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Unread 28-04-2014, 12:15
MattRain MattRain is offline
AZ FTC AF, FTC #2844 and FTC #8640
FRC #1492 (Team Caution)
Team Role: RoboCoach
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Chandler, Arizona
Posts: 322
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Re: [FTC]: New Team / New Opportunity

Like said above, I would only go with one team in the beginning.

RobotC seems to be the main programming software, at least in my state, even though it is a program that you have to pay for, unlike Labview. RobotC though, is easier to expand it, if you wanted to get into more advanced programming in the future.

As for how to build the robot, our team has found that its much cheaper to custom build our robots. No Textrix stucture, other than the mounts, motors, servos, gear, etc. But with that comes the tools.

Our team over the 6 years has been gathering "hand-me-down" tools, i.e. our vertical bandsaw, two drill presses, a belt sander, grinder, and milter saw, that families of the school have donated for different reasons (usually because they are upgrading). We're a robotics team, its easy for us to fix the tools. We have all these machines working like new again. As for a mill, I would say no too, as we havent had one for 6 years, and are fine.

So yes, you could go and buy brand new tools for $$ or go the route we did.

Usually its good to have a few back-up batteries, chargers, an NXT or two.

If I was to start a team, heres what I would buy right off the bat, at least for building purposes, (not tools and such):
8 motors
12 servos
4 DC motor Control Boxes
2 Servo Control Boxes
3 Encoders (Autonomous/teleop functions)
HiTechnic Gyro Sensor (Autonomous)
2 NXTs
1 Samantha
1 large sheet of Polycarbonate/lexan (At least one)(Protection)
6 Regular 4" Wheels, (Textrix/andymark/banebot/etc.)

At least for me, theres a reason for some of that stuff on the list. I feel I have to have those to be competeive, at least in the higher compeitions (Super-Regionals/World), as you really need to have a good drive train that wont get pushed around from defense. (I.e. 4 of those motors go to the drive base, 1 DC motor contoller, 2 encoders)

And like StillDefective said, some teams, like us, have been going the 3d printed route lately too, something just to keep in mind. We love it, just model and print, and slap on the bot, funtional pieces that wont break (if designed right).
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www.valleyx2844.com
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