What to know?

[steinra]

Core basic tool identification and safe usage. That way you can focus on the core robot stuff and not basic tools with the other team.

Basic hand tools, basic wire identification, wire striping, color codes used, soldering, etc. If you have gaps in this area that is OK, but these may be easer to find help with outside of the precious time you will have with the other team.

If you have the tools down that is great! When we started with our second team as rookies we had students not know the basic hand tools, like what a Phillips screw driver was.

Next is a good idea of what each student would like to try to focus on this year. They will still get lots of exposure to other aspects of the team, but pairing them up with the right folks from the other team would be helpful.

A couple of students really learn the electrical parts, others how to set up the software and control system. Then the others can focus on mechanical design aspects.

Divide and conquer!

Randy