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Unread 09-12-2012, 14:28
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Re: Some Questions from a rookie team.

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Originally Posted by ming08108 View Post
5. We still need to acquire more money for parts. I was thinking maybe $2000 (For everything other than registration costs.), is this a good estimate? (Note we live quite close to the regional, so hotels and transportation should not be an issue)
$2,000 for everything may be cutting it a little close, especially for a rookie team still building up. 2815's robot bill of materials was around $1,200 last year by FIRST's accounting rules--that excludes things like wasted material, prototyping, and parts under $1/each (they rack up!), but also includes things like extra speed controllers plucked from old robots that we didn't actually put out cash for.

Other things you'll probably wind up spending on:
  • Team giveaways (buttons are the standard--ask around your school if anyone has a press)
  • Team T-shirts (2815 has used rushordertees.com for a few years now, but you may have a good local source)
  • Pit supplies (toolboxes, storage bins, display boards touting your work...)
  • A flag (entirely optional--we haven't gotten one in four seasons--but it does add something to the on-field presence when the emcee's waving it)
  • Tools, of course...
  • A stand to hold that regional champion banner. (Gotta have a dream, right?)
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2004-2006: FRC 1293 (D5 Robotics) - Student, Mentor, Coach
2007-2009: FRC 1618 (Capital Robotics) - Mentor, Coach
2009-2013: FRC 2815 (Los Pollos Locos) - Mentor, Coach - Palmetto '09, Peachtree '11, Palmetto '11, Palmetto '12
2010: FRC 1398 (Keenan Robo-Raiders) - Mentor - Palmetto '10
2014-2016: FRC 4901 (Garnet Squadron) - Co-Founder and Head Bot Coach - Orlando '14, SCRIW '16
2017-: FRC 5402 (Iron Kings) - Mentor

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Unread 09-12-2012, 18:42
Greg Young Greg Young is offline
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Re: Some Questions from a rookie team.

Team 587 just a few miles west on I-40 in Hillsborough. We would be happy to provide any help we can. We usually meet Monday and Thursday 5:30 to 7:30 at Orange High. Contact us before you come to make sure we're meeting.

I would advise getting on First Choice as soon as it opens and trying to score a couple of Talons. You are going to want a four motor drive and the Talons will sell out fast. A couple of CIMs to go with the Talons would be useful, but they are only $28 from AndyMark. A couple of batteries would also be good since it's hard to compete without four batteries. Other than that it is hard to say since we don't know what the game is and some game specific items won't be listed until after kickoff.

One thing I would do is download the game docs from last year and study the robot rules. Especially the bumper rules. Many rookie teams get bitten by the bumpers every year. It's never too early to get pool noodles.

$2,000 may be enough if you keep the robot fairly simple. We spend at least that on non-kit parts each year.

I would add a robot cart to Billfred's list. You will need one.
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Unread 09-12-2012, 18:50
jvriezen jvriezen is offline
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Re: Some Questions from a rookie team.

A very important item to get is a good quality scale, one such as this one:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/OHA...XK1?Pid=search

It is important that the read out give you .2 lbs precision or better and be tethered rather than right on the scale, so you can see the weight of your robot while its on the scale. You'll want to have a 'weight budget' for the various portions of your robot and weigh things often. A common rookie issue is an overweight robot, resulting in major cutting when you get to the regional.
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Unread 09-12-2012, 19:07
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DonRotolo DonRotolo is offline
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Re: Some Questions from a rookie team.

I agree that $2000 might be a little light for robot build season.

As for fundraising ideas, we run to carwashes, one in the spring and the other in the fall every year. We make really good money on these. The trick is to pre-sell the tickets instead of collecting the money when people show up.

Approach local businesses and ask for a small donaton, like $100. The hardware store, the pizza place, even the gardening store and small service businesses.
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