Welcome back, Dr. Joe!
Here's another recent "catch up" thread:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=97033
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# Electronics and Control
* Wiring changes in the recent years
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Making things simpler, the current system uses a single centralized power distribution board/fuse panel. Making things more complex, the cRIO does not directly send signals to motors and relays, but instead uses a series of breakout boards and "digital sidecars." Additionally, some components that were once tailor-made for our control system (camera, radio,) are now off-the-shelf items, which require some funky wiring, like dedicated ports on the power distribution board, and voltage converters.
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* Jaguars Vs. Victors << is this still a thing?
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Yup. Jaguars still haven't quite achieved the reliability of victors, with or without CAN, and many teams stick with Victors for reliability and space reasons.
Generally, a matter of taste..great teams have used all three options. I'll let people who know more than me fill you in on this one.
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# Motors in the FIRST kit <<what's new
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4 CIMs have been the standard since 2005, and most teams put all 4 in the drivetrain. The FP motors are still around, and a bit less smoke-happy than they once were. Denso window motors provide a low/medium torque right angle output. Banebots motors of various sizes have been avaliable in recent years. Last year, four sizes were avaliable, with the RS-775 packing a real punch.
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# Pneumatics Keys to success in a less restrictive world
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Not a whole lot has changed here. Some teams have found slightly better compressors, and many teams began using plastic accumulators last year. And of course you occasionally see a strange size of cylinder. But nothing truly ground breaking has come from the less restrictive rules.
Some other random things to be aware of:
-There's a new means of official communication from FIRST, "Bill's Blog," which keeps us up do date on a wide range of things.
http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/
-FIRST now directly provides teams with a way to fund raise, by selling LED lightbulbs.
http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/...n-e-watt-saver
-As mentioned, Michigan now uses the "district system," where teams play at multiple district events for the same cost as a regional, where they can qualify for the state championship.
Welcome back again, and good luck!
-Joe G.