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Unread 16-12-2008, 01:37
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daltore daltore is offline
Electronics/programming/design
AKA: Aaron Osmer
FRC #3529 (ausTIN CANs)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 272
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Re: What Do You Wish You Would Have Known Your Rookie Year?

-Never assume that because you've demonstrated something to someone they know how to do it. Watch them and help them the first several times. That way you don't end up with magic wires or round squares.

-Reverse engineer every problem. If you hear, "That won't work because ___", figure out what to do about ___ and try to figure out a solution to that. Nothing is impossible, it's just impossible to do without thinking about it.

-Make a separate team not just for the major parts of the robot (arm, drive train, electrical, and programming), but also for Chaiman's/Rookie All-Star, Woodie Flowers, Engineering Notebook, and any other separate concept. It will keep you from forgetting some of those things.

-Have all the teams REPORT to the president/leader/sponsor/mentor about their progress and what they're all trying to do, every day. If something doesn't sound right, it probably isn't, and you need to check on it.

-If "close enough" can be avoided, it had better be. It will usually come back to bite you, generally during competition.

-Analyze the reason you're doing EVERYTHING. If you don't need a 2-speed drive train, don't build one. If it's faster to get points one way than another, optimize the robot for that way.

-I know you don't believe it, but yes, simpler IS always better.

-Worm gears are meant to resist back driving. As it turns out, it's not a good thing to test that theory.

-The KILL SWITCH needs to be put in BEFORE the robot is built. A mentor almost lost a finger because we didn't have a disable switch.

-Don't stand between the robot and a wall. Ever. Especially during autonomous.

-Check everything, every night. You won't notice that minor part slowly breaking until the night before ship day when it incapacitates your robot.

-Cold pizza and a heat gun beats a meal at home any day.

Last edited by daltore : 16-12-2008 at 01:40.
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