Ode to a Crate
 

Prior to the 2001 season, after using 2 different crates in previous 4 years, 330 decided it was time to make a crate that could be used for many years. We just started the 11th year with that crate. During that time, it’s traveled to events in 7 states and 2 countries. It’s been dropped, banged, stabbed by a forklift, and tagged by many teams (especially 254 and 980).

That totals over 80,000 miles round trip. How many miles does your crate have?

With bag and tag becoming more prevalent, our crate may never make 100,000 miles.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Our crate has gone 4,451 miles.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Paris Air Show? Can't wait to hear that story

Right now, our crate is hanging out down in San Diego on it's inaugural trip.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Cool!

Our current crate's only been around since 2005 and we haven't clocked near the miles you guys have.
We actually still have our previous crate dating from 2000, but it's used to store a few old robots.

I'll have to add up the mileage though...

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Man our crate has been in existence only since 2008, you guys have like the Godfather of crates.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Our crate this year is new and it's unlikely it will clock even 150 miles. It is being shipped only to WPI, at which point we are bagging for the rest of the season.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Our crate was donated in 1998, used. We keep it because it is simple and reliable.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

We made ours 4 years ago. It's ben re-furbed a few time. This year was no exception. We had to re-build the base.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Any photos of this marvelous crate?

Jane

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

It's such an unsung hero that going back through 5 years worth of photos from multiple people, I could not find any pictures of it.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Ok, that made me LOL.

:)

Some crates are like people - totally unsung but totally deserving of a pat on the back or the board.

Maybe take a photo when you see it again and update this thread. Thanks for looking, Joe.

Signed,
I ♥ crates Jane

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

The thing about Bag and Tag is that we still have the crate.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

ok, what I want to know is why do I have a picture of your crate? (vegas last year)

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

I like the clever blur effect you applied to obscure the robot. Almost unnoticeable. :)

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

I'm very surprised that your crate did not write a letter of protest demanding improvements such as a fresh paint job. Crates have their rights, you know. They have a right to be strong. They have a right not to fall apart at the least little bump in the road. They have a right to express themselves. They have a right to stand tall. If your new crate needs any help with stating its rights with its mentors/students who don't even take photos of its rightness - just let me know.

Do you have a trailer? Trailers have rights, you know...

:)
Thanks for the photos. Hopefully, some day, I'll see it for myself in the 330 Hall Of Fame Museum.

Jane

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

We use our crate as a work bench in our pit. We can open it up and after we take out the robot we can fold down a table with a vise to work on and a shelf for battery's. We also keep a trash can and tool chest in it.

It also has wheels so its very easy to move. Its so easy to move we put our robot in it for GSR, even though GSR was a bag and tag event!


Crate



Crate with last years robit

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

It called your name, and asked you to take its picture, because deep down you knew it was a crate with character.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Could be. But I think it was conspiring with the cheesy crate next to it

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

I know we have used the same crate since 2007 (ie since I joined the team) and since then we've gone to:

City (One-way in miles)

Worcester (3300)
Boston (3300)
Anapolis (3600)
Orlando (4400)

= 29200 miles

If we include since the beginning of the team (it wouldn't be surprising if we have used the same crate as it is pretty beat up), we've also gone to:

Houston (4800)
New York (3500)

= 45800 miles

Can't find a pic of it's exterior yet. Only the interior.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Despite Bag and Tag, on the way home from St Louis this year, our crate will cross the 100,000 mile threshold.

How many miles does 359 have?

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Denver Regional: 2008 and 2010 - 1,891 miles
Boston Regional: 2006 - 1,284 miles
Connecticut Regional: 2009 - 1,198 miles
Waterloo Regional: 2007 - 1,306 miles
Smokey Mountain Regional: 2011 - 697 miles
South Florida Regional: 2012 - 162 miles
Alamo Regional: 2013 - 1,203 miles
World Champs(Atlanta): 2005-2010 - 485 miles
World Champs(STL): 2012 - 1,037 miles
Florida/Orlando Regional: 2005-2013 - 38 miles

She was retired at the end of last year after being beat all to heck after 9 years of amazing service and accumulating 23,000 travel miles. She will be missed.

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

I am sure 359 has many more miles than we do but here is our breakdown.

Our crate was only 3 years old and has been well worn.

Our 3 year old crate traveling log

2011 - Rookie Year
Kona to Oahu > 200+
Oahu to St. Louis > 4885
Return home > 5085

2012
Kona to Oahu > 200+
Oahu to St. Louis > 4885
Return home > 5085

2013 - First attempt at mainland regionals
Kona to Oahu > 200+
Oahu to LA > 4161
2 LA area regionals >60
Back to HI regional >4161
Oahu to St Louis > 4885
Return home > 5085

3 year total on our rookie crate = 38892

Most freight from Hawaii generally gets shipped through Seattle first. Then is trucked to the final destination.

The crate was dismantled this year since it wouldn't make another trip to the mainland..

You can visit our new crate in St. Louis!

Hope to see you there,
Aloha

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

Our first crate lasted 7 years:
Both going to and coming back from the alpha test weekend the crate took some significant damage. Going out, one side was knocked clean off, with much splintering off wood and some apparently improvised nails to fix it along the way. Coming back, a different side was partially caved in. The robot survived though, and even picked up a few extra parts along the way!

So, it had to be rebuilt. The only thing remaining from that crate is the base - a nice plastic base designed for use with forklifts. Since we're reusing the base, does it count as the same crate? ::rtm::

Re: Ode to a Crate
 

See the grandfather's axe question.