Go to Post I think this is the forest that ChiefDelphi often misses as we're picking the branches off every tree. - Libby K [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > FIRST > General Forum
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
 
 
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 5 votes, 5.00 average. Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #35   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 22-02-2007, 03:01
Gabe's Avatar
Gabe Gabe is offline
Pocket Full of Tools
FRC #0604 (Quixilver)
Team Role: College Student
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Rookie Year: 2001
Location: California
Posts: 654
Gabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond reputeGabe has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Drive Systems... ...The FIRST Arms Race?

Bigger, badder drivetrains will only get you so far in the world of FIRST. The best and most successful robots are those who innovate and design conservatively. The best teams are those who understand their robot inside out, and understand design limitations and design advantages. In other words, the teams that have a knowledge of what they are doing are in my mind the best teams.

This year our drivetrain is using two large CIM motors. And they do just fine, working great with our custom transmission. I will definately say that our drivetrain is modest compared to other, but mechanically it works, and that is key. I have seen many other teams with outrageous transmissions that are being pushed to (and sometimes beyond) their limits. Mentioned before, defense will only get you so far. Last year at SVR a student said something that I will always remember, that " defense doesn't show up on rankings". Teams that score point will always move the crowd.

I believe that FIRST includes too many motors. Really, 4 CIMs is really unecessary, as they simply seem to encourage teams to use them in tandem and the two large CIM minibike motors. I think FIRST should eliminate some of these drivetrain motors. My suggestion to encourage creative design is to change the rules to allow teams to dissasemble the window motors to use their electric motors, while at the same time allowing only two small CIMs and two large minibike CIMs for the robot.

I also want FIRST to bring back great games like 2004 and before. From waht I have heard, I missed out on the greatest game ever played, and from 2005 till today the field has been pretty much the same. I want FIRST to go back to having more obsacles and game pieces so that teams must dedicate themselves to specific tasks. This year I have seen FIRST make a move toward this, as teams are making hard choices in going with ramps, arms, or a combination of both. So I like where FIRST seems to be headed.
__________________
Team site: Q U I X I L V E R
My favorite tool is my imagination; I’m always finding new ways to use it.
Reply With Quote
 


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
paper: Omnidirectional Drive Systems Ian Mackenzie Technical Discussion 2 28-05-2006 14:22
Drive Systems Alex Cormier Technical Discussion 3 11-01-2005 16:07
FIRST impacting the presidential race? Tom Bottiglieri Rumor Mill 5 03-11-2004 18:04
Drive Systems Sachiel7 Technical Discussion 6 24-03-2003 16:10
drive systems Greg Perkins Technical Discussion 0 13-01-2003 09:40


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 00:31.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi