First of I would like to say we had a very fun time at MSC and we never would have expected to be seeded #1 at the end of qualifications. The field of teams there were very competitive and the were many others that could have earned that #1 spot, it’s impressive that some many team had broke 1000 teleop points, some even broke 1100. we overall feel lucky to get that spot. I would like to thank each team for accepting to be on our alliance.
Team 67- They are a legendary team and were clearly one of the best in the state. There FCS was phenomenal, so far the best I have ever seen. In addition to a climb and the scoring of the color disc made them very valuable to us. Also I would like to specially thank them for picking up the slack for us in both quarterfinal matches when our robot had a freak jamming problem we had never had before. In the end they were clearly the right pick for our first selection.
Team 2337- We were surprised that this very good team was left at the end of alliance selection. There very strong drive train made them valuable to us to push away any defenders that tried to block 67. There autonomous hit very well, and they were able to play offense when we had an unplugged shooter motor in the last match. Overall we were happy to snatch them up at the end of alliance selection.
Although losing in the finals is not what any of us wanted (obviously), we feel 469, 3539, and 217 was a very powerful alliance and deserve to be state champions. I wish our alliance could have been running at full capacity, our alliance had been fighting some unfortunate mechanical problems all throughout eliminations and finally got most of them solved by the first match of the finals, but went right back in the same boat after the first finals match.
Another special thank you to the #4 alliance in the semi-finals (2145, 1918, 3572) When repairing a robot on our alliance a student from 1918 had offered to use their alliance timeout for us to have time to repair the robot. Although after talking to the head referee we were unable to have back to back time outs, but this is a great example of gracious professionalism.
You guys built another amazing machine this year, one of my favorite to watch pick up and shoot. It seems like we always end up against each other, I don’t know if we have been on the same team in the three years we have been playing. Maybe one of these days we will get to be on the same side!
Our drivetrain is a custom version of AM’s 446 drive module using a mixture of AndyMark and VexPro parts. As stated earlier, 2 CIMs per side and 8 4” Versa Wheels. The center wheels are direct driven using a standard AM shifter through a 48/50/60 gear set, slightly slower than a standard 446, end wheels are chain driven. What probably set us apart is the longer octagon shaped drive base with 4” side rails and a full length belly pan. I nicknamed it “The Tank” due to its rigidity, which allowed for end wheels to have minimal rocker, increasing pushing power/stability without adversely affecting turning.
Just out of curiosity, how well does it push? (Feel free to brag). I’m just interested because historically in the MarVaDC area a 4 CIM drivetrain with traction (or plaction) wheels is nearly immovable or unstoppable when driving against another robot.
2337, from what I saw, was almost immovable. It was some of the best defense I have seen all year. My jaw dropped.
2054 had an amazing robot this year, and you can be sure I will be stopping by to say “Hi” at champs, and possibly snag a few photos. You guys were incredible.
I am constantly astounded at the level of play in Michigan. MSC was amazing.
Talk to 1918 it seems like we have played against them many times since 2010. This include the last four years in the finals at West Michigan. Here is a short list
2010 West michigan finals
2011 West michigan finals
2011 MSC Quarter finals
2012 West Michigan finlas
2013 West Michigan Finals
2013 MSC semi-finals
Plus a little side note FTC teams that were mentored by 1918 and 2054 played against each other in the “west michigan State championship”
I hope we don’t continue to play against you in the future, you guys are proving to be very strong and competitive team.
Here’s a good video of the 2337 pushing us around like we are on mechanums
We had a pretty solid drivetrain, and typically expect to win a pushing match; but they flat out manhandled us, if they hadn’t been there keeping us off of 67, we may have been able to pull off the upset.
