FRC Blogged-Kit of Parts Drive System Option

[ttldomination]

I am actually really interested to see the new design of the kitbot.

To that end, I'm wondering what will be the pricepoint for the frame and such. Is the $450 the dollar equivalent of a new kitbot?

- Sunny G.

[bardd]

I wonder if the direct driven wheel means we'll be getting a WCD kitbot this year. My gut tells me yes. I hope it's true, if not for the advantages of WCD then for the sheer coolness of it.

[Thad House]

I think even though it is a direct driven center, I think it will still be a dead axle system. I don't think FIRST would make the kit chassis not have an outer frame member because that outer member is very helpful for both mounting structure and mounting bumbers, and I dont think they want rookies having to worry about how to mount things without that outer member.

[Lil' Lavery]

I just hope it's revealed prior to October 3rd (or 17th at the very latest).

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

I just hope it's revealed prior to October 3rd (or 17th at the very latest).

Yeah, I'm wishing for this, but I don't think we're going to see it anytime soon.

The speculation about the game with be insane. At the very least, it would throw some hints about frame sizing and such.

- Sunny G.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

Yeah, I'm wishing for this, but I don't think we're going to see it anytime soon.

The speculation about the game with be insane. At the very least, it would throw some hints about frame sizing and such.

- Sunny G.

They could reveal it without giving away any frame size hints. For example, put it together at the largest dimensions the frame possibly can go (something like 30x30), so it's ridiculously oversized for our purposes. Then just include a small note that says something like "This shows the maximum for each dimension possible with the KoP frame. This does not reflect legal robot dimensions for the 2014 season." Just about anyone who has been around for any length of time will realize that you'll have to cut a few members shorter to fit into the legal dimensions, and which members are chosen will define if you have a wide or long bot.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

They could reveal it without giving away any frame size hints. For example, put it together at the largest dimensions the frame possibly can go (something like 30x30), so it's ridiculously oversized for our purposes. Then just include a small note that says something like "This shows the maximum for each dimension possible with the KoP frame. This does not reflect legal robot dimensions for the 2014 season." Just about anyone who has been around for any length of time will realize that you'll have to cut a few members shorter to fit into the legal dimensions, and which members are chosen will define if you have a wide or long bot.

Most recent KOP frames have been marked with a small hole for the cut line to the smaller dimension. I would assume this one would have the same feature. Posting a picture to this community would lead to us probably figuring it out. The better question is why does anyone care about releasing frame size 3 months early. For about 8 years we knew frame size and it was never an issue.

[Ben Martin]

We always appreciate AM's efforts, and given the information provided, there is a very good chance we'll pick the chassis option over the PDV again. Getting a frame on day 1 where we don't have to do much fabrication and every part is aligned correctly is hard to pass up. Gates' belt system is also awesome. We have ran it through 7 competitions with no issues, and we will happily use it again.

A couple requests, if Andy/others are watching, which I'm sure you all have probably considered:
1) Making the length/width ratio a little less this year in the long configuration to improve turning
2) Making the drive shaft of the center wheel hex if possible, so interfacing a VEXPro transmission is easier and the system comes together without keys.