[FRC Blog] GENERATOR SWITCH Sensor Modifications

[Hallry]

Posted on the FRC Blog, 3/11/2020: https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog/2020-switch-sensor-change

GENERATOR SWITCH Sensor Modifications

2020 MAR 11 | Written by Kelly Carlson, Mechanical Engineer, FIRST Robotics Competition.

In the last two weeks of competition, FIRST HQ had a few events report issues with the GENERATOR SWITCH Sensor Assembly. We were able to trace the issues back to a minor rotation of the Sensor Assembly that was caused by the way it mounted to the bar that supports the GENERATOR SWITCH. To fix the problem moving forward, we are changing the location of the GENERATOR SWITCH Sensor Assembly and adding 2 parts to the GENERATOR SWITCH. The parts are attached at the top of the GENERATOR SWITCH Brace (GE-20011). We have no reason to believe this will impact a team’s ability to interact with the GENERATOR SWITCH nor change the dynamic properties of the GENERATOR SWITCH. We plan to release CAD with Team Update 18, but teams can expect to see the solution implemented starting Friday, March 13, 2020.

This change includes:

• Moving the Sensor Plate’s cheeseborough from the black pole (which supports the GENERATOR SWITCH) to the Truss.
  • We will use the cheeseborough jigs to ensure proper alignment.
• Adding a Sensor Range Plate & Backing Plate to the top of one GE-20011 (the GENERATOR SWITCH Brace) assembly per GENERATOR SWITCH. The Sensor Range Plate mimics the sensor cut-outs which were used on the GENERATOR SWITCH. It uses hook, loop, and cable ties to connect the GE-20011.

[BrendanB]

I’m glad this got addressed today.

[Eugene_Fang]

Very important indeed. I can’t think of any other matter we’d want to hear from HQ about.

Edit:

@Hallry

In the last two weeks of competition

“Last two weeks” maybe it’s a hint.

[Connor_McBride]

Not dead yet…

[Andrew_L]

It’s a good thing FIRST finally came to their senses and canceled the… generator… switch…sensors?

[Matt_Boehm_329]

I’m actually glad they are still working to improve the game for those events still running. Not every event is cancelled yet and it would be unfair for them to ignore fixes and updates for those still able to play

[CIM]

I’m sure different people work on this blog post versus, um, other important issues, but the optics of releasing this, and not acknowledging updates to the actual global pandemic on the blog - are not great.

[Jon_K]

Y’all have to remember, FRC engineering has nothing to do with Ops decisions about events. This was an issue in weeks 1 and 2, and was a good thing that it got addressed and changed. Seriously, the cynicism is a bit much here.

[XaulZan11]

I think the implication is FIRST should be cancelling/postponing all events. It seems to becoming more and more irresponsible to not be cancelling events and instead pass the decision to other groups.

[bobbysq]

Finally, an opportunity to gifpost

[Billfred]

@Jon_K

Y’all have to remember, FRC engineering has nothing to do with Ops decisions about events. This was an issue in weeks 1 and 2, and was a good thing that it got addressed and changed.

And to that end, sitting and waiting for the other shoe to drop is terrible for one’s mental health. (Source: have been doing that.)

Even if the engineering staff don’t see another Infinite Recharge match for three months, fixing the generator switch is good for the soul.

[BEEKMAN]

I imagine the engineering team at FIRST is probably more frustrated than teams on these events. We’ve only been working for 2.5 months, the FRC Game Design is a several year process

[Maximillian]

[Zook]

Better to solve this now than in November when the postponed events resume.