[sanddrag]

I'm hoping to try a new approach to electronics this year. Usually, our wiring process takes about a week, since we do it very neatly. Also, we usually wait until the frame is all machined, welded, and back from powder coat. This time, I'm going to try to work with the students to start on the electronics layout on Day 1, and mount it all to a sub-plate, that the rest of the design will have to accommodate later. That way, we can start wiring right away, and have it all ready to go whenever the robot is mechanically done. At least we can wire everything from main breaker to motor controllers and everything in between. Frame comes back from powder coat, assemble mechanical things, plop the electronics plate in, plug in motors and encoders, and you're up and running. I think it would get us running about a day after powder coat instead of a week after powder coat.