Changing the face of the game..

[archiver]

Posted by Michael Martus.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Coach on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central H.S. and Delphi Automotives Systems.

Posted on 11/10/99 5:21 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: Imaging a modular tank... posted by Chris on 11/10/99 11:57 AM MST:



The so called high budget teams have access to computers that will image and test the ideas ( students participate ) This means that there is still an advantage, even more so, because if a low budget team destroys a component, they most likly have less resources to manufacture repair units from prints whereas if they had the component in their hands for several days they can repair at a much lower cost and not have to build an additional component.

I may be alone on this one but ..........

I would prefer that there be no restriction on having the robot during the competition. If the season is 12 weeks start( kick-off ) to nationals then we use all our talents to evolve the best robot possible in that time period - unrestricted.

Just think of the awesome robots at the nationals!

If you only went to 1 regional and the national then you have practice and refinement time. If you go to many then.. well other than time in competition it is the same for all teams.

My three cents worth ( inflation ).

[archiver]

Posted by Chris.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monster, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.

Posted on 11/11/99 10:43 AM MST


In Reply to: Re: Imaging a modular tank... posted by Michael Martus on 11/10/99 5:21 PM MST:



Good points. I completely agree with letting everyone have the robots full time. I think that would be the best playing field leveler.

: The so called high budget teams have access to computers that will image and test the ideas ( students participate ) This means that there is still an advantage, even more so, because if a low budget team destroys a component, they most likly have less resources to manufacture repair units from prints whereas if they had the component in their hands for several days they can repair at a much lower cost and not have to build an additional component.

: I may be alone on this one but ..........

: I would prefer that there be no restriction on having the robot during the competition. If the season is 12 weeks start( kick-off ) to nationals then we use all our talents to evolve the best robot possible in that time period - unrestricted.

: Just think of the awesome robots at the nationals!

: If you only went to 1 regional and the national then you have practice and refinement time. If you go to many then.. well other than time in competition it is the same for all teams.

: My three cents worth ( inflation ).

[archiver]

Posted by Greg Mills.

Engineer on team #16, Baxter Bomb Squad, from Mountain Home and Baxter Healthcare.

Posted on 11/11/99 6:28 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: Imaging a modular tank... posted by Chris on 11/11/99 10:43 AM MST:




I hope we never go longer than six weeks. Six is the limit that my boss and my wife would tolerate. If it goes to a longer time frame FIRST will lose a great many of its current supporters. If you think the burnout factor bears discussing now....just wait!! For this program to be sustainable we must keep people involved long term.

[archiver]

Posted by Chris.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Coach on team #308, Walled Lake Monster, from Walled Lake Schools and TRW Automotive Electronics.

Posted on 11/12/99 2:52 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: Imaging a modular tank... posted by Greg Mills on 11/11/99 6:28 PM MST:



I might argue that the burnout is caused from the intensity of the 6 weeks. If the time was spread out the intensity would drop perhaps causing burnout to be less. However, I can't prove that; it's just a theory.

:
: I hope we never go longer than six weeks. Six is the limit that my boss and my wife would tolerate. If it goes to a longer time frame FIRST will lose a great many of its current supporters. If you think the burnout factor bears discussing now....just wait!! For this program to be sustainable we must keep people involved long term.

[archiver]

Posted by Dodd Stacy.

Engineer on team #95, Lebanon Robotics Team, from Lebanon High School and CRREL/CREARE.

Posted on 11/11/99 1:18 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: Imaging a modular tank... posted by Michael Martus on 11/10/99 5:21 PM MST:



Michael,

I'm with you. I'd much rather have a 12 week project. It would seriously upgrade the caliber of the machines and the competition. And it seems most equal.

Dispensing with crating and shipping, at least for the events that teams drive to, could also be a major economy. We didn't figure out the most economical shipping by any means, but our truck freight bill last year was $800 to Hartford and Orlando from New Hampshire!

I'm not totally convinced though that the resource limited teams are all that disadvantaged in repairing breakage. First, I don't think it violates the spirit to strip off a broken part for repair/strengthening between events, even with the new shipping rule. Others may disagree. Second, a broken part is probably under designed for the abuse it had to absorb (probably not envisioned at the design stage) and would likely need redesign and fabrication of a stronger part, rather than just repair of the broken original.

My thoughts, one penny.

Dodd