[FRC Blog] Weather, Weather

[Hallry]

Posted on the FRC Blog, 2/5/14: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...eather-weather

Weather, Weather

Blog Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 - 17:41

Many teams have had their build season plans significantly affected by the extreme weather much of the United States has experienced over the last several weeks. We will not be extending build season because of these events. Stop Build Day is still Tuesday, February 18th.

However, to provide teams with greater flexibility in finding a way to meet their objectives in spite of weather-related setbacks, we will be increasing the weight limit referenced in R18, sometimes casually referred to as the ‘Withholding Allowance’, to 45 pounds. This increase will apply to all teams, and will be reflected in Friday’s Team Update.

As you work on creative ways to overcome your build season challenges, please remember to put safety first. As we’ve said before, nothing you are doing with your robot is worth getting hurt over. Please stay safe out there!

Frank

Withholding Allowance will be increased to 45 pounds!

+>1 Frank and FIRST!

[cgmv123]

http://www3.usfirst.org/roboticsprog...eather-weather

Many teams have had their build season plans significantly affected by the extreme weather much of the United States has experienced over the last several weeks. We will not be extending build season because of these events. Stop Build Day is still Tuesday, February 18th.

However, to provide teams with greater flexibility in finding a way to meet their objectives in spite of weather-related setbacks, we will be increasing the weight limit referenced in R18, sometimes casually referred to as the ‘Withholding Allowance’, to 45 pounds. This increase will apply to all teams, and will be reflected in Friday’s Team Update.

As you work on creative ways to overcome your build season challenges, please remember to put safety first. As we’ve said before, nothing you are doing with your robot is worth getting hurt over. Please stay safe out there!

Frank

45 lbs withholding allowance. Go crazy, folks.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Hallry

Duplicate thread of this.

I call it a tie. You both win.

You should share your reward.

[Phyrxes]

Interesting we could theoretically withhold a running spare drivebase. We aren't going to do that but that still seems like a crazy idea.

[nathannfm]

Originally Posted by Phyrxes

Interesting we could theoretically withhold a running spare drivebase. We aren't going to do that but that still seems like a crazy idea.

This doesn't even count off the shelf gearboxes and the like, you could probably withhold almost your entire robot if you wanted to...

[TheMadCADer]

Originally Posted by nathannfm

This doesn't even count off the shelf gearboxes and the like, you could probably withhold almost your entire robot if you wanted to...

Just keep in mind that even though it may be COTS, if you have assembled it (VEX Pro Ball Shifters, for example, require assembly) it counts toward your allowance. The way around this would be waiting to assemble things at competition, which takes time but is possible.

You're restricted to raw materials and things in the same state that they came out of the box, plus 45 pounds.

[Christopher149]

Am I alone in thinking that weather hasn't been that bad, we haven't missed that much time, and that the robot is arguably ahead of schedule??? In Houghton, Michigan?

How can I even withhold 45 lbs?

Though, good idea for some other places; I've heard the likes of Indiana got hit quite hard.

[MechEng83]

Originally Posted by Christopher149

Am I alone in thinking that weather hasn't been that bad, we haven't missed that much time, and that the robot is arguably ahead of schedule??? In Houghton, Michigan?

How can I even withhold 45 lbs?

Though, good idea for some other places; I've heard the likes of Indiana got hit quite hard.

We're at 10 missed days and counting. I'd say that the weather was only bad enough to miss 6 or 7, but we have to follow school policy and cancel when school is out.

Either way, it's bad enough. The increase to 45 lbs will give us some more flexibility in systems we haven't been able to even build/test yet. I didn't expect a break and my kids know that we're working toward a Feb 18 bag date, but I'm glad FIRST has recognized the extreme situation and given us something to work with.

[Jon Stratis]

We're at 5 missed days (in Minnesota, where the snow is higher than my car roof on the sides of my driveway!), and yet we have the robot electrically and mechanically finished a week and a half earlier than we've ever had before. The early finish has less to do with the weather and more to do with the dedication and drive of our captains... they've been really awesome this year!

[sanddrag]

Cool, now we have more time to work on the secret endgame mechanism.

[loyal]

No I think it was the wrong thing to do. Ask Canada about bad weather. In New England we get some extreme weather and we suck it up. Constraints and unforeseen problems are part of the learning exercise. So I repeat that this is bad form on behalf of FIRST.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by loyal

No I think it was the wrong thing to do. Ask Canada about bad weather. In New England we get some extreme weather and we suck it up. Constraints and unforeseen problems are part of the learning exercise. So I repeat that this is bad form on behalf of FIRST.

There is a difference between getting bad weather in Canada and New England where there are the resources set aside and the experience in dealing with the environment and NC and Alabama getting snow when they don't usually get it. Just because you know how to drive in snow doesn't mean that 16 year old in NC driving in snow for their first time does.

[RyanB]

Originally Posted by loyal

No I think it was the wrong thing to do. Ask Canada about bad weather. In New England we get some extreme weather and we suck it up. Constraints and unforeseen problems are part of the learning exercise. So I repeat that this is bad form on behalf of FIRST.

Increasing withholding allowance is FIRST's standard response to teams losing build season days (so far). By sticking with a 6 week build season and increasing allowance, FIRST is providing the most equal playing field while still requiring teams to plan ahead for unforeseen circumstances.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by loyal

No I think it was the wrong thing to do. Ask Canada about bad weather. In New England we get some extreme weather and we suck it up. Constraints and unforeseen problems are part of the learning exercise. So I repeat that this is bad form on behalf of FIRST.

Seriously? In light of the storms you had just this week? Let's really look at unusual weather, -35 in Minnesota, that's 20 degrees below average for Calgary. Toronto has an average of 31 in of snow in Jan and Feb. We topped 51" yesterday with a new storm coming over the weekend. Minneapolis had 19 days of below zero in January alone. Detroit has had more snow in January than it recieves all season. Did you see any of the video from Hotlanta last week? One motorist I saw interviewed was in his car for 16 hours. I bet you didn't hear the story that it was colder in central Minnesota on several days than McMurdoe Station or Wild Horse, Yukon Territory.
I repeat, Thank You Frank, Good Job, Keep up the Good Work, Thank You!

[buildmaster5000]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

We're at 5 missed days (in Minnesota, where the snow is higher than my car roof on the sides of my driveway!), and yet we have the robot electrically and mechanically finished a week and a half earlier than we've ever had before. The early finish has less to do with the weather and more to do with the dedication and drive of our captains... they've been really awesome this year!

THIS. THIS is what FIRST is all about. They have inspired the students and the students are now passionate about robots and are passing the passion to the next generation.

I tip my hat to you, Team 2177.