Team 217 - Thunderchickens

[Paul Copioli]

I was not going to post in this thread, but I have decided to just clear up some facts (some of which are in other posts on CD).

I will not respond to babycakes as I know who you are (gotta love technology) and will have an independent conversation with you when I am in Michigan this weekend.

Regarding our "outsourcing" to Texas -

From 2000 to 2004 our team had the Ford Van Dyke Transmission plant millwrights at our disposal. We could get machining, welding, etc. completed by them and we were not allowed to do it ourselves. We adapted our team workflow based around these limitations focusing on design, assembly, prototyping, and testing (why we usually use PVC in creative ways).

In 2004, the plant decided it would no longer provide these services, but allowed us to do it ourselves in our team room. As such, we purchased the mini lathe and mill you see in our pit at competitions. We also purchased two more lathes to use during build season. In addition, we had a student whose father ran a sheet metal shop in Michigan who offered to donate sheet metal parts if we made them in CAD and sent the solid models directly to them. I had no idea how to design sheet metal parts so I decided to ask around and learn about the process. I proceeded to teach the students who do design (about 12 each year) and we started our first robot made almost entirely from sheet metal (note, no TX yet).

2005 was a carbon copy of 2004, except JVN (then a College senior at Clarkson University) and I decided to give collaboration a try. 217 made the sheet metal for team 229 and 229 made some parts for 217. In addition, we had about 15 ThunderChicken students who learned how to use the mill and lathe. In 2005, 80% of our turned parts were manufactured by team 217 students. The sheet metal was made by the same Manufacturer as 2004.

In 2006, the company who made our sheet metal went out of business so we were back at square one from that standpoint. Coincidentally, JVN started working at this small company called IFI who just had built their own sheet metal shop 2 years prior. Since John had decided to take the year off in FIRST, I asked him if IFI was willing to make the sheet metal for team 217 if we designed it. He got with the two owners of IFI and they agreed. We have not turned back since.

On team 217 we usually have about 35 to 50 students. The majority of them work on the robot. A few of them are dedicated to our PR team. about 12 students are involved with design and the rest do prototyping. We prototype everything.

With every aspect of our team we try to keep it 50% student - 50% mentor. Since the sheet metal is manufactured by our sponsor, we make sure that the students are the ones touching the robot in most cases. Occasionally, the students will ask for mentor help; but that is up to the students. We spend a great deal of effort to make sure all aspects of our team are 50 - 50 as that is part of our basic philosophy.

If anyone is curious as to how our team operates, please do not hesitate to ask any one of us. we will be more than happy to explain the what and the why. You may not agree, but that doesn't mean we are not inspiring our students.

In any case, I hope babycakes looks me up at Troy this weekend as I really do want to clear this up.

Paul