[Jonathan Norris]

Ok here's a perspective from a team that built many good and troublesome custom frames and have used the kitframe for the last two years. Before the kitframe was introduced for most teams the most complex and important aspect to their robot was the drive system. This was because on field success mainly stemmed from the strength of their drive systems (look at the 2002 and 2003 games). However the 2004 game brought a different direction in the games (in my opinion), going from a relitivly basic and one-dimensional game in 2003 to a very complex and multi-dimensional game in 2004. I believe that FIRST saw that innovative robots came from their success at manipulating the game objects and not how they drove around the field. This is not say that teams who built more complex drive systems (swerve for example) were not innovative, but a drive system is something you are going to need every year and inevitably many teams will be using the same design for their drive system.

FIRST introduced the kitframe in 2005 to try and stem innovation in how teams manipulated the game objects and increase the success of the rookie teams. As Karthik noted it also provided any team with a valuable resource, more time to build the important part of your robot the manipulation of the game piece. This is why my team, team 610, has used the kit frame for the past 2 seasons. The first year we used it we were able to build our first 6-wheel drive system in only 2 weeks. Last year we decided to use the same design, with the addition of an andymark 2-speed, and were able to finish it in just over a week. Giving us more time to work on the most important part of the robot, the manipulation of the game piece. This is why I am surprised more 'veteran' teams have not used it.

We have also used a tensioning system with the kit frame where we can slide the wheels to tighten the chain (which some people said cannot be done...). Basically every wheel is supported by 2 pillow blocks, pieces of 1.5" angle, with slots milled where they are bolted to the kitframe. Its the same system we have used for the last two seasons and has worked well for us, allowing us to slide the wheels back in fourth to our desire.