Team Update #6 is Out

[EricH]

Team update #6 is on the FIRST website: http://www2.usfirst.org/2007comp/Upd...pdate%2006.pdf

No major changes, just some clarifications.

[Adam Richards]

Originally Posted by EricH

Team update #6 is on the FIRST website: http://www2.usfirst.org/2007comp/Upd...pdate%2006.pdf

No major changes, just some clarifications.

No major changes?!

The Autodesk Visualization Design Award for Regional Competitions has been posted under Section 5 of the 2007 manual,

That's major.

http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...on _2007_.pdf

[Ian Curtis]

Actually, there is a big update. Please, use your tether. Don't use your radios. If you lose control of your robot, your disable switch does not work until your controller reconnects with your OI, which can take several seconds.

Originally Posted by Update from IFI:

The 2007 Robot Controller has an issue where the Robot can continue to run for about 1 second (the lost Link timeout) after a Link has been lost. The Robot will continue to execute the last 2 received commands repetitively (a run-on condition) until the lost Link timeout occurs. If the RC is intermittently missing data packets, the run-on can be extended to a few seconds. An example would be where the Robot may be running at a maximum speed when missing data occurs resulting in the Robot continuing to run at maximum speed for a few seconds. We recommend Tethering for your prototyping until this issue is corrected.

[waialua359]

A very important IFI notice that some teams including ours, is having a very hard time with.
Hope it doesnt happen to a rookie team who may not have last year's radios.

[Shelbo]

In update 6 it states;
"The sprockets provided in the 2007 Kit of Parts were custom manufactured for FIRST and
are not COTS parts. As such, only the two 24-tooth sprockets received in the Kit may be
used on your Robot. Teams are welcome to fabricate equivalent parts from COTS items.
Comparable COTS #35, 24-tooth sprockets are available from vendors such as Innovation
First, McMaster-Carr, and others. You may have to make modifications to these sprockets
in order to mount them to your wheels, get sufficient spacing for your chain, etc. In this
scenario, the additional sprockets would be considered modified COTS items."

Our team custom-made a sprocket with more than 24 teeth (not sure of the actual number). According to the parts use flowchart it is legal, according to the update it appears that it is not. Which is correct?

[dtengineering]

If you custom build something such as a sprocket during the build period then -- subject to cost and other rules -- it will be legal.

All they are saying, I believe, is that you cannot use (even if they are given to you from another team) more than two of the KOP sprockets.

Custom building is generally very much encouraged!

Jason

[Barry Bonzack]

They noted the interest in keeping the regional award. Way to go to everyone that has made their voices heard in this thread to get this award back. How many teams are going to start working on their animation now with half of the build season gone though? Even if your animation is completed, I fully suggest all animation teams go for this award even without the time that is missing.