**FIRST EMAIL**/2008 FRC Competition Manual Sections Posted

[AcesPease]

A suggestion regarding missed practice and excessive machining in the pits. I know stuff happens, but if every team tries to have there robot ready to practice by the final weekend of build, more robots will be ready to practice and be inspected right out the box at the regional.

PS I admit that my team has been a pretty big offender on this issue

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by AcesPease

A suggestion regarding missed practice and excessive machining in the pits. I know stuff happens, but if every team tries to have there robot ready to practice by the final weekend of build, more robots will be ready to practice and be inspected right out the box at the regional.

PS I admit that my team has been a pretty big offender on this issue

Bill,

So has my team.

If you know you have Thursday to finish up stuff, you tend to guarantee that there will be stuff to finish up on Thursday. It's a kinda self-fulfilling prophesy...

Mike

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Pat Fairbank

I, for one, am glad to see that FIRST has already clearly addressed the issue of machine tools in the pits and team-provided machine shops in sections 3.9.13 and 3.9.14, respectively (instead of leaving it to the second week of regionals as in 2007).

The gist of it is that bench-top tools band saws, drill presses, sanders, CNCs and the like are permitted, as are team-provided mobile machine shops if they provide their own liability coverage and power supply.

I'm very glad to see this, too. The Thunderchickens are due to visit St. Louis, a Week 1 event again this year. With a little preparation, these policies on power tools should allow them operate the way they wanted to last year. It is good to have reasonable rules spelled out in advance so everyone knows what to expect.

As has been discussed extensively in other threads, teams participating in Week 1 events deserve the same advantages as those who participate later in the season. Props to FIRST for making their power tool policy clear well in advance.

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by Billfred

(Alright, so I wouldn't mind if FIRST standardized on the use of the title of "Regional Champion" instead of alternating with "Regional Winner" in half of the places...but that's another story.)

If you redline it, I will help you get it to the people who can update it.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Billfred

... (Alright, so I wouldn't mind if FIRST standardized on the use of the title of "Regional Champion" instead of alternating with "Regional Winner" in half of the places...but that's another story.)

Originally Posted by RoboMom

If you redline it, I will help you get it to the people who can update it.

Standardizing on one title would be good. I prefer "Winner" rather than "Champion" to describe teams on the alliance that wins the final elimination matches.

"Champion" would be appropriate for teams that are the sole representatives of one event to compete at a higher level -- but that's not the way FIRST works. Each Regional Event can be represented by several teams at the FRC Championship Event, and winning the eliminations is only one way that a team can become one of those representatives.

[Rich Kressly]

It looks like Richard, Jenny, Mike, and the crew have all of the major points already pointed out in the released sections of the 2008 FRC manual, except .... pssttttttt ..... WFFA entries .... the Holiday season is for giving .... plan it now, get a head start ... the robot needs to be built in six weeks, but there's NOTHING prohibiting your team from working on honoring your special leader - NOW. Need some inspiration (and samples)?
Here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=45026
and
Here: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=54710

Don't delay. You'll hate yourselves when you get 'too busy" in February.
For your reference, the 2008 Awards section is posted here:
http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...nt.aspx?id=452

Do it now. It's not about winning. It's about celebrating the finest inspirational examples we have.

Namaste.

[Rosiebotboss]

Originally Posted by AcesPease

A suggestion regarding missed practice and excessive machining in the pits. I know stuff happens, but if every team tries to have there robot ready to practice by the final weekend of build, more robots will be ready to practice and be inspected right out the box at the regional.

PS I admit that my team has been a pretty big offender on this issue

I suppose this is a shameless plug for Winter Warzone?? The pre season scrimmage sponsored by Aces High in Suffield, CT. A wonderful way to find out if your creation actually works, if your strategy is sound and get some stick time under game conditions.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Rosiebotboss

I suppose this is a shameless plug for Winter Warzone??

And a plug for all the preship scrimmages happening that weekend...

If you don't go to one of these events, you may be at a competitive disadvantage. See, the teams that go have seen the game, know how it is played, and have had scouting practice. Plus, non-functioning robots have a tendency to go to at least minimal functionality before the end of the day. You didn't go, your robot is still in pieces, you don't know what your chances are of doing well, and you don't know what everyone else is doing.

If you don't want to reveal your designs, a practice robot could be sent. An example: in 2005, 330 sent their refitted 2004 robot, set up to mimic the real one as well as possible, to the SCRRF Preship Scrimmage. This did not reveal the true design, as the base was completely different. In 2007, the same thing happened, except that the robot sent was the 2007 practice robot, which, unlike its competition counterpart, did not have ramps. The ramps came out at the regional and were a key factor in winning.

Also, some events have INSPECTIONS, which, while not official, can greatly help you get ready early so you can spend more time in the Filler Line.

[RoboMom]

***Off-topic***

Originally Posted by EricH

And a plug for all the preship scrimmages happening that weekend...

We call the one in this area "The Playday." Last year, when the first ringer went over the player station wall instead of through the slot we went scrambling for the rules, saying "wait a second!" Seems like there is a fun moment like that at the pre-ship scrimmage every year.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by RoboMom

Seems like there is a fun moment like that at the pre-ship scrimmage every year.

Tell me about it--one of the Beach'Bot alums was head ref at the SCRRF Preship for two years in a row, and both years he had to make a win-deciding call. (2002 (entaglement) and 2003 (definition of "on" the ramp))
Oh, and the tube over the wall was legal--I hope that's what you called it!

And another fun moment from SCRRF Preship: 2003. One team had a telescoping arm that they would swing out during auto and then take a swipe at the bins. The arm would then be retracted and held in the rest of the match. After multiple cases of ref, MC, and resetters diving for cover, they were told to not use it until it was under control.... See, another reason for going--you can find out your chances of being thrown off the field for a safety violation!

[JaneYoung]

As a 2007 rookie team, FRC 2158, AusTIN CANS, invited the Austin area teams to a pre-ship mini-meet. It was very helpful. We were able to try out our ramps and see what worked and what didn't work. Hopefully, if there is one this year, more teams will attend and gain valuable experience - and - make new friends.

[synth3tk]

Sounds like a well-rounded manual this year. I like the filler line insert. Should make for more productive fixit time before competition.

[Off-Topic]
On the subject of pre-ship scrimmages, I've never heard of this ritual. Anyone know of one near the Cleveland area?
[/Off-Topic]