I just updated with a post about how I think being a competitive rookie can be accomplished, it should give you guys a better idea of where I am coming from and give you an idea of what advice I need.
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Originally Posted by AdamHeard
Not sure how necessary my advice is here, but I highly recommend the kop frame + AM shifters + AM wheels as a 6wd. That's a top tier level drivetrain.
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Originally Posted by R.C.
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I am a huge fan of the KitBot chassis, I would expect the team to use it provided there aren't any surprises as far as field terrain goes. Out of the seven bots I have been directly involved with I believe only one did not use the kit chassis (and I could argue it probably should have).
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Originally Posted by Chris is me
I'm sure he's well aware of the Kitbot drivetrain - 3280 used a cool combination of IFI and AndyMark kit frame material to create their 8WD. After it took us weeks to machine sideplates for our 8WD, seeing their simple yet effective drivetrain was a huge "forehead slap" moment.
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You are right Chris I am familiar with creating a solid drive train with the kit frame, while Miki Oliver gets credit for most of that design I would not be surprised to see something similar for this new team.
I firmly believe that what we had started with 3280 was the start of a good program. Unfortunately out of the 4 original mentors 3 of us have since found new jobs (4 if you include the mentor who replaced me in working on the software) Hopefully despite most of us relocating Miki can keep things going in Providence.
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Originally Posted by jwfoss
The best advice I could possibly give you is to not go at it alone. IMHO the real key to having a very competitive rookie year is to have experienced mentors to support the team. One mentor, even a "FIRST superstar" is not enough.
This past year was my first year mentoring frc2168, myself and another former frc229er (Clarkson University Alumni), joined up to see how we could help. Yes we brought alot of experience but the hardest thing was getting everyone on the same page. Explaining the roles of different people at competition, the importance of robust design, simplicity, and strategy. The culture change we helped to create made the team much stronger. One of the first things one of the head mentors said to me was "we're kind of like a 3rd year rookie"...
I can definitly say that this was the most tiring year i've been involved in the program. Don't spread yourself too thin...
Establish the correct ideals right away; and the rest should fall into place.
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I defiitely know where you are coming from and I will be careful not to over commit. I think that because we are starting new if we get our stuff together out of the gate we should be in good shape long term.