I wanted to share our teams’ amazing experience at Hopper division elims and then Einstein, teamed up with 148 Robowranglers, 1678 Citrus Circuits and 364 Team Fusion.
We are a small, rural team that has been slowly building our program. In the last two years, we have started the transition from building a robot to one that designs a robot, builds it and then continues to advance it throughout the season.
In the approximately 7 hours we spent with our alliance partners, we learned more than what feels like the entire season. Our alliance partners worked with our students to completely go through our robot and fix any likely failure points as well as build and install a blocker. They approached our students, explained what they felt needed to be changed, got our approval and then helped OUR students make those changes. Basically, they mentored our team. Just a fantastic experience.
Getting ready for the flight home, I could see how inspired our students were. Wanting to capture that moment, I asked our drive team and pit crew to write down everything they learned that day (one was written on those funny paper bags in your airplane seat!). I thought I would share these largely unedited thoughts from our students. Some are repeated and that shows how important they were. Sorry for the length.
Operator (fourth year)
Have compressor on own relay, draws too much power (spike)
There are more panels (screens from driver logs) to look at power from individual systems/motors
Label the heck out of all wires
Might need to replace main breaker
Icing things is a good thing (compressed air cans) after each match
Don’t have switch easily hittable
Complete systems check every time (each match)
Draw a diagram (wiring)
Hot glue down everything (pwms, talons, roborio)
Pit Crew (first year)
Competitions are really tense, especially down on the field/pit
The more you check the robot and the more efficiently the checking is the less of a chance you have of breaking on the field and the more reliable you are to other teams
Other teams liked to check what we checked (our robot and theirs)
Ask questions to other teams so that we can use their info in the future
Even your opponents will congratulate you or share that they are impressed with something you did
Pit Crew (second year)
Make an add on as simple as possible with as few moving parts as possible
When choosing a gear ratio, look at the heat capacity instead of just tripping the breaker (from the motor curves)
Label everything so not only your own team can find things but your alliance can easily find things like tools
Coach (fourth year)
Having a clear strategy is important
Check everything every single match
It’s ok to change strategy during the match
0 stress, just play your normal game
Pit Crew (fourth year)
Organization… Label tool carts and drawers. And put things back!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Ask for help if you need it
Sometimes the most complex looking robots have the simplest solutions
Test… everything. You never know what could happen, like the low bar hitting the breaker 
If someone is working with you on something and doesn’t understand, explain, and teach. Don’t shun them and do it yourself
Be prepared, think through your project, plan, design, have your tools ready
Human Player (fourth year)
Use plastic in less-structural parts
Every part should have multiple purposes
Simple solutions are the best solutions
Find and use a mix of custom and pre-built parts
Hot glue is underrated
Put water bottles on the war wagon (robot cart)
Extra tool carts in the pit is very worth it
Driver (third year)
Torque = accuracy. Anything that needs accuracy or stability requires more torque than necessary
Heat: main motors and 775pros should have fans and heatsinks. Find average current for a match and design to overheat after 3 minutes.
Record matches of your next match opponents and have them with the driver right before a match - high angle is better.
Extensive systems check: run all motors and most auto programs. Check switches and sensors.
Large wire: larger gauge wires tend to flop less and lose connection less. They also heat up connectors less.
Gather data from matches for review – current to talons, vision tracking, sensors
Chain tensioners (adjustable): split links with bolts can be used for non-continuous rotation
Thin wall is great for tension or compression lengthwise
Embed sensors in a place where they cannot move
Use initial motion to activate passive systems
Cinch down any slack cables or rope
Shock mount the entire electrical system as one unit
PTO’s can be used on two mechanisms separate from the drivetrain
Low torque systems need to speed up in advance
Thank you so much 148, 1678 and 364!!!
Thank you for that!