Go to Post kids under stress poor eating habits even worse food walking around a cold ice rink all day contact with 100s of kids from all over the world = robo flu. Maybe the virus going around is the real "FIRST fever" - Wayne C. [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

 
Reply
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 7 votes, 5.00 average. Display Modes
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-03-2010, 08:33
Unsung FIRST Hero Woodie Flowers Award
Chris Fultz Chris Fultz is offline
My Other Car is a 500 HP Turbine
FRC #0234 (Cyber Blue)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Rookie Year: 1942
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 2,831
Chris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond reputeChris Fultz has a reputation beyond repute
What makes a "Powerhouse"?

"A prize fight is like a war; the real part is won or lost somewhere far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights." Mohammad Ali

This is a quote from Ali, and it is relevant to just about every activity we can take part in. The point Ali was trying to make was that it is the preparation that determines who comes out on top, that he did not win in the ring, he won in the days and weeks and months leading up to the fight.

FIRST Teams are the same way. There are many threads about the good teams, great teams, "powerhouse teams", and most of it centers on what they do during a 2 minute and 15 second match. I believe their performance is really driven by how they work during the build season, during the weeks of competition, and during the 8 months of the "off-season".

There are also threads about "haves" and "have-nots". But if you look at the list below, you will see that many of these defining activities don't take a lot of money, they don't take a huge corporate sponsor or a fancy machine shop.

But they do take time and commitment and dedication in the weeks and months leading up to March. And they do this year after year after year.

From watching and learning, both in FIRST and in "real life", here are some things that I believe the top teams do and things that any team can implement to help them improve -

Off-Season
(This is a time to learn from the previous season, to learn new skills, to design something unique, to recruit, to get sponsors, to work in the community.)

* Learn to use a CAD program - Inventor is included free to all teams and there are loads of tutorials.
* Practice driving an obstacle course
* Design and make something that might be of use in the next season (a pick up arm, a new style drive)
* Learn a new manufacturing skill - welding, mill, lathe
* Go to an off season event and compete (Many are under $250)
* Go to an off season event and volunteer
* Do some community out-reach
* Play with VEX or LEGO parts and make a prototype of something that could be used later
* Do a "lessons learned" on the previous season and write down what you did well, what could be better, and what you did not do.
* Shadow a "top" team and see how they work
* Celebrate, have fun, relax and become a team.
* Find new sponsors
* Talk to mentors of who you consider to be a “top” team. Most, if not all, of them will treat you like you were their own student and help you with what you ask.
* Go back and study the physics of your robot. This will help you learn what’s important for next year.


Build-Season
(Don't build anything on the robot the first week. Focus on the game, how to play, ideas, prototypes, models, etc.)

* Brainstorm ideas
* Understand the keys to the game, challenge each other
* Don't assume anything. Read the rules. Understand the rules. Ask Q+A.
* Prototype, sketch, make computer models, play with ideas
* Make a priority list of the critical components and work on them first
* Talk to others, read CD, continue to get ideas and be willing to adapt
* Practice, Practice, Practice - get something that the drivers can play with on a simulated field
* Focus on the details – it can be small, simple things that make the difference on the field, in the pits and in the stands.
* Don't worry about something being "mentor-done" or "student-done", focus on it being "team-done"

Competition-Season
(Continuous improvement and refinement of the robot, the strategy, the team)

* Continue to watch others and learn
* Continuous Improvement - adjust, modify, adapt, replace
(If the robot you have in June looks identical to the one you put in the crate on ship day in February, either you are brilliant, or you ignore the concept of continuous improvement)
* Review every match, every day, every competition - what could be better, what was great
* Make a plan / Assign roles
* Expect everyone to contribute and do their best to support the team in whatever their role is
* Celebrate every success

NOTE: I thnk these principles can apply to every aspect of a team.
__________________
Chris Fultz
Cyber Blue - Team 234
2016 IRI Planning Committee
2016 IndyRAGE Planning Committee
2010 - Woodie Flowers Award - Championship

Last edited by Chris Fultz : 24-03-2010 at 11:39.
Reply With Quote
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-03-2010, 08:50
Taylor's Avatar
Taylor Taylor is offline
Professor of Thinkology, ThD
AKA: @taylorstem
FRC #3487 (EarthQuakers)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Indianapolis, IN, USA 46227
Posts: 4,579
Taylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond reputeTaylor has a reputation beyond repute
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Request for sticky
__________________
Hi!
Reply With Quote
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-03-2010, 09:13
Sunshine's Avatar
Sunshine Sunshine is offline
Mr. S
FRC #2062 (C.O.R.E)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 482
Sunshine is a splendid one to beholdSunshine is a splendid one to beholdSunshine is a splendid one to beholdSunshine is a splendid one to beholdSunshine is a splendid one to beholdSunshine is a splendid one to beholdSunshine is a splendid one to beholdSunshine is a splendid one to behold
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Awesome,

Just one question, what is an off season?

Been doing this for four years now. I thought I was getting into a season that lasted a couple of months. Now Irealize that it is a 12 month job that I love. We do many of the things you suggest but you have taught me more.

Thanks
__________________
C.O.R.E. Community Of Robotic Engineers
2015 Wisconsin Regional Champs, Safety Award
2015 Midwest Regional Champs, Safety Award, Industrial Controls Award
2014 Midwest Regional Judges Award
2013 Lake Superior Champs
2012 World Championship Safety Award, World Finalist for the Autodesk Award
2011 Wisconsin Regional - Website Award 10,000 Lakes - Innovation in Control, Safety Award
2010 World Championship - Archimedes Semi-Finalists -World Finalist for the Autodesk Award
2010 10,000 Lakes Regional Champs, Entrepreneurship Award; Wisconsin Regional- Entrepreneurship Award, Safety Award
2009 WI Regional- Quality Award, Safety Award 10,000 Lakes - Safety Award, Motorola Quality Award, Animation Award
2008 World Championship Safety Award
2008 Wisconsin Regional Champs, Safety Award
2008 St. Louis Regional Entrepreneurship Award, Safety Award, Website Award
2007 Wisconsin Regional All-Star Rookie Award
Reply With Quote
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-03-2010, 11:18
Tetraman's Avatar
Tetraman Tetraman is offline
FIRST on my mind
AKA: Evan Raitt
no team
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Manchester, NH
Posts: 1,322
Tetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond reputeTetraman has a reputation beyond repute
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

I agree greatly with this this thread, and in an attempt to make it better, I pose this:

I'm going to say that most teams that call themselves the "have nots" lack the drive, will and spirit to actually do something about their situation. What brings many teams to their feet and possible disbandment is the complete disregard for what you posted above, especially on the point of finding new sponsors. But like I said, it's not a problem of "can you do it", it's a problem of "Do you want to do it" and you will find that many teams just don't want to do it. What then is the cure? You can spend all day talking about how important these things are but it's not going to change anyone's mind, or will change their mind and in a few weeks they'll forget it. And trying to point out the teams who have everything and how they got to their "powerhouse" status is only going to make them even less inclined.

But what's more interesting is when you find out that there are plenty of teams that don't do well each year, that don't have nearly enough resources, but still find a way to show up each season ready to go. I found those teams to be the teams more interested in FIRST as a whole and extracurricular activity rather then for the 1st place trophy. It is all mentality and how students think about FIRST and what it stands for. Good news is, this can be taught (I am said example) but it can only be taught to those who are willing. A team can be built of no one but those who don't want to listen and it will fail. Do we even want that kind of team in FIRST and should we be thankful they can't exist?

So what is the cure to empower teams the right way?
__________________
"For every great theory about design, there is a better and contradictory theory about design. And don't let the irony of that escape you."

Last edited by Tetraman : 24-03-2010 at 11:21.
Reply With Quote
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-03-2010, 12:40
David Brinza's Avatar
David Brinza David Brinza is offline
Lead Mentor, Lead Robot Inspector
FRC #0980 (ThunderBots)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 1,378
David Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond repute
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Thanks, Chris.

One of the really great things about FIRST is how the "Powerhouse" teams inspire excellence through all of FIRST. Those teams are so successful because they set the bar very high and still continue to look for improvements. Those teams want others to reach new levels of success as well. Instead of despising those teams, they should be looked as examples of how to do things better. Very few teams can match all of the capabilities or resources of the top tier of FRC teams, but there are plenty of things in Chris' list that can dramatically improve even the most constrained teams.

BTW, if you've never been to IRI, your missing a terrific opportunity to observe and learn from some of the best teams in FIRST at the top of their game. That event has been a source of inspiration for our team for years.
__________________
"There's never enough time to do it right, but always time to do it over."
2003 AZ: Semifinals, Motorola Quality; SoCal: Q-finals, Xerox Creativity; IRI: Q-finals
2004 AZ: Semifinals, GM Industrial Design; SoCal: Winners, Leadership in Controls; Championship: Galileo #2 seed, Q-finals; IRI: Champions
2005 AZ: #1 Seed, Xerox Creativity; SoCal: Finalist, RadioShack Controls; SVR: Winners, Delphi "Driving Tomorrow's Technologies"; Championship: Archimedes Semifinals; IRI: Finalist
2007 LA: Finalist; San Diego: Q-finals; CalGames: Finalist || 2008 San Diego: Q-finals; LA: Winners; CalGames: Finalist || 2009 LA: Semifinals; Las Vegas: Q-finals; IRI: #1 Seed, Finalist
2010 AZ: Motorola Quality; LA: Finalist || 2011 SD: Q-finals; LA: Q-finals || 2013 LA: Xerox Creativity, WFFA, Dean's List Finalist || 2014 IE: Q-finals, LA: Finalist, Dean's List Finalist
2016 Ventura: Q-finals, WFFA, Engineering Inspiration
Reply With Quote
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-03-2010, 13:11
ExTexan's Avatar
ExTexan ExTexan is offline
Parent and Volunteer
AKA: Richard Singletary
FRC #0548
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Northville, MI
Posts: 128
ExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant future
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Quote:
Request for sticky
Second request for sticky. Extremely well said. Pinning it on the classroom wall. Thanks.
__________________
What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.

2010 REFEREE: Kettering, Ann Arbor, Wayne State, Troy, MI Championship, Atlanta-Newton field, IGVC TARDEC, MARC and upcoming KETTERING Kickoff.
Reply With Quote
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 24-03-2010, 15:07
Rick Wagner's Avatar
Rick Wagner Rick Wagner is offline
Registered User
FRC #3008 (Kalani Robotics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 188
Rick Wagner is a splendid one to beholdRick Wagner is a splendid one to beholdRick Wagner is a splendid one to beholdRick Wagner is a splendid one to beholdRick Wagner is a splendid one to beholdRick Wagner is a splendid one to beholdRick Wagner is a splendid one to behold
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tetraman View Post
... But what's more interesting is when you find out that there are plenty of teams that don't do well each year, that don't have nearly enough resources, but still find a way to show up each season ready to go. ...
Year after year we are told at the events that "just by being here, you have already won," and it's so true. It sounds trite, I know, but listen to them. Every team that is there has won.
Reply With Quote
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 25-03-2010, 08:17
Peter Matteson's Avatar
Peter Matteson Peter Matteson is offline
Ambitious but rubbish!
FRC #0177 (Bobcat Robotics)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: South Windsor, CT
Posts: 1,651
Peter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond reputePeter Matteson has a reputation beyond repute
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

I feel like you forgot one of the important things that everyone one seems to forget.

HAVE FUN: Knowing when to relax and walk away/take a break to prevent burn out and overly stressing your team members is very important. I think you'll find a lot of top teams have a game night, play dodge ball, and have team dinners or other non-working get togethers to keep everyone fresh and reuvenated and remind them of the other important part of the program.

At the end of build we always take a week off and do no robot related things for a week as a cool down. Also the mentors usually have what we call the widows and orphans breakfast where our spouses, signifcant others, and children all go out to breakfast with us at the end of build.
__________________
2011 Championship Finalists/Archimedes Division Championships w/ 2016 & 781
2010 Championship Winners/Newton Division Champions
Thank-you 294 & 67

2009 Newton Division Champions w/ 1507 & 121
2008 Archimedes Division Champions w/ 1124 & 1024
2007 Championship Winners/Newton Division Champions w/190, 987 & 177 The Wall of Maroon
2006 Galileo Division Champions w/ 1126 & 201
www.bobcatrobotics.org
"If you can't do it with brains, it won't be done with hours." - Clarence "Kelly" Johnson

Last edited by Peter Matteson : 25-03-2010 at 10:44. Reason: Grammer
Reply With Quote
  #9   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 25-03-2010, 10:30
Andy Baker's Avatar Woodie Flowers Award
Andy Baker Andy Baker is offline
President, AndyMark, Inc.
FRC #3940 (CyberTooth)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: May 2001
Rookie Year: 1998
Location: Kokomo, Indiana
Posts: 3,412
Andy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond reputeAndy Baker has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Andy Baker
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Matteson View Post
I feel like you forgot one of the important things in that everyone one seems to forget.

HAVE FUN
Good point, Pete.

This is something that many teams forget to do, especially at the Championships. Teams have to plan for fun, just like they are planning to be excellent. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!"

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #10   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 25-03-2010, 11:44
ExTexan's Avatar
ExTexan ExTexan is offline
Parent and Volunteer
AKA: Richard Singletary
FRC #0548
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Northville, MI
Posts: 128
ExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant futureExTexan has a brilliant future
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Quote:
HAVE FUN
Writing that in highlighter across pages of original post going on classroom wall!
__________________
What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.

2010 REFEREE: Kettering, Ann Arbor, Wayne State, Troy, MI Championship, Atlanta-Newton field, IGVC TARDEC, MARC and upcoming KETTERING Kickoff.
Reply With Quote
  #11   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 25-03-2010, 12:44
Wayne TenBrink's Avatar
Wayne TenBrink Wayne TenBrink is offline
<< (2008 Game Piece)
FRC #1918 (NC Gears)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Fremont, MI, USA
Posts: 526
Wayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond reputeWayne TenBrink has a reputation beyond repute
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Quality, depth, and continuity on the mentor bench - both technically and administratively.

If you want a successful program:
- You can't start over from scratch every season.
- You can't have zero funds on hand when registration opens.
- You can't expect an administrator to lead the design/build process.
- You can't expect the chief engineer to schedule all the snacks, reserve hotel rooms, coordinate drivers, make buttons/peer gifts, manage the budget, etc. (there is more to this program than just building a robot!)
- You can't expect one or two technical mentors to keep a large group of students productive, engaged, and learning during build.
- You can't burn people out
- You must train new people (students and mentors).
- You must learn from your mistakes and build on your successes.

A perennial powerhouse makes sure every member of the team (student and mentor) is doing well at what they do best. There will always be a lot of personnel turnover. The key is making sure that there is always a critical mass in place to integrate new blood into the organization.

Oh, yeah. And if people are not having fun, they won't be back next year.
__________________
NC Gears (Newaygo County Geeks Engineering Awesome Robotic Solutions)

FRC 1918 (Competing at Standish and West MI in 2016)
FTC 6043 & 7911 (Competing at West MI and Allendale in 2015)
Reply With Quote
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 29-03-2010, 01:29
Akash Rastogi Akash Rastogi is offline
Jim Zondag is my Spirit Animal
FRC #2170 (Titanium Tomahawks)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Manchester, Connecticut
Posts: 7,003
Akash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond reputeAkash Rastogi has a reputation beyond repute
Thumbs up Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Greatest thread of 2010?

Yes, I think so. Thank you Chris.
__________________
My posts and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of my affiliated team.
['16-'xx]: Mentor FRC 2170 | ['11-'13]: Co-Founder/Mentor FRC 3929 | ['06-'10]: Student FRC 11 - MORT | ['08-'12]: Founder - EWCP (OG)
Reply With Quote
  #13   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 29-03-2010, 02:35
Conor Ryan Conor Ryan is offline
I'm parking robot yacht club.
FRC #4571 (Robot Yacht Club)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: Midtown, NYC
Posts: 1,889
Conor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond reputeConor Ryan has a reputation beyond repute
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Love the thread, its a great idea. I have worked with a few teams over the years and I have a couple points that I always try to abide by:
  • Never Give Up
  • Never say nothing isn't possible *until you attempt it
  • It is more important for you to teach someone else to win an award than for you to win it yourself
  • That being said, if you can't learn something new from someone, try to teach yourself how to do it.
  • There is ALWAYS something to do, and the more you make it your job to better your own team, the more 'power' your team will have
Reply With Quote
  #14   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 29-03-2010, 03:16
sanddrag sanddrag is offline
On to my 16th year in FRC
FRC #0696 (Circuit Breakers)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 8,507
sanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond reputesanddrag has a reputation beyond repute
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Fultz View Post
Build-Season
(Don't build anything on the robot the first week. Focus on the game, how to play, ideas, prototypes, models, etc.)
Coming from one of the so-called "powerhouse" teams, I think I'm going to have to disagree with this one. If we did not start ordering and manufacturing on kickoff day, we simply wouldn't finish. This year especially, our design was so complicated that it was really a struggle to get it done, even with the increased withholding allowance. So, let me offer this piece of advice Keep it simple! Take a look at 330. How many years have they won with a pole bolted to a sprocket? I think the elegance and simplicity is just ingenious. This is something any team can do, if they focus, and learn to make the most of their resources available.
__________________
Teacher/Engineer/Machinist - Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2011 - Present
Mentor/Engineer/Machinist, Team 968 RAWC, 2007-2010
Technical Mentor, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2005-2007
Student Mechanical Leader and Driver, Team 696 Circuit Breakers, 2002-2004
Reply With Quote
  #15   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 29-03-2010, 03:24
David Brinza's Avatar
David Brinza David Brinza is offline
Lead Mentor, Lead Robot Inspector
FRC #0980 (ThunderBots)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Glendale, CA
Posts: 1,378
David Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond reputeDavid Brinza has a reputation beyond repute
Re: What makes a "Powerhouse"?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Fultz View Post
<snip>
Build-Season
(Don't build anything on the robot the first week. Focus on the game, how to play, ideas, prototypes, models, etc.)
Actually, we sometimes don't start the robot fab/build until week 2. We spend time prioritizing robot functions, evaluating designs, prototype, etc. to achieve simplicity.

Because we lost our workspace the day before kickoff, the first pieces of competition robot were not fabricated until the start of week 3. Thank goodness for the 65 lb allowance -we used 90% of that for the Arizona Regional.
__________________
"There's never enough time to do it right, but always time to do it over."
2003 AZ: Semifinals, Motorola Quality; SoCal: Q-finals, Xerox Creativity; IRI: Q-finals
2004 AZ: Semifinals, GM Industrial Design; SoCal: Winners, Leadership in Controls; Championship: Galileo #2 seed, Q-finals; IRI: Champions
2005 AZ: #1 Seed, Xerox Creativity; SoCal: Finalist, RadioShack Controls; SVR: Winners, Delphi "Driving Tomorrow's Technologies"; Championship: Archimedes Semifinals; IRI: Finalist
2007 LA: Finalist; San Diego: Q-finals; CalGames: Finalist || 2008 San Diego: Q-finals; LA: Winners; CalGames: Finalist || 2009 LA: Semifinals; Las Vegas: Q-finals; IRI: #1 Seed, Finalist
2010 AZ: Motorola Quality; LA: Finalist || 2011 SD: Q-finals; LA: Q-finals || 2013 LA: Xerox Creativity, WFFA, Dean's List Finalist || 2014 IE: Q-finals, LA: Finalist, Dean's List Finalist
2016 Ventura: Q-finals, WFFA, Engineering Inspiration
Reply With Quote
Reply


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
Championship Event - Where the "Random" Match Sorting Really "Shines" Travis Hoffman Championship Event 57 19-04-2007 08:06
New NEMO White Papers! "Creating a Killer Packet" and "25 Ways to Sponsor" Jessica Boucher Team Organization 0 10-08-2005 10:55
"Thunderbirds" Vs. "Team America" Which one will rule the box office? Elgin Clock Chit-Chat 3 07-09-2004 19:53
Conflict between "Initialize_Tracker()" and "pwm13 & pwm15"? Kevin? gnormhurst Programming 3 22-02-2004 02:55
how tall is the ramp when in "up" and "balanced" position??? archiver 2001 1 24-06-2002 00:54


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 23:51.

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