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Re: Presto Chango
Posted by Chris, Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monster, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.
Posted on 4/16/99 6:58 AM MST
In Reply to: MAJOR TWEAKING posted by Bill Beatty on 4/15/99 10:07 PM MST:
This might be about our robot last year. Was it?
For people that don't know, our robot last year at nationals looked absolutely nothing like our robot a regionals. However, I assure everyone that all of the changes were made in the alloted time between the regional and nationals (72 hours or so). We worked out a schedule to work in shifts so that the shop was running 24 hours a day. So, it can be done.
By changing our robot around, we were able to become competitive at nationals, even beating Chief Delphi in a qualifying match. This was very important for our team morale as we were completely devestated at the regional. I think teams need a chance to make improvements so they have some hope of doing well if their first competition flopped. In fact, it may have saved our funding for this year.
One other thing: we demonstrated to the students that when you are in a tough situation, hard work and persistance can make you a winner. Without this opportunity to do the drastic change, we couldn't have shown that.
-Chris
: I apologize for raising such a heavy subject on the eve of the National Competition, but I want to start the thought process now, just in case there might be a circumstance or situation at the Nationals that might be misconstrued. I feel before the next competition FIRST is going to have to make a ruling or policy statement concerning improvements and revisions after the six-week time period has lapsed.
: Over the years we have seen robots appear at subsequent tournaments with major changes from their initial competition. It is obvious that these revisions could not have been completed in the three-day period after the regional tournament and major work has was done during the interim. An extreme example would be to enter the Chicago and Michigan regionals spaced four weeks apart. After competing in Chicago and shipping to Michigan, there are four weeks to construct components or, if necessary, an entire new robot and after Michigan's tournament, install the new components or swap the entire machine. In a less extreme example, teams could utilize the eight weeks. between the first regional and the national to build components and take them to Orlando and install them there.
: I'm sure there are many different opinions as to what is proper and in keeping with the spirit of the competition. It probably varies from 'no changes allowed' to an 'almost anything goes' as in the examples above.
: My own personal preference would be that at the first appearance of a machine, it should be documented and the only tweaking allowed would be strengthening, speeding up, and refining. I don't feel conceptual or functional alterations should be allowed.
: I'm curious what others feel concerning this situation.
: Congratulations to all the 200 plus winners in Florida
: Bill Beatty .
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