What did we learn - FIRST Scrimmages?

[Chris is me]

We found out that if you want to play at a scrimmage, you need to build your robot faster, plan it out better, and not mount your battery in a manner that causes your electrical board to fail when you fly up a bump.

While technically not at a scrimmage, but just on a field, we also figured out the tunnel is not a terrible zone transfer method, but it's very vulnerable to defense like bump climbing is.

[AcesJames]

I learned that our team overestimated the necessary drivetrain to get over the bump. We made an articulating drive with 6 wheels, 16 sprockets, and 27 feet of chain, and we were going over the bump easily....but so were all of the other teams at Shakedown. Teams with the kitbot frame and 4 mecanum wheels were going over without too much trouble at all. 230, which was arguably the best robot there, had that exact setup.

However, I also learned that having 6 sticky wheels did NOT hamper our ability to turn, and it helped a whole lot in being able to push around other bots. It was literally like a warm knife through butter. Also, in learning things about our robot, we are then able to assess what we can and cannot do, and where we can and cannot play the best on the field. As it is, our kicker will be great picking up balls that were launched from the far zone, and just popping them quickly into our goals.

[SilentHAWK6]

Where any of the cast saved/recorded?

[Dr Theta]

We found that the ability to move between zones consistently and quickly can be the key for a successful match, that controlling a majority of the balls on the field doesn't always lead to high scores (not that it hurts your chances), and once again the drivetrain of the robot is the most important design feature; being able to go where you want in a quick and efficient manner will once again play a huge role.

[Nickel5]

I found:

Not much travel over the bumps

• Seemed to be more beneficial to the other alliance than to your own due to open field section.

Low scoring

• High score was 6, a more average score was 2

Hard to push a ball over the bump

• Just ended up being caught under the frame.

Once a ball is up against the alliance station walls, it's dead. If it's against the side walls in the middle section, it's also dead.
Autonomous is very important because it's a unimpeded chance to score
Hard to manipulate ball, even with ball control

[sportman3333333]

Did anyone manage to find the e-stop button at the driver stations at Suffield Shakedown. Team 999 has lost the stop button. If anyone has it, please pm me.

Thanks

[Michael Corsetto]

I learned how important ball possession is and how not-so-important bump climbing is. We would climb the bump max once per match and still be shooting balls all match. Teams that lacked ball possessors were
A) Having trouble lining up kicks and
B) Taking lots of pictures of our front roller

We also learned the importance of lining up quickly, and you can miss to the wall slightly and still make a bounce shot.

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto

I learned how important ball possession is and how not-so-important bump climbing is.

I learned how many teams did not realize how important ball possession is.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by squirrel

I learned how many teams did not realize how important ball possession is.

Jim,
TOTALLY agree with you.
This is why we are still scrambling wondering if we should powdercoat or not tonight or tomorrow, with less programming and driver practice.

We spent 1 1/2 weeks trying to find the right speed, motor, device, frame stop, etc. that we felt was to our satisfaction on possessing the ball.

Its not perfect, but with driver practice in how they turn and do reverse turns, it certainly improves.

One of the schools here had a scrimmage, and that was the biggest problem.........good ball possessing.

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by waialua359

This is why we are still scrambling wondering if we should powdercoat or not tonight or tomorrow, with less programming and driver practice.

Our robot frame is rusty steel....oh well...at least it can hold onto the ball reasonably well.

[Cyberphil]

Originally Posted by squirrel

I learned how many teams did not realize how important ball possession is.

It is very surprising that many teams did not think of this. We also overlooked the importance of ball manipulation. With the past few games being like they were, it is surprising that many teams overlooked this thing of extreme importance. Each game relies on manipulation of the game pieces. For some reason people think that other aspects are more important, but when you think about it, if you can't posses the ball and aim it, you cannot win easily at all. We figured that out a little too late.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Nickel5

Once a ball is up against the alliance station walls, it's dead. If it's against the side walls in the middle section, it's also dead.
Autonomous is very important because it's a unimpeded chance to score
Hard to manipulate ball, even with ball control

thanks for confirming what we were afraid of.
With bumpers on and being high off the ground, how the heck do you get it from the wall, without a manipulator that wacks it back into play?

I've seen videos of vacuum suction cups that work well, once it grabs the ball. But without rollers, it would make it almost impossible. Those videos showed it with their bumper off.

Kind of reminds me of 2008, comparing teams that had the top rollers vs. those that did not. We didnt unfortunately.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by waialua359

thanks for confirming what we were afraid of.
With bumpers on and being high off the ground, how the heck do you get it from the wall, without a manipulator that wacks it back into play?

I've seen videos of vacuum suction cups that work well, once it grabs the ball. But without rollers, it would make it almost impossible. Those videos showed it with their bumper off.

A robot that has the ability to strafe (swerve, mecanum) can acquire balls with vacuums sans rollers if it strafes diagonally into them.

[Arefin Bari]

Are there any videos from any of these scrimmages? I (and I am sure others as well) would love to see them.

p.s. - Please take permission from the teams if you are going to post a video of their robot.

[Michael Corsetto]

Originally Posted by Arefin Bari

Are there any videos from any of these scrimmages? I (and I am sure others as well) would love to see them.

p.s. - Please take permission from the teams if you are going to post a video of their robot.

Check out this thread: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...threadid=83332

Just a few links provided by squirrel so far...