Second Robot?

[archiver]

Posted by Wayne Doenges at 03/30/2001 6:05 AM EST


Engineer on team #535, G-Force, from Huntington North High School and UT Electronic Controls.



Out of curiosity. How many teams built a second robot?
We did and it has been a lifesaver. We were able to practice with it after our primary bot was sent away. We were able to use it to set up our gyro chip so all we have to for the primary bot is to download the data. We were also able to find where the weak parts are and replace them on the primary.

Hope to see you all at the finals. Just look for the Tiki hut. Team 535, may the G-Force be with you

[archiver]

Posted by P.J. Baker at 03/30/2001 6:55 AM EST


Engineer on team #177, Bobcat Robotics, from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.


In Reply to: Second Robot?
Posted by Wayne Doenges on 03/30/2001 6:05 AM EST:



Wayne,

First off, I have to commend you guys on an outstanding rookie year so far. It's mind boggling that you fiugred it out so well on the first try. To have built two machines on top of that is amazing.

This is the 7th year for team #177, and the first time that we have built a duplicate robot. There simply is no substitute for drive time, and this year we've gotten a ton.

I doubt that a large number of teams build a complete second machine though. Even if you can afford it, it's really tough - espescially if you build the whole thing at the High School, like we do. The facts that our design is very simple and our frame just bolts together (hooray for 80/20) are the only reasons that we were able to do it.

See you in Florida,

P.J. Baker
Team #177

[archiver]

Posted by Wayne Doenges at 04/01/2001 5:05 PM EST


Engineer on team #535, G-Force, from Huntington North High School and UT Electronic Controls.


In Reply to: Two Bobcats
Posted by P.J. Baker on 03/30/2001 6:55 AM EST:



: Wayne,

: First off, I have to commend you guys on an outstanding rookie year so far. It's mind boggling that you fiugred it out so well on the first try. To have built two machines on top of that is amazing.

: This is the 7th year for team #177, and the first time that we have built a duplicate robot. There simply is no substitute for drive time, and this year we've gotten a ton.

: I doubt that a large number of teams build a complete second machine though. Even if you can afford it, it's really tough - espescially if you build the whole thing at the High School, like we do. The facts that our design is very simple and our frame just bolts together (hooray for 80/20) are the only reasons that we were able to do it.

: See you in Florida,

: P.J. Baker
: Team #177


P.J. thanx for the complement. It really means alot.
We will have 'Viking II' at the nats. It is willing to give up it's life for the team and 'Viking I' and we have no qualms about cannibalism.
Good luck at the nats.

W.Doenges

[archiver]

Posted by Erin at 03/30/2001 8:04 AM EST


Other on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Second Robot?
Posted by Wayne Doenges on 03/30/2001 6:05 AM EST:



In many ways, the second robot is different than the first (there can never be two totally identical things). It has been a great deal of help, especially to our drivers, who get the extra driving time. It is also good experience for students who need to learn how the robot functions and what pit life is like. Ok, so maybe it isn't as good looking...

Did anyone see the second TechnoKat in 99? That was like a double dose of nightmare for me.

-Erin

[archiver]

Posted by Deej- T190 at 03/30/2001 12:41 PM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompeii, from Mass Academy and WPI.


In Reply to: Powerdog and the Mutt
Posted by Erin on 03/30/2001 8:04 AM EST:



: In many ways, the second robot is different than the first (there can never be two totally identical things). It has been a great deal of help, especially to our drivers, who get the extra driving time. It is also good experience for students who need to learn how the robot functions and what pit life is like. Ok, so maybe it isn't as good looking...

: Did anyone see the second TechnoKat in 99? That was like a double dose of nightmare for me.

: -Erin

Definately remember that, I was on Team 42 Then, and they were right next to us in the pits, and we were always talking to them ( we were placed in the top 10 all the way to our last seeding match), so they were always talking to us about being great partners, which I agreed on. On T190, we have mules where we work on different drivelines (essentially fully working prototypes), which helps with driver training and practice.

[archiver]

Posted by Andy Baker at 03/30/2001 1:35 PM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: Re: Powerdog and the Mutt
Posted by Deej- T190 on 03/30/2001 12:41 PM EST:



We made a second robot in '99... TKO2. It was brought to Rumble, so we had two robots there.

While a second robot is beneficial to getting plenty of practice, it also wears the patience of families. The added time that we took to make this second robot took away from more important things.

It's all about priorities... it just wasn't one for us the last two years.

Andy B.

[archiver]

Posted by Brian Cholerton at 03/30/2001 8:06 AM EST


Engineer on team #311, Red Jammers, from East Islip High School and KeySpan Energy, Multiline Corp., Computer Assoc..


In Reply to: Second Robot?
Posted by Wayne Doenges on 03/30/2001 6:05 AM EST:



This is the second year that team 311 has built two and it helps tremendously. The operators get LOTS of extra practice on our field (Daily) and it makes it much easier if you have to change out a part during the competition. Not to mention the fact that you get to refine your software and control systems

[archiver]

Posted by Raul at 03/30/2001 8:52 AM EST


Engineer on team #111, Wildstang, from Rolling Meadows & Wheeling HS and Motorola.


In Reply to: Two EInsteins for 311
Posted by Brian Cholerton on 03/30/2001 8:06 AM EST:



To all those that have a second robot (we also have a reduced functionality version):

Keep in mind that any modifications made to your spare robot parts during the down time between shipment date and the start of a competition have special rules. You must not use a part that was modified during the down time.

You need to restore the spare to its "shipped" state and redo the mod on site at the competition. So you need to plan your modifications accordingly. Use simple tools and materials so it can be reproduced on site.

Good luck to all.

Raul

: This is the second year that team 311 has built two and it helps tremendously. The operators get LOTS of extra practice on our field (Daily) and it makes it much easier if you have to change out a part during the competition. Not to mention the fact that you get to refine your software and control systems

[archiver]

Posted by Joe Johnson at 03/30/2001 9:26 AM EST


Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: Second Robot?
Posted by Wayne Doenges on 03/30/2001 6:05 AM EST:



We tried to build a second robot our first year in FIRST. It almost killed us... ...AND WE NEVER COMPLETED IT ANYWAY!

The experience was so traumatic that we vowed never to attempt it again.

So... ...it's one robot for Chief Delphi or it's none.

Joe J.

[archiver]

Posted by Jake at 03/30/2001 3:21 PM EST


Student on team #365, Miracle Workerz, from Avon Grove High School and DuPont Engineering.


In Reply to: Second Robot?
Posted by Wayne Doenges on 03/30/2001 6:05 AM EST:



We built a second robot, but it was nothing compared to the glory of Li'l MOE. It was basically a drive system held together by scrap metal. But it drove, and gave the drivers the practice they needed to do so well in the regionals. We practiced gripping both goals, balancing, and towing Big MOE around in the stretcher.

~ Captain Jake
The Miracle Workerz
Team 365
Go Li'l MOE!

[archiver]

Posted by Rob Zeuge at 03/30/2001 4:27 PM EST


Coach on team #121, Rhode Warrior, from University of Rhode Island and Naval Undersea Warfare Center.


In Reply to: Second Robot?
Posted by Wayne Doenges on 03/30/2001 6:05 AM EST:



We only thought about making a second bot because it was so simple this year, and we had plenty of extra parts from prototyping. It comes in handy for practice and for community demos when the competition bot is out in the mail.

Best of luck

Robert Zeuge
rzeu0470@postoffice.uri.edu