Quote:
Originally Posted by BurkeHalderman
Use two different colors of pneumatic tubing.
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An excellent idea!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrendanB
Don't use bolts to fasten electronics that may need to be replaced on a dime (motor controllers and sidecars).
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Indeed: use industrial-strength velcro, and a little extra wire. Being able to pull a speed controller (or CRio, or sidecar, or solenoid, or any other electronic component) off of the robot without disconnecting anything, where it can be jimmied/fiddled-with/tightened/etc, is a godsend for fast electronics repair! And it holds up great even under competition impacts--if anything, it helps with shock absorption.
Mr. Lim's ideas are all excellent, too. We do the additional speed controllers and solenoids thing, but never thought of mounting the PDB on spacers!
Some of 1551's standard practices that I haven't seen (or glossed over):
--keep a detailed inventory of what you have, in what quantity, and where it's stored.
--clean up every night, even if you're just coming back in the morning.
--do off-season projects that require design, and have potential applicability to FRC (manipulators, drive trains, etc). Include but don't limit to improvements on the previous year's robot.
--if you can't build two robots, at least build two drivetrains, and give one to your drivers as fast as possible.
--have tryouts. Some people think they're much better drivers than they are, and vice-versa.
--when a student says they don't handle pressure well, don't put them on the drive team.
--solder, don't crimp. (Or solder AND crimp!) (Yes, I know this contradicts other advice in this thread... As two people, get three different answers! You should also have quick crimp connectors available for really fast, omg-it's-timeout-and-we're-in-the-finals repairs.) On that note:
--invest in a high-quality crimping tool.
--consider tensioned steel cable for upper mechanical structure. It's very light, and somewhat annoying to work with, but can provide amazing strength and stability for almost no weight. But if you use it, use swedges with a good swedge crimper, and turnbuckles to account for expansion.
--invest in a mini-mill and mini-lathe for competition. Mount them on a cart, use that cart for (labeled) storage of all your bits and bobbins. I can't tell you how much use these devices have seen at FLR and Buckeye, much of it for other teams--and it keeps our pit organized as well!
--build homework/dinner time into each build night, and have a quiet room for students to work until they're done with their schoolwork; but be vigilant about off-goofing and shenaniganery!
--invite your sponsors to everything you do. Everything.
GREAT THREAD! Thanks for starting it!