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Unread 12-03-2012, 19:09
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lnader lnader is offline
Jedi Master of Robot Articulation
AKA: The Mentor with the Moustache
FRC #3098 (The Captains)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Rookie Year: 1999
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4
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Re: When to make practice bots

Here's our schedule for the last two seasons:

Weeks 1 and 2:
Hardcore design and CAD work, resulting in a full, functioning robot model and part prints. Mock up kit chassis for programmers to start tinkering.

Weeks 3 and 4:
Fabrication, assembly and testing of practice robot. Noting design changes as we go.

Weeks 5 and 6:
Fabrication and assembly of competition robot.

The definite (and as I feel most important) advantage to building a practice bot is drive practice. Confident drivers make less errors which results in better performance on the field.

You could also say that it gives programmers more time, but you could have a 12-week build season and the programmers would still want more time. (sorry Tubby)
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1999 - 2002: Pit Crew/Drive Team FRC 67
2005 - 2006: Mentor/Drive Coach FRC 1596
2007 - 2008: Scorekeeper/Referee
2010 - Present: Mentor FRC 3098, Robot Inspector, Referee
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