Rookie Season 2014 - Lessons Learned

[ArtemusMaximus]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

A robot's drivetrain is always the most important thing. The second most important thing is the drivetrain, and so is the third.

I don't think the advice was intended to suggest that rookies should put a lot of engineering effort into developing a fancy drivetrain. It's just that the kit drivebase shouldn't be treated as a "black box" that gets handed to teams as an unquestioned given. It should be studied and understood, and there should be actual analysis applied to decisions about the frame dimensions, the size of the wheels, potential alternate gearboxes, etc.

I will tell you this. Our first full test run of the bot was our first game in regionals. So, putting ANY additional effort into any part of the bot (better drivetrain or otherwise) would effectively take us out of the competition.

[Samwaldo]

Originally Posted by ArtemusMaximus

WOW, you guys! way too organized!!!!

Not True. We did something this year similiar to a test that Sunday. We did a jeapordy game, with 8 teams. Its such an easy idea that really levels up the brainstorming process. I would highly recommend doing a rules test/game ASAP after the game reveal, because most rookies have never read a past manual. After years of games I know many, and just have to read new ones and changes.

Note: Favorite Rookie Mistake was this year. A rookie team wired everything in green wire because that was their team colors. They eventually won rookie inspiration if i remember correctly

[ArtemusMaximus]

Originally Posted by Samwaldo

Not True. We did something this year similiar to a test that Sunday. We did a jeapordy game, with 8 teams. Its such an easy idea that really levels up the brainstorming process. I would highly recommend doing a rules test/game ASAP after the game reveal, because most rookies have never read a past manual. After years of games I know many, and just have to read new ones and changes.

Ah, I see. Jeopardy game sounds good. I was just keep thinking from our experience point of view. We had maybe 2 meetings in December. So in our case if we would have "test" on kickoff day would mean that we would be highly organized

Originally Posted by Samwaldo

Note: Favorite Rookie Mistake was this year. A rookie team wired everything in green wire because that was their team colors. They eventually won rookie inspiration if i remember correctly

As long as it's proper gauge wire and they can navigate wires of same colour, I don't think it matters eh? But I would never do it myself, - too much extra work to back track "the way of the wire"

[pntbll1313]

Originally Posted by ArtemusMaximus

As long as it's proper gauge wire and they can navigate wires of same colour, I don't think it matters eh? But I would never do it myself, - too much extra work to back track "the way of the wire"

You do need to abide by Rule 49 though

R49
All non-SIGNAL LEVEL wiring with a constant polarity (i.e., except for outputs of relay modules, motor controllers, or sensor outputs) shall be color-coded as follows:

Red, white, brown, or black-with-stripe on the +24VDC, +12VDC, and +5VDC connections
Black or blue for the common or negative side (-) of the connections.

Wires that are originally attached to legal devices are considered part of the device and by default legal. Such wires are exempt from R49.

[DManz]

Originally Posted by ArtemusMaximus

Just received email from FRC reminder to share our rookie year experiences.
I will try to categorize so it's easy to read and hope this information will be helpful to future rookie teams.

1. FRC is not about building robots. In my opinion, it's about learning life skills while having "hardest fun you ever had" and letting others to have fun as well.
2. At the kick-off thoroughly check your Kit of Parts for missing items. If anything missing, especially key components, sound alarm right away. Time is of an essence. If parts cannot be provided right away from FRC, seek help from other veteran FRC Teams, because they may have spare parts they can share.
3. Read the rules. Read the rules again and then read rules 20 more times. We made a mistake of designating only 1 person to be responsible to know all the rules. Everybody need to know the rules in it's entirety. First, so you can follow the rules and second, that you can constructively and respectfully challenge judges, referees and inspectors if they happened to make a mistake.
4. There is more to rules than whats written.
   Seek help from veteran FRC teams. Especially when it's first year for everyone on the team.
5. Get as many parts that you can locally. Time is of an essence. Pay extra for quick delivery. Some of our orders took 3-4 weeks to arrive. It's a killer for 6 week project.
6. Students,
   • Treat mentors with utmost respect. Mentors take time from their families to help you by sharing knowledge, skills and abilities. It hurts deeply when students constantly disrespectfully interrupting. Even if you think that you know everything, treat mentors with respect.
   • Treat other students with respect. Firstly, it's a right and wise thing to do. Secondly, if you figure you know everything and can do everything - go and start your own team and see how that will turn out. Everybody has something to contribute.
   • Ask mentors questions and then listen to the answers. Mentors a lot to contribute, even if it's just a life experience. So soak as much as you can from their life experience, so it can help yours.
7. Teamwork. I find it that it's one of the hardest parts. Especially considering that in my experience a lot of technically inclined people tend to be introverts. Start team building as early as possible. Half way through 6 week building season is way too late. It'd be better to start in September . Plan some fun activities into the schedule.
8. Design. You are not here to reinvent the wheel. It's not cheating to take some design ideas from other teams or from other years. I mean, if you are capable to reinvent the wheel within FRC Rules constrains and time limitations, by all means - go for it. In that case you are probably won't be reading this anyways
   Once again, seek help from other teams. This forum is great resource with a lot of good people willing to help, just ask.
9. Prototyping. Get your idea into prototyping as soon as possible. I am talking about 2nd week at the absolute latest. Therefore, use local parts for prototyping. It usually translates to extra cost, but it's better that pulling your hair waiting for parts to arrive for 3-4 weeks to start on prototyping.

I have a feeling I am forgetting something that I wanted to mention. Oh well, it will come to me later.

I would highly agree with your points made. http://www.trex4935.com/blog-2/lessons-learned/ Here you can find the list of things that my team came up with for our rookie year. I believe that amount of work we put in before kickoff took place allowed us to acheieve what we were able to achieve. Especially about not reinventing the wheel. I believe this years rookies were some really strong teams and i cant wait to see what we bring the the plate as 2nd year teams for next season!

[Bmarshall645]

We started meeting in early October to discuss the possibilities of what the challenge could be and to read the rules of previous years games so we could better understand what to expect in January.

[ArtemusMaximus]

Originally Posted by DManz

I would highly agree with your points made. http://www.trex4935.com/blog-2/lessons-learned/ Here you can find the list of things that my team came up with for our rookie year. I believe that amount of work we put in before kickoff took place allowed us to acheieve what we were able to achieve. Especially about not reinventing the wheel. I believe this years rookies were some really strong teams and i cant wait to see what we bring the the plate as 2nd year teams for next season!

I am looking forward to next year as well. Now our city has 2 teams that have experience. So hopefully more teams will sprout. We need stronger show in Edmonton. City definitely can support many teams.

[ArtemusMaximus]

Originally Posted by pntbll1313

You do need to abide by Rule 49 though

R49
All non-SIGNAL LEVEL wiring with a constant polarity (i.e., except for outputs of relay modules, motor controllers, or sensor outputs) shall be color-coded as follows:

Red, white, brown, or black-with-stripe on the +24VDC, +12VDC, and +5VDC connections
Black or blue for the common or negative side (-) of the connections.

Wires that are originally attached to legal devices are considered part of the device and by default legal. Such wires are exempt from R49.

I stand corrected. It doesn't matter electrically, but matters FRC Rules wise. LOL