Load in and pits

[ROULT]

Hi everybody

We have a question regarding the schedule for tomorrow...

It says that load in can be done at 1 pm.

Can we start working on the robot at that time?

Or do we need to wait for 4:00pm?

Thanks and good luck to all!

4403

[Jaci]

You have to wait until 4:00PM to begin work on your Robot, although you can get it inspected between 1:00PM and 4:00PM if memory serves me correctly.

[TDav540]

Originally Posted by Jaci

You have to wait until 4:00PM to begin work on your Robot, although you can get it inspected between 1:00PM and 4:00PM if memory serves me correctly.

I'm reasonably certain that this is part true. You can't have anyone in the pits other than your 5 load-in members between 1 and 4, and most teams use the time to set up their pit......however, it's not illegal to work on the robot with the 5 load-in members. The lack of inspector-approved unbagging helps a lot with that.

[rich2202]

I am a robot inspector at Champs, and you can start working on your robot right away. They are having us ready to start inspections at 1:00 pm.

So, uncrate and unbag your robot right away, and get in the weighin line as soon as possible.

BTW: If you can get your robot inspected, it also means you can work on your robot too. So, if you have to attach 20#, then attach 20#, and then get in the line to weighin.

[mjc49]

Yes you may start working on your bot right at 1. Be sure to move your crate to the end of the aisle as soon as you are ready for it to be moved to storage.

[araniaraniratul]

@rich2202, any idea when the Practice Fields are free to use?

[ATannahill]

Originally Posted by araniaraniratul

@rich2202, any idea when the Practice Fields are free to use?

From the A to Z Guide:

Practice Fields: On Wednesday, practice fields are only open for robots that have completed inspection and will be available for tethered operation on a first come, first served basis. A maximum of 15 minutes per use per turn is available. On Thursday and Friday, if you wish to practice running your robot during practice matches on the full Practice Fields, all spots will be filled via first come, first served filler lines available at the entrance to the fields. You must run your robot wirelessly on the practice field on Thursday and Friday. Remember to review your team's match schedules before getting in line for the practice field. Additional practice areas will be available for first-come-first-served tethered operation and can be found on the venue map. Please keep safety in mind when using these areas. Detailed information about practice fields can be found here: http://www.firstchampionship.org/sit...ice-fields.pdf.

The link from the A to Z guide does not seem to be working, this appears to be the proper link.

[jodge1706]

Originally Posted by araniaraniratul

@rich2202, any idea when the Practice Fields are free to use?

I am volunteering and are assigned to work practice fields. They said for practice field volunteers to be ready to work at 5, so I imagine sometime near there maybe...

[pipsqueaker]

What about camera calibration, is there a time set out for that?

[mwmac]

Originally Posted by pipsqueaker

What about camera calibration, is there a time set out for that?

8:00 am to 8:30am tomorrow

http://www.firstchampionship.org/sit...c-schedule.pdf

[Kevin Sevcik]

I actually think the answer to this is vague, but it probably doesn't matter at this point because it's past 1PM and teams are right now loading in and working on robots regardless.

Anyways, my reasoning is that R16-C says you can only work on the robot while the pits are open, and the FRC team schedule says the pits aren't open until 4PM. Of course the A to Z guide contradicts that an says the pits are open (for Team Load-in) at 1PM.

On the one hand, giving people more time to work on things is good. On the other hand, that could be a 3-hour head start for the people that were at the head of the line. Which is pretty significant on such a short practice/inspection day.

[346CADmen]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

I actually think the answer to this is vague, but it probably doesn't matter at this point because it's past 1PM and teams are right now loading in and working on robots regardless.

On the one hand, giving people more time to work on things is good. On the other hand, that could be a 3-hour head start for the people that were at the head of the line. Which is pretty significant on such a short practice/inspection day.

I have full appreciation for your statement. Had the same issue at CHS District Champs. Load in at 5, how ever many teams must have been let in early as their elaborate pits were fully set up at 5:15. This allowed them that much more time to work/practice.
My suggestion is to allow a given time for load in/set up then an un-bag time at a later point.

[FrankJ]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

I actually think the answer to this is vague, but it probably doesn't matter at this point because it's past 1PM and teams are right now loading in and working on robots regardless.

Since I have been going to Champs (2010), you have always been able to start work as soon as you uncrated your robot. What is a bit confusing is Pits opened for teams (limited to 5) at 1:00 and to the public at 4:00. Anyway First makes & enforces the rules. They can interpret them any way they want.