FTC - Tetrix kit vs. Matrix kit?

[orangemoore]

Originally Posted by Andrew Rudolph

Whenever students or other teams ask me for FRC as to using a certain component (usually mecanum drive) I always say to them "look at what you have seen on Einstein"

If my team ever gets close to einstein I will make it my life's work that a set of mecanum wheels makes it on to the robot as ballast.

As for the debate here, we don't really use much of the either kit but we use tetrix because we already have the very large inventory. I don't think we will switch unless we have too. I think that as each year passes, less and less will be restricted.

[Andrew Rudolph]

Originally Posted by orangemoore

If my team ever gets close to einstein I will make it my life's work that a set of mecanum wheels makes it on to the robot as ballast.

Yeah Technically there were mecanums there this year in the gripper of 2590 but not in the drive base.

[RRLedford]

Our FTC team 3507 has used only Tetrix kits for 5 seasons now, but with the relaxed material rules of the last 2 years, we are phasing out use of very much of the Tetrix channel in favor of 20mm slotted framing with 10-32 assembly H/W.

As noted, the Tetrix axles are horribly weak and ill suited to high torque with bidirectional rotation. We will not use them for anything but low torque transfer purposes. The hollow 5/8" tube end fitting scheme, though improved with new parts is still not great either.

Tetrix channel is good for quick prototyping. There are also useful tricks, that allow overcoming some of its weaknesses. Some are shown in PICs below:

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

As an FRC Coach that is ready to start one (possibly two) FTC teams in the Middle School ranks - I am a bit concerned after reading these posts.

I thought that by going with one or the other kits (Tetrix vs. Matrix) either would be a great building block.

Now I am concerned about spending that type of money on either if they both have severe disadvantages.

Where do I go from here? I do not want to strap my future coach(es) with sub-par equipment.

Don't forget the 3rd option: VRC using the Vex equipment. If VRC's strong Middle School presence, VRC's year-round calendar/season, the timing and location of VRC tournaments in your area, the tech support infrastructure available, VEX equipment's pricing/reliability, VEX integration into Project Lead The Way classroom curricula, and the VRC program's worldwide reach match your needs; then by all means have it on your list of possible programs and equipment for your students.

Because each VRC season begins the day after the prior VRC world championship (mid-April), middle school students (who often *need* it) typically can enjoy a nice long build season before the North American tournament season is in full-swing, and they can study southern hemisphere teams' progress to get field-tested construction and strategy ideas.

The BEST program and equipment might be another option.

FTC/VRC/BEST/etc. all give students fun and inspiring experiences and challenges. Be a wise consumer and review them all to see which one matches your students' needs.

GBlake

[Colton Mehlhoff]

Originally Posted by JTN

I can post some pictures if requested, but I'm too lazy to resize them all until then.

I would love to see some pictures if it isn't too much of a hassle John.

I'm new to the Matrix kit. If you could modify it in a way, what would you modify?

[JTN]

Originally Posted by Colton Mehlhoff

I would love to see some pictures if it isn't too much of a hassle John.

I'm new to the Matrix kit. If you could modify it in a way, what would you modify?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...17-02-28_5.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c...-50-18_416.jpg
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...6.jpg~original

Only 2 Matrix pieces had to be cut on the entire robot to assemble it. I'd make the set screws more resilient - they have a nasty tendency to come loose.

-JTN

[robotsrule]

Robogamers made a video reviewing the Tetrix Kit of Parts as well as building both the tetrix ranger bot and the matrix bot. You can see the two side by side. Here are the links:

Robogamers tetrix kit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDSCy-9WVfA

Tetrix Ranger bot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnt3EVZaCxQ

Matrix Quick Start bot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy4cswZ_Iqk

Some of the other videos may help out your new team members as well.
Hope it helps.

[Zaque]

Originally Posted by Andrew Rudolph

Yeah Technically there were mecanums there this year in the gripper of 2590 but not in the drive base.

Don't forget 1625's pickup.