Need advices from veterans!

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by EricH

We did... I think the best we did was 4 laps, after changing sprockets at the event.

What were the ratios and were you guys hurdlers.

[Vikesrock]

There's a lot of good advice here but there is one key resource I don't see being mentioned. The mentors and veteran students on your team are some of if not the best resources for learning about the process.

I agree with the sentiment that it is best to start out by being an expert in one system. Do to the way our team formed I did not have that luxury, but I wish I had. Select a system, then find a vet or mentor on your team that worked on that system last year. Have them go through last year's 'bot with you and explain how that system works. ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS! Have them explain to you how it was made from an idea in someones head all the way to it's final form.

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS! Have them explain to you how it was made from an idea in someones head all the way to it's final form.

This is extremely important and feel to ask anyone, FIRST participants and Mentors would love to help.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

What were the ratios and were you guys hurdlers.

Standard toughbox inside; I recall we ended up with about a 1:1 (after a 1:3 was too slow) from there to the wheels. We weren't hurdlers; we would have liked to be, but we had a variety of issues that had to be fixed.

[Liz Smith]

My advice is to be at a lot of meetings, listen, and watch. Ask questions about something until you're able to explain that thing to someone else.

Looking at successful robots is a great way to learn about the different options there are for building a robot. I would suggest also looking at some of the less successful robots as well. Figure out why robot A is more successful than robot B. Maybe they decided to use acrylic sheets instead of lexan to protect components, but quickly realized upon impact it shatters all over the field. You can learn from their mistakes without actually making the mistake yourself.

Don't be afraid to ask your mentors and teammates questions. At competition, don't be afraid to ask other teams questions, most are more than willing to explain components.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by jab0ii

I wish to accumulate enough knowledge that I can literally build a First robot myself when I'm a senior. Any advices will be appreciated!

A couple of thoughts:

The people holding a lot of the knowledge that you seek, are your mentors. Spend time listening to them, working with them, observing them. Many FIRST mentors love to share their knowledge and their wisdom and your time on the team will grow in value by appreciating and learning from their experiences.

The second thought is that if you accumulate enough knowledge by the time that you are a senior, you will be able to literally build a FIRST robot as a member of a team, having learned to work together - everyone doing their part.

Good luck with this!
Jane

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Lowfategg

Then again, it is good to have someone that understand each part of the robot somewhat well. I think they usually call that person the build leader.

Actually, most of the time he's called a manager, and is the butt-end of every joke that the guys who do the actual work can come up with....

[Andrew Schreiber]

First suggestion, keep up the attitude, learning is always a good thing.

Second suggestion, specialize. Too many times have I seen robots that tried to do everything fail because they were mediocre at everything. Alliances are there for a reason, you need to surround yourself with people who complement your skills and abilities. And if my anecdote is too subtle, there is a reason that FIRST is not about individuals, FIRST is about teaching students that they CANT do everything but instead need to work together to accomplish a goal, chances are that you wont be able to build the best FRC robot on your own, but if you can do one thing well and you find people who do the other things you will build a better machine than if you did it alone. Or for those of you know prefer SQL code:

DECLARE @Robot INT
SELECT @Robot = SUM(Skills) FROM Students WHERE Contributed = 1

That being said, after you specialize there is nothing wrong with broadening your horizons, and never ever be afraid to say, "you know, I dont like doing this anymore." and to change your goals.

Disclaimer: I am not saying not to have a goal of being able to build a robot yourself, I am saying that while that is a great goal, do not kid yourself into thinking you are the best at all things. Accept help and give it often.

Also, I applaud your decision to commit to robotics, I just encourage you to ask yourself why you do it. Ask yourself often and if you cant find a reason perhaps take the time to sit down and ask yourself where you are going and if it helps you towards your goals. (This applies to all things in life)

[Herodotus]

The best thing you can do, in my experience, is specialize in one field, but also learn a bit in everything else.

More important than that, however, is deciding where you are learning from. Online workshops and these forums are good resources but they have nothing on good mentors. Your mentors are the greatest source of information you have access to, and what really set FIRST apart from just learning about these things. Use your mentors as much as you can, always listen to their advice and always be willing to ask questions and actively learn from them.

I cannot stress enough that you need to make the absolute most of your mentors, as they are better than any book or website or anything.

[gorrilla]

asking lots of questions really is the best way to learn something


and CAD is a great tool to use in designing a robot





now my team needs to get on that

[lynca]

Originally Posted by Lowfategg

Best resource I have found so far.

http://first.wpi.edu/

Watch some of the workshop videos, some are better than others.

I agree with the wpi link , There are a few other sites as well that organize material in different ways.

http://www.mentorsearch.us/training

http://www.mvrt.com/2008/resources/trainings.php

http://www.fsrobotics.org/moe365//mo.../moementum.php

[Anna B.]

My advice? Don't just watch and listen, get in there and do it. You can learn a lot from doing, just don't be afraid to make mistakes. You should take those mistakes and learn from them.
-Anna