New member, new team, questions.

[Ken Leung]

Originally posted by Frank(Aflak)
OK, soo, i find this forums, this is the first year my schools done USFIRST, and i have some questions.

First, i see all these teams here that have already built, or almost built, their robots. I was told that the ship us parts in January and then we have like 3 months or so to build it from those parts - are you allowed to recycle robots from lats year? are we hopelessly behind? please set me straight.

Our teacher/team coach/ MIT-grad-who-knows-his-stuff is also new, but he said that, as he understands, we can only use parts that come in the big kit, or that we purchase through a US FIRST supplier (THE supplier?), but i hear teams talking of using file cards as added traction on their robots, and I'm wondering how stictly we must stick to that, or expect other teams too. Are note cards legal? will they be?

This last one is about cost. We recieved a 7000 doller grant from NASA, as about 2/3 of everyone else did, and, as I understand, 6000 of that went to USFIRST to enter the contest, pay for EDURobot and the box of stuff they send us. The other 1000 can be used for extra parts. what did other people spend on their robots above and beyond the 6000 doller initial fee. I am wondering if I should begin calling local companies for grants. Help and answers are much appreciated.

-Frank (Aflak is just a nickname . . . sounds like my last name sorta)

1.) If your team is sending a team representative to a remote kickoff, or the Manchester kickoff itself, that person will be picking up a kit of parts at the kickoff event. In the event where you can't send another to kickoffs, I believe you can arrange something with FIRST and have them send you the kit of parts.

2.) You have 6 weeks to build the robot, before you have to ship the robot to an desinated storage place on Feb. 17th or 18th.

3.) Things you are allowed to build your robot with: The innovation FIRST control system that came with the kit of parts, all the motors from the kit, and some structural material included in the kit as well as some small parts like gearing and shaft collars, etc. And you will get a list of addition hardware, where you can look up the allowed material you can use for your robot. It usually include "any kind of gears and sprockets, chain", or like aluminum extrusion up to a cross section of 2" by 2", or limited size of timing belts, etc. You will have to look up that list for specifics parts you can use for next year when you get the kit. Finally, there might be a company FIRST allowed you to buy things from, such as the small parts inc. from past years (although they are no longer FIRST's sponsor). And you are limited to a certain amount of money you can use at Small parts. The filing card Team 71 used last year are from small parts I believe.

The most important restriction for the robot is two things: a size limit, 2.5' by 3' by 5' in the last two years (which they might change), and a 130 lbs limit.

4.) You can only use past year's robot parts if FIRST allowes you to. For example, I believe old motors from old robots are ok, as long as you only use the limited number of them on the robot at a time, and that they are the exact same model. Otherwise, you may only use parts you manufacture DURING the 6 weeks and the allowed time after competition every year.

5.) You are allowed to raise as much money as possible for your team, for team traveling, spare parts budget, raw material, etc. There is no limit on that.


One more thing. Feel free to ask question on this forum. There are plenty of people willing to help. Its much different from other competitions where each teams are for themselves only.

Hope it helps.

-Ken L