Thread: Parts Mangment
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Unread 29-11-2016, 21:14
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AKA: Gus Michel II
FRC #3946 (Tiger Robotics)
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Re: Parts Mangment

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Stratis View Post
I've found that your storage is going to depend on your build space. My team has been through a few different build spaces, and each one had different storage requirements.
Absolutely. Figure out how things will fit in your space, but try to buy pieces which can go in a different space; one day you're likely to need it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tr6scott View Post
I really like what the 2337 does, they build from their pit, year round. ... make your build shop your pit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cothron Theiss View Post
+1000000000000000
Wow! How does that work?
  • Do you have a separate machine shop, or at least cutting room? Does your pit include any CAD or programming equipment?
  • Do you have storage of stock and parts for prototyping and new builds (as opposed to repairs) outside of this small space? Do you have any barriers (whether a physical separation or administrative) to restrict access to this storage to better simulate the competition pit?
  • Do you have multiple copies of the pit? Especially given our limited work hours, we typically have at least four separate build /sub-build projects going at once for the first four weeks of build, and its not uncommon for two robot projects to continue until we're ready to pack the trailer for competition. We don't have enough tools or toolboxes for four pits.
  • As a halfway measure, I'm going to suggest we set up a pit for driver practice near our practice area. If the robot breaks during driver practice, the pit crew will have to fix it there. If this sticks, I'm going to have to advance "pit design" on our GANNT chart for build season!

Pseudo-edit (made before posting): As I think on it, I realize that we've been doing part of this a low level at least since the 2013 build season, but not the space limitation. Most of our rolling items which we take into the pit (e.g. tool chest, storage work bench, and rolling shelf unit) serve the same or at least similar function in our build space. We typically move our batteries from a large, bench-like storage unit to a smaller box, and load the big battery box with spare parts and stock for that year. (We plan to build an even more efficient battery cart this year.)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cothron Theiss View Post
As for part storage, my only suggestion is to use clear plastic containers. As convenient as the totes from Recycle Rush are, we ended up giving most of them to teachers for their storage.
Agreed. We only use the totes for things VERY occasionally accessed, or as project "pack away" boxes for the end of each build session - they are too big for storage of similar items accessed weekly or monthly. [Examples pruned]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfred View Post
General mantra that worked well on 4901:

If your storage bin for a robot parts is bigger than one of our standard (just-smaller-than-a-shoebox) bins, you need two smaller, more specific bins.

(Our exceptions ...
Yes, we use the same system, though our standard bins are a bit larger. As an example, one of our recent box splits was when our "small straps" box, which already excluded nylon tie-down straps split into the "tie wraps; wire management" vs something like "hose clamps, plumber tape; other medium straps".
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