Robot Inspection Checklist Prior to Matches

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by Mike dennis

We always try to have a checklist but this year it has actually been used every match because we put it on the back side of a piece of lexan on the robot and check it off with a dry-erase prior to each match. This allows us to have it on the field where stuff like turn it on and remove safety pin comes into play.

That is a really really good idea.

[fyrefrost]

Our team has a checklist as well. We print off several copies then check off every item on it before each of our matches. Always make sure that everything is plugged in right on the electrical board. Sometimes one thing out of line here can make the entire robot stop working. We usually test our drive train before each match too, just to be sure that if all else fails our bot still has defensive capability.

[BrendanB]

Our team has learned the hard way at the Week Zero and thursday at GSR, make sure every pnuematic end is closed.

[toolgirl]

In addition to always just checking for loose screws and such, we've found it helpful to actually list specifics on our sheet- figure out which things are more likely to ever come loose, so we make sure they always get extra special attention!

We always check wires and connections, too, as well as clearances- if say a zip tie broke off and now a wire is hanging in the path where your rotating arm travels... just things like that. But checking for clearances could apply to a number of things anyway.

Then, Bumpers! Just to make sure we have the right color for the next match! And then this also helps us to keep track of matches when we check to see our next alliance, the times are right next to it if matches are still on schedule.

Most of the rest of our checklist is specific to our robot, but like some others have said, just restoring whatever needs to be restored, making sure hostbot and minibot batteries are fully charged (part of this check is to actually use a multimeter for us at least), and even making sure your driver station is ready to go, would all probably be beneficial.

Good luck!

[vhcook]

As I recall, our checklist, which is robot-specific, went something like this:

- Bumpers correct color
- Bumpers right side up
- Elevator cables correctly seated in pulleys
- Radio plugged in
- Battery plugged in and strapped down
- Robot on
- Minibot on robot
- Minibot battery connected
- Minibot switches in correct position
- Electronics Hatch secured
- Minibot Deployment Arm retraction hard stop locked in place
- Minibot Deployment Arm cotter pin secured.
- Beak closed on ubertube in correct orientation
- Robot properly aimed for auton (check at least twice)

Some of these are not going to be applicable for you, but they're ideas.

[B-RoB]

Before every match I make sure that I have zip ties and a 7/16ths wrench and ratchet in my pocket in case I see any issues. I also check the driver’s station to make sure that the controller and joystick are read by it

[Ankit S.]

For the Robot:
-Make sure PWM's are connected and haven't fallen out. It is quite tough to drive if you don't have all of your wheels connected.

-Check battery voltage.

-Make sure crimps stay crimped and wires have not fallen out of the crimp.

-Bumpers!

-Make sure your Arm is in starting configuration if it ended the last match out of starting configuration.

-Make sure your Radio is plugged in the right port.

-If your sponsor logos are detachable, make sure they are on the robot.

For Driving:
-Make sure the joysticks are plugged in.

-Make sure your classmate is charged and able to be turned on. If the classmate is not charged, be prepared to plug it in immediately in the driver station.

-Make sure your drivers are present.

Thats all I have from my experience.

[Vermeulen]

We dind't have a checklist this year, and I wish we had.
I would include:

New, legal battery in and secured. (Minibot and robot)
Any stored energy springs set
No broken parts (We had a piece of steel wire connecting a servo to our deployment latch which nobody checked. Our minibot didn't deploy, and we lost the match
Bumpers are secured and of the right colors
Parts are within the starting configuration
Bolts are tightened
Chains/belts are tensioned

Almost all of those had been problems for us either in our testing or in the competition. Having a checklist probably would have put us in position to pick alliances at our regional, due to an unsecured minibot battery hanging off the back while it was climbing.