2009 New Zealand Regional Cancelled

[BrentJ]

On Bills Blog the announcement was made that New Zealand won't have a regional in 2009 as originally proposed.

They believe that there is not enough time to get it organised. They are hoping to have a 2010 New Zealand Regional.

They will try and have some activity for the teams.

This is going to disappoint a lot of teams who have been working hard to raise money, build Vex robots etc.

I hope First will still let the New Zealand teams have access to the controllers, KOP etc so they can at least gain experience.

[R.C.]

Are you kidding, I was looking forward to going. Our team raised all the money for it. Well, Maybe next year then. =(

[dtengineering]

It was great to meet members of the New Zealand delegation in Atlanta last year. I'm sure they are very disappointed by this news, as, I think is everyone. But it is far better to take the time and "get it right" the first time than to put together a rush job.

It would be great if some of the Kiwi teams could find a way to get to a regional somewhere in North America. I know Vancouver to Auckland is about $1700 (we did, at least, contemplate the possibility of going), but maybe it isn't so expensive to fly from N.Z. to Hawaii or L.A.? Billeting arrangements can not only help bring down travel costs, but can also create some lasting friendships.

Jason

[JoshD]

Aww that stinks. I definitely think the teams should take this opportunity to go to the airlines to ask and see if they can get donated or discount tickets so they can compete. I'm not quite sure how all of that would work out, but it would be VERY cool if they were able to make something happen.

[=Martin=Taylor=]

If they're are enough teams, and enough interest, you could just host your own unofficial regional

Now that would gain you a LOT of experience, and make starting an official regional in 2010 easier.

[BrentJ]

Hachiban I think they may be thinking something along those lines.
At the moment every month is a Vex competion.

I am not sure if any teams will go over to other regionals. It'll depend on cost etc.

It would also depend if First holds an official kickoff here.

I don't know if the teams would go just to watch even if they had the money.

Jason does make a good point about getting more time to learn next year with out the pressure. Hopefully they will put on some more mentor training.

We have a school year that runs from late January until early December. So may be next year we could spread the training / fund raising.

Here's a question for you guys.

Do you have on your teams, students who have basic metal working skills such as turning metal on a lathe, milling machine operation etc. I am not thinking about the whole team but maybe a couple of people on the build team or do you tend to use mentors or outside companies?

Thanks for all your support. I must admit to being disapointed as I had hoped to be making that trip to Atlanta.

Brent

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by BrentJ

Here's a question for you guys.

Do you have on your teams, students who have basic metal working skills such as turning metal on a lathe, milling machine operation etc. I am not thinking about the whole team but maybe a couple of people on the build team or do you tend to use mentors or outside companies?

Thanks for all your support. I must admit to being disapointed as I had hoped to be making that trip to Atlanta.

Brent

Brent,
Each team is different but most teams have students working on machines. It depends on the insurance structure and school district policy. Most would agree, the maximum benefit is with students working next to mentors. It is a team after all.
I am saddened by the this announcement. It was one of those signs that First is branching out to reach all of the world's youth. I would hope that perhaps travel for your teams might be a possiblity and I certainly look forward to meeting up with Kiwi teams in the future.

[ChrisH]

Well, if anybody from down there can make it to Los Angeles, they are welcome to come. We should have plenty of room for you.

[lynca]

Travel costs are most likely a major cause.

Does this mean FIRST will add another regional somewhere else ?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by lynca

Travel costs are most likely a major cause.

Does this mean FIRST will add another regional somewhere else ?

I doubt it, at least for this year. If New Zealand, with at least since Championsip (and probably before) to plan, couldn't do it, where is there an area that can do it this year?

Now, let's see how many NZ teams decide to come to the States or Brazil to compete this year, just for the experience.

[chaoticprout]

This is so disappointing...=(

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by lynca

Travel costs are most likely a major cause.

Does this mean FIRST will add another regional somewhere else ?

Not this year.

Wetzel

[Qbranch]

Only two letters and one punctuation mark can describe my feelings about this...

NNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

-q

[dtengineering]

Originally Posted by BrentJ

Do you have on your teams, students who have basic metal working skills such as turning metal on a lathe, milling machine operation etc. I am not thinking about the whole team but maybe a couple of people on the build team or do you tend to use mentors or outside companies?


Brent

While there are teams that do amazing things with a hacksaw and a hand drill, and other teams that have mentors and sponsors quite actively involved in the production of the robot, most Canadian public high schools have some form of metal working or wood working shop with technically trained teachers and elective courses that teach students who are interested how to use machine and power tools.

The situation isn't entirely different in the USA, I believe, but perhaps varies a bit more. Our team, for instance has access to several machine lathes, two mills, TIG MIG Gas and Stick welders, sheet metal tools, and (not that we've used it for FRC yet) a forge and small foundry in the metal shop, and a full wood shop, complete with CNC router. We actually design many of our robot parts out of wood, particularly baltic birch plywood, with good success. We have also done fibreglass layup in the Engineering shop, and have built our own custom circuit boards in the electronics shop.

Other teams have more, many have much, much less. It doesn't so much seem to be what you have in your shop, but how you use it that makes the difference.

Jason

P.S. Oddly, we complain that our machine tools are so old that they are still in imperial units... doesn't hurt so much, though, when you're taking part in an American-based competition!

[=Martin=Taylor=]

Originally Posted by BrentJ

Do you have on your teams, students who have basic metal working skills such as turning metal on a lathe, milling machine operation etc. I am not thinking about the whole team but maybe a couple of people on the build team or do you tend to use mentors or outside companies?
Brent

The only student on our team who knew how to use machine tools was myself... Probably because they were my tools...

Needless to say, it isn't that hard to give people instructions over their shoulders and instruct them while they work. We only have 1 mill and 1 lathe, so it isn't too hard for multiple mentors to supervise a single student. Even if that student has no formal training.

We have a similar arrangements at our sponsor's shops (the students run the machines and the owners dictate what to do).