box with it on the robot.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Pre-inspect your machine:
http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...%20Rev%20C.pdf

Do a dry run while waiting for the real inspection.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Great tips. I thought I'd add a few:

6) Please run through the wiring diagram and make sure all your wire sizes are right.

7) Make sure that your gaming adapter is running to the right location on your power distribution block and not through a WAGO.

8) Make sure your wire connections are taped up such that there are no stray wires visible.

9) Make sure you are following the team number/lettering rules. They are always overlooked.

10) Everyone out of the pit. This is kind of a re-emphasis of #3. I hate having an entire team standing around in a 10'x10' pit while I try to look at their robot. Please designate 2 students and 1 mentor for inspection. It makes things so much easier.

11) Please bring documentation for any parts you are unsure about having (or that you think the inspectors will ask about). For instance, any servo motors that are not Hitec will require documentation with performance specs. As will any pneumatic cylinders that are not Bimba.

12) Make sure your cRIO and camera are isolated from your chassis. The camera will be the cause for the smoke on the field. The cRIO will be the cause of the tears in the pits.

13) Bring along a copy of the updated game manual (at least parts 3,4,6,7,8,9). Also make sure to bring copies of the team updates. If you have a Q&A answer as support for the legality of a robot component, PRINT IT OUT.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Especially the part about contrasting color. Note: black on clear is a very good way to hide your numbers. Scouts have a hard time seeing that combination; judges, refs, and field crew are closer, but don't like having to work on something that they shouldn't have to.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

4 things that I always tell my students to have with them before they inspect.

1. Bill of materials
2. Drivers station
3. A File
4. A since of houmor

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

(14) Documentation for any compliance testing you did such as coefficient of friction for a sensor wheel or safety testing on a propeller system. Remember, it is your responsibility to prove to the inspector that everything is OK.

(15) A laptop loaded with your development system and your robot's software. If you must run the diagnostic window software to prove the version of software loaded on your robot, you may need to reload your application software.

(16) A multimeter to demonstrate that your frame is not grounded.

(17) A really big smile.

Mike

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I'm going to repost what I said last year on this topic:For this year, I want to add extra emphasis on #4. In previous years, (disclaimer: this is based on my personal experience from 4 yrs of being a student going through the robot with the inspector, YMMV) inspectors are a mixed bag. Inspectors are intelligent and helpful, but knowledge of the rules is highly varied. On occasion, you'll get an inspector like Al who can detect electrical problems from 20 paces with his back turned, and on other occasions you'll get an inspector who barely understands the basics. I have seen teams passed with blatant rule violations and seen changes required to perfectly legal robots. With the difficulty interpreting stuff like the bumper requirements this year, you absolutely must know the rules well, and have a rulebook on hand, even if your robot does not have any unusual features. If something comes up, do not be afraid to disagree with your inspector, but be nice about it and support your argument with facts; otherwise, you are just whining.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I read that the camera case is grounded, so it has to be isolated. Does mounting it on the servo's of the pan and tilt assembly take care of that? Or should the pan and tilt assembly be isolated from the chassis too?
Brian

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

The robot inspectors are here to help you. A lot of us are team engineers as well as inspectors so they know what you have gone through to get to the regional. You can ask them for advice on things as well, especially early on Thursday.

So if you’re over size or over weight they can show you how they solved those problems in the past.

-Jim

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

There's a decent chance that the pan/tilt assembly is electrically connected to the camera's power return. Beep it out with an ohmmeter.

Russ

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

[quote=AndyB;823980]
7) Make sure that your gaming adapter is running to the right location on your power distribution block and not through a WAGO.
QUOTE]

I assume you mean the WAGO connectors that are permanently mounted to the board. The gaming adapter does run through a WAGO connector (734-102) that is then plugged into the Power Distribution Board into the 12V connection next to the 12V LED. I just wanted to clear up any confusion.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Just a few words of advice for all teams in which I have seen personally & cringed at.
They are not official rules (that I know of) but, rather more common sense things to be aware of.

~Do not fool around at any time over the course of the weekend with the sizing box, or the scale.
These are tools that FIRST uses to make sure you are in compliance & can compete fairly with everyone else.

~Do not do stupid things like stand on the scale to weigh yourself, or jump in the sizing box for a picture unless you ask someone in charge of that area. If they say it's ok, at least you have deniability if something breaks.
The odds are though, that an inspector who does not want to have to deal with the hassle of a broken scale will NOT let you use it for yourself or let you play around in the sizing box.

I've seen regionals where the inspection process is in a back room or so far off to the side that these are usually non-issues.

I've also seen regionals where the scale was right next to a walk way & when that walkway was crowded many people just walked right over the scale. :( :ahh:
That's not cool.

Please do not do these things.
Treat these tools that FIRST uses as you would your own robot, or team tools, or better yet your own tools & be very respectful of them.

$0.02

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Addressing lukevanoort's concern: this year's robot inspectors are certified: they must pass an on-line test to become an official inspector. You should not encounter any "clueless" inspectors this year.

A big incentive for getting through inspection early on Thursday is the "fast lane" for practice matches. Robots that have completed inspection (i.e. passed and have the signed inspection sticker on the robot) may be allowed to fill in for no-show robots in practice matches. Robots that have not passed full inspection can participate in their scheduled practice matches after completing a brief safety inspection.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

How long have inspector's been certified? (i.e. in which year did this practice start?) Is it a new thing?

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

This may have been in place for lead inspector's for some time (Al?). This year I was sent an e-mail notification from the FIRST Volunteer Resources Coordinator that I needed to complete a certification test. I assure you that robot inspectors will need to be quite familiar with Section 8 of the Game Manual to get a passing score.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

iirc there was such a test last year, but it might have been only for the refs.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

We started using an inspector quiz in 2007 but it hasn't been enforced until this year. Referee cert started being enforced last year (if memory serves).

For anyone taking the inspector quiz - don't fret. It's an "open book exam" and you've got 2 minutes per question with 15 questions. The primary goal is to ensure that you've read Section 8. If you've done a pre-read and are familiar with the organization of Section 8, you should be able to easily pass.

Russ

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Even if it passes while stationary, it may connect when the robot accelerates. Be careful.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I am now certified, or is that certifiable? :ahh:
I aced the test so anyone should be able to pass it.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I am tested (testy?) all the time. First is trying hard to insure that all inspections are uniform across the world. Russ Beavis has been devoting most (or all) of his time to keeping us up to date and being the go between with First. First is putting a lot of energy into this endeavor to help make your season better. Our big test is next weekend. Wish us luck.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

You are now, officially, a Certified Lunacy Inspector. White coats for everyone!

Russ

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I missed only question #12, I saw it and chuckled thinking it was a trick question, when did they change that one!

-Jim

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I believe that test.com randomly reorders the questions. What was #12 for you?

Russ

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

The Duct Tape one. Which was good for me to miss that question or I would have asked teams to remove it.

-Jim

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I'm officially a Certified Lunatic. I'll have my Straitjacket handy.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I cant wait to see how it will turn out this year with the new inspecters :cool:

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

The duct tape question has already tripped up a few inspectors. Very interesting...

I don't want to give away the ending for those who have not yet taken the test (although a quick search on the FIRST Q&A will provide the answer).

Russ

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I'm really certifiable, since I earned a completely different cert in Manchester a couple of weeks ago. I got my inspector's certification completed earlier this week.

I'll be inspecting in San Diego, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

You guys have it easy - the referee cert is 20 questions with 1.5 minutes per question!

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

That really worries me. It may be only one rule, and, hopefully, a relatively inconsequential one, but it implies that potential inspectors are not actually reading the manual (not carefully anyway), and just going off of past experience.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

It is worrisome, but put yourself in their shoes. They have a document that only lists the rules for this year. They don't have a document that lists the rules that aren't for this year. It is easier to add knowledge - a single line of text can do that. It is harder to subtract - you have to read the entire thing and not find it, you can not simply point to a specific line.

Fortunately, we have quizzes to help subtract.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

A point to consider is that many of your inspectors have been involved in first far longer than you have, and the rules over the years have changed, however from year to year the changes are usually very small, and some have been long standing rules, such as the tape rule that has been in the manual since 2000 (when I started) and it was taken to be a given. Usually it is these rules that stand out, the changed rules that we must really study, and as said before, subtract from our mental list. Think of it this way, the speed limit near your home has probably been the same your whole life, if it were to change and you saw the sign about the change you would obey it, however if you 2 days later were just running down the street to a friends house it would be second nature for you to go the old speed limit, until you trained yourself not to. Think of the problem you sometimes have in math when you are subtracting a negative number and end up actually subtracting, and not adding, its a small mistake that is very common.

P.S. if you have something mounted or secured with duct tape, don't you think you could have done done it a little "better" ?:cool:

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

To answer your P.S. justin, that entirely depends on what the object being secured is, the method of taping, and even the type of tape used. Some objects could be better or more easily secured with duct tape than another method due to odd shapes requiring heavy adaptive mounting rigs or what have you, where duct tape might be acceptably secure, and substantially lighter.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

In previous years, tape was excluded from use as a fastener and Inspectors and significant others were under the belief that Duct Tape in particular was not to appear on robots. Dave Lavery pointed out last year, that no rule existed that prevented the use of duct tape, it was a myth. That being said, the appropriate use of any fastener is a concern for inspectors. Choose wisely!

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I am not sure that is correct, Al. From the 2008 Competition Manual, "The Robot-REV G":
That seems pretty cut-and-dry, and not mythical.

This year, on the other hand, that rule does not exist.

-Nate

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Nate,
I was specifically relating to duct tape. We had for years prevented teams from using duct tape in any manner thinking it was an unspoken rule from Dean and Woodie. Dave pointed out our error last year.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

From the 2004 inspection list:

9 No tape used as a fastener. No Duct Tape. 5.2.5-R14

And from the robot rules:
<R14> Electrical tape may only be used as an electrical insulator. Velcro tape or double-sided sticky foam may
be used for attaching components to the robot. Adhesive-backed cable mounts may be used. Small
amounts of reflective tape may be used for counting wheel revolutions. Adhesive backed labels may be
used for labeling purposes. <<<No other adhesive backed tapes are allowed.>>>


Eugene

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Took the inspector test. Took me about 5 minutes, got 100%. Only one I had to really think about was the maximum pneumatic cylinder size.

Certify me!

Wetzel

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I just thought of another point in inspection.
Just because you bot passed inspection at one regional doesn't always mean it's legal at the next. The other inspector may have missed something that the next inspector doesn't.
So don't tell the inspector "It can't be wrong, it passed at XXXX Regional."

Thanks you and have a great regional :)

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Fictional or real, were bit by the "no duct tape" rule last year. Having read the rule stating that we assumed that we could seal a duct (our bot used a vacuum as a ball manipulator) with aluminum duct tape as long as we didn't use it to attach two or more parts together. Our inspector made us poke holes in the tape so it would leak, then we used some putty (strip caulk) to seal it back up. It seemed silly, but I guess rules are rules...

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

What Al said !!

Adhesive fasteners and tape are being allowed this year. IF everyone uses these materials correctly then it could be assumed that they will likely be used in the future. IF people get silly and stupid and negatively impact this year then it is likely the tape rule return and we will all be the worse off for it.

I like the rule as it currently stands. There is something on our bot that simply could not be done better than with a 3" wide piece of vinyl tape.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I don't know. My father the retired electrical engineer said that he doesn't think he was ever involved in a rocket or missile launch in which there wasn't "ordnance tape" somewhere in the machine.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I build spacecraft for a living, and every one that I've seen has lots of mylar and kapton tape on it, generally used for holding thermal insulation. It's the best solution for that application that's been found so far. Velcro and sewing are also used.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I would say that if you have used duct tape or any kind of tape for that matter on your robot this year. It may be a good idea to bring a printed copy of this Q and A answer: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=11992 with you to your regionals.
Just one more piece of proof that there is no rule against tapes this year, if you have trouble.

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

Oh I agree, tape is the best fastener for some applications, such as the insulation, and actual duct work listed, or the carpet to the event site floor. I was really referring to something like 2 lengths of square tubing that are secured with nearly an entire roll of tape. Red green Show fans out there know what I mean.:D

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

I wonder if a team could get away with making most of the robot out of duct tape. You would not be using it to connect two or more parts of the robot since those parts could be made out of a continuous peice of tape.

Note: I would not recommend doing this

Re: Musings from a FIRST Inspector for 2009
 

So...How did inspections go? Was there a often repeated problem? Everyone behave?