Things to bring to an event

[ATannahill]

If it was not filled out online you need to bring consent and release forms.

In addition to what you listed you need the following:

Safety glasses
Good walking/standing shoes
Driver station console (with laptop running the newest driver station software)
Common sense
A sense of humor

In regards to tools, I suggest a small flat head screw driver for your electrical board and a long ethernet or usb A to B cable to tether with.

You mentioned game pieces. So you know, the game pieces for the actual matches are provided by FIRST. (I know this sound obvious, but I have had to tell teams that they didn't need to bring their litter pool noodles to the field.)

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by rtfgnow

If it was not filled out online you need to bring consent and release forms.

In addition to what you listed you need the following:

Safety glasses
Good walking/standing shoes
Driver station console (with laptop running the newest driver station software)
Common sense
A sense of humor

In regards to tools, I suggest a small flat head screw driver for your electrical board and a long ethernet or usb A to B cable to tether with.

You mentioned game pieces. So you know, the game pieces for the actual matches are provided by FIRST. (I know this sound obvious, but I have had to tell teams that they didn't need to bring their litter pool noodles to the field.)

I updated my Driver Station last week... Almost forgot to do it! But if my controllers are not up to date, what should I do?

And, I know game pieces are provided! But if I want something to play with on the practice field, I need to bring boulders!

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by EDesbiens

I updated my Driver Station last week... Almost forgot to do it! But if my controllers are not up to date, what should I do?

And, I know game pieces are provided! But if I want something to play with on the practice field, I need to bring boulders!

Yes bring a boulder or 2.

Remember to update everything before you leave the event or at least download it.
DS, Labview, Java, your PDB, PCM, RIO, ect

Your controllers do not require an update or FRC specific software at all.

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

Yes bring a boulder or 2.
Your controllers do not require an update or FRC specific software at all.

I meant motor controllers!

So I can download the updates before the event and install them there?

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by EDesbiens

So I can download the updates before the event and install them there?

Update your driver station laptop before you get there. I presume you can't update your RoboRio, CANTalons, etc. because they're currently in a bag, but get the firmware files ready on your PC and know exactly how to do the firmware update so that you can do it quickly when you get there.

(Hint: I would do it BEFORE they ask you to flash your robot radio to competition firmware, because there is a chance you will struggle with connection and IP issues afterward. You will fix any such issues eventually, but you will be much less stressed if you have already done the updating beforehand.

The goal is to go as quickly as possible from unbagging the robot to being fully inspected and ready to compete on the practice field.

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

Update your driver station laptop before you get there. I presume you can't update your RoboRio, CANTalons, etc. because they're currently in a bag, but get the firmware files ready on your PC and know exactly how to do the firmware update so that you can do it quickly when you get there.

I tried to connect to them but the ethernet cable wont go through plastic!

I'll try to get every firmware update ready then... Should have thought about that during build season!

[jweston]

One thing I didn't see in the thread or in the admin manual list is battery spill kit.

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by jweston

One thing I didn't see in the thread or in the admin manual list is battery spill kit.

True! Didn't think about that one at all!

[EDesbiens]

I went looking for the list GeeTwo mentionned... Here it is if someone is curious/lazy...

TOOL BOX ITEMS

■ Ball driver set / nut driver set
■ Batteries and Charger
■ Box cutter
■ Broom (small, for team Pit cleanup)
■ Cable ties / connectors / rubber bands
■ C-Clamp, large, medium, small
■ Cutters
■ Deburring tool
■ Dremel tool/accessories
■ Drill - cordless w/charger
■ Drill bit set
■ Flashlight
■ Glue, super and/or glue stick
■ Hacksaw and blades
■ Hammer (ball peen & brass)
■ Heat gun
■ Leatherman-type tool
■ Level, small
■ Lithium grease, spray can
■ Magnet on a stick
■ Paint brush
■ Pliers - large, small, needle nose assort.
■ Power outlet strip/extension cord (2)
■ Power screwdriver
■ Saber saw/wood & metal blades
■ Sandpaper - various grits
■ Screws - nuts - washers
■ Screw driver assortment, flat and
■ Phillips
■ Shrink tubing
■ Socket set – 1/4”, 3/8” drive
■ Soldering iron (electric), solder, wick, flux
■ Spare parts
■ Square - small, medium
■ Tap & die set/assorted taps
■ Tape
■ Clear
■ Electrical
■ masking
■ Tape measure / ruler
■ Tin snips
■ Tweezers / scissors
■ USB stick/drive
■ Vice grip - large, small
■ Volt meter
■ WD-40 / lithium grease, spray can
■ Wire terminal crimpers / Wire strippers
■ Work gloves- several pairs
■ Wrenches, Allen, crescent, open and box
■ X-Acto type knife and blades

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

■ Banners - Corporate signs & flags for team Pit
■ Camera and film, disposable
■ Cart for moving robot
■ Drop light
■ Epoxy
■ File folder box for paperwork
■ Hand truck
■ Laptop / software / cables / discs
■ Manual and updates
■ Medical Release Forms
■ Message board - dry erase marker set
■ Notepads / spiral notebook / clipboard
■ Paper / Sticky Notes
■ Paper towels and paper cups
■ Pens / pencils / sharpies / markers
■ Portable printer
■ Release form for each person, completed
■ Seat(s) for team Pit (small, foldable)
■ Schedule to set up and break down team Pit
■ Spray cleaner
■ Stapler / staples
■ Storage box / bins- trinkets & trash (buttons)
■ Team roster and contact information
■ Trash can (small) / trash bags
■ Plastic zip type bags

PERSONAL ITEMS

■ Alcohol Prep Pads / First Aid Tape
■ Anti-Nausea or Diarrhea Medication
■ Cough Drops / Sore Throat Medicine
■ Eye Wash And Drops
■ Facial Tissues/ Cotton Balls / Wet Cloths/
■ Feminine Products
■ First Aid Kit - Band-Aids / Blister Kit / Ice Pack
■ Hand Sanitizer / Liquid Soap
■ Insect Sting Medicine / Insect Repellent
■ OTC Pain Medication; i.e., Aspirin, etc…
■ Safety Glasses
■ Sewing Kit (Small)
■ Sunscreen / Sunburn Spray / Aloe Vera Gel

[EricH]

If you bring game pieces, clearly label them with your team number. This helps keep them off the field if you forget they're in your robot, and helps them find their way home if you loan them out.

[GreyingJay]

Depending on the complexity of your robot you can be a little judicious about what tools and raw materials you bring to the pit. Remember there's (very) limited space there.

Some teams do the "kitchen sink" approach and bring giant tool chests filled with tools and fasteners and spares. "Just in case" you decide to cobble together something completely new and unexpected, or complete a repair you weren't planning on. You will also be the best friend of any other team who needs that one obscure part or tool.

You could also pack only the things you're likely to need. If you've standardized on 1/4-20 and 10-32 fasteners, do you need to bring your team's entire 400-piece socket set, or could you get by with a far more portable 50-piece set?

Don't forget to bring a nice long Ethernet cable (15-25 feet) for use in your pit or in the practice field - wireless connections are not allowed. I would suggest bringing several in case you accidentally snap off the little locking pin on the RJ-45 connector.

Don't forget the most important thing: buttons to hand out

[EDesbiens]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

Don't forget the most important thing: buttons to hand out

But... Buttons are expensive to buy from another team! So is a machine to make them... And, how can I have the time to make them myself?!? Anyone wants to gift some?

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by EDesbiens

But... Buttons are expensive to buy from another team! So is a machine to make them... And, how can I have the time to make them myself?!? Anyone wants to gift some?

Hahaha!

Probably too late then for this regional but here are a few Canadian suppliers we have used, that have good prices for buttons:

sixcentpress.com
buttonbros.com