[evanperryg]

Wow, thanks guys!!!

Originally Posted by nathan_hui

Here are some suggestions:

Presentation 1:

• Servo can be velocity controlled (continuous rotation servo). Be careful, because those are commercially available.
• Encoders don't tell you how fast something is spinning so much as how much they've spun (and maybe which direction, depending on the particular encoder)
• Page 2: Clarify "continuous".
• Your power diagram isn't *necessarily* complete. You also have 12V going to your analog header and digital out. But that may or may not be important. It may also be prudent to delve into a discussion about the different current capabilities of different ports.
• I wasn't aware that we had 24V level signals on the robot. Or 12V level for that matter.
• As a matter of principle, not everything is PWM. You have CAN capability and I2C capability, neither of which actually use PWM. I'm also fairly certain that the cRIO does not communicate to the breakouts using PWM, though that would be an interesting design.
• Just so that you don't confuse people, a solenoid is not the pneumatic piston. The solenoid is the valve you use to control the pneumatic piston.
• Should you include some discussion of analog sensors? I don't know about your team, but my old team used to use quite a few of them. They're generally more abuse-proof than encoders.
• Instead of characterizing current as low, medium or high, why not characterize it in amps?
• It may be advisable to give more information about the motors, but then again, this is an electrical perspective, not an electromechanics perspective. Oh well.
• Upside down parts aren't necessarily bad. If I want to really save space, you'd barely be able to access anything without having to take the thing apart. A lot of things would be upside down. Especially the things that need airflow.
• I would like to debate the notion that zip ties are bad for cable management.
• An interesting byproduct of cable management is that you will incur service loops, and possibly higher resistance/impedance over your cables. This *could* affect the performance of your robot, as well as running signal lines next to high current noncontinuous DC lines.

• Interesting little tidbit for an otherwise bland slide, added.
• They can be used for both purposes, added.
• fixed.
• Can't believe I forgot those! fixed. We gutted our practice bot and are going to rewire it as training, so I will explain the current limitations then.
• welp... I'm not going to even try to explain how that typo occurred.
• odd. I had a list of signal types there, and suddenly just PWM. fixed. Also, coming soon, the pwmRio!!!
• The picture of a piston is to show them what a piston looks like. (it's not like I can't walk 10 feet and grab a few from our box of pistons, you know?) I will clarify the difference in speech.
• The new members are fresh out of middle school. Most or all will have no concept as to the scale of current, so I figured 'low, medium, high' was better. Added numbers with those, though.
• Again, this is more of a basic primer, so the basics are enough. They will learn more of that sort of thing wiring 2 or 3 robots before the season. (They will wire the 2013 practice bot, a kitbot possibly, and a vex robot for 1625's vex challenge)
• We had an 8-solenoid block strapped upside down in our bot. Not happening again. That stupid thing fell off almost every match until a mentor gave up and strapped it on with 5 feet of velcro.
• I accept your challenge. We should make a new thread for this. They work for everything, but aren't the best option, in many cases.
• I have heard similar things, I will make that understood in speech.

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

Also get into the stuff they need to do:
Wire stripping theory (don't nick the strands, strip length is important, twist stranded wire ends to avoid stray strands)
Wire colors that are legal. (In fact, have them read some parts of last year's electrical rules, making sure they understand that these are LAST YEAR's and not valid for 2014)
Wire gauge and current capacity
Crimping tools, techniques, and terminals (and what the colors on the terminals mean...)
Screw torque (and where to find the specification!)
Wire dress (keeping wires neat - how and why)
Zip ties and the right way to cut the ends off (no sharp ends)
Insulation and chafing (e.g., against a metal edge)
The danger of electricity and batteries (high current generates heat, wires and batteries can explode, etc.) (warm connections and wires are damaged connections and wires)
Safely carrying a battery.

• This will be taught when we rewire our 2013 practice bot.
• My team has quite a fun little story from '11 about wire colors. Sure to stick with the new members, too.
• Good plan. will add.
• This is another thing that we will teach when wiring the '13 practice bot.
• Tighten it so that the terminal doesn't move, but not any tighter. See bullets 1 and 4.
• Got a whole powerpoint for it!!
• We don't use many zipties for a few reasons. I am going to increase their use, but not by much.
• see bullets 1 and 4.
• Will explain when talking about the power system.
• see 1 and 4.

Originally Posted by techhelpbb

Someone really needs to make some funny 'video game' style assembly shorts for a FIRST control system. When you plug things in wrong....boom. Would be a lot cheaper than letting the real smoke out.

We should make it like surgeon simulator!!!