pic: We didnt have to uncart our robot

CD-Media: Photos
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On Wednesday night when we went to uncrate the robot. This is what we saw. And my jaw dropped in shock. I was afraid there was something was broke. But everything was fine the crate was just falling apart and they put a forklift through it so Sheppard took it apart for us. (Note sorry it’s blurry)

We can build a robot just not a crate to ship it in!!

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So what’s the story behind this picture?

Edit: Oops, I didnt see the caption below the picture. :rolleyes:

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Read the picture description:

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Sheppard was very accommodating and gave us a box of screws when they brought the pieces out to us when we were ready to leave. I only hope it makes it back to Arab!

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maybe the robot is clastrophobic and took matters into its own claws?

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Jeez, thats not exactly an encouraging thing to walk in and see when your going to uncrate. Glad your robot didn’t suffer any damage.

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We saw that on Wednesday, we were in the same aisle as you guys, and as we walked by that, we just looked in horror as what could’ve happened. It’s good though nothing major happened, but we did notice that one of your sidepanels had been broken. Is it just me, or are there more shipping mishaps this season, possibly due to more teams/crates to ship?

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I guess that saves time in uncrating. However, it could have been seriously damaged. Did the shipping parties involved take any responsibility?

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Yeah it save us sometime uncrating. But we had to put the in order to ship it back home. A HUGE PAIN !!!

Note: I just realize I spelled the title worry. Im bad.

And the Robot got back to high school today safe thank goodness.

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Although I have not read this thread through all the way, chances are this suggestion has been made already. FIRST now has that guidline that says Teams MUST put a non-spillable battery sign on all 4 sides of their crates if they intend to ship batteries to the events. Why not also have a Fragile Sign as well, Even though you just can’t toss around a 400 - 500 lb crate with ease. Accidents do happen and many teams are lucky that more times than not even though the crate falls to pieces the robot magically stays in one piece. I have seen many crates over the past 6 years and I can honestly say many teams have improved their design of the crate so that A) it can be broken down into a pit work area B) space and storage solution for off season storage C) durability. Many teams have built a complete alumnium crate and sealed it with caulking and sarran wrapped it so that it doesn’t rust or leak, others have made their crates with layers of wood so that it doesn’t flex and come apart.

While Sponsorship is a hardship for many teams the standard for a Crate should be as follows:

  1. I don’t know how heavy the crate is suppose to be but increase it by 50 - 100 lbs so that teams have the option to build it out of metal (This crate will last along time if taken care of properly)
  2. Size of the crate can stay the same
  3. The crate cannot be converted to a mobile pit station - I know i’ll get hammered on this one.
  4. Decals on all 4 sides must state:
    Non Spillable Battery Enclosed - If shipping Batteries (which FIRST already enforces)
    Fragile handle with care - Espicially if the team doesn’t strap down their robot securely to the crate.
  5. Must have their Team Number & Name on all 4 sides of the crate (which FIRST already enforces)
  6. Crate Destination Sign - Where the crate is being shipped to (which FIRST already enforces)
  7. A Reliable Locking mechanism which will prevent tampering of the crate or the contents of it. Most Teams just screw the door on and unscrew it at the competition - Not good b/c you just may end up with your robot already uncrated since the crate fell apart. A Lock on the crate would be a bit better.

These crates contain 6 weeks hard work, hundred of hours of blood, sweat, and dedication. Shipping the robot is just as important as building the robot itself. Teams should be split into two so that the crate could be built and made sure that it meets FIRSTs’ contracted shippers standards with the added ability of peace of mind, durabilty, security and reliablity.

FIRST Entry, KOP Fee, and Regional 1 - $6,000 - Guessing
6 Weeks of Hard Work - Hundreds of hours
Knowing your Hard work made it to its destination safely b/c of a sturday crate thats been re-used 8 times - priceless

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I really like this idea, it makes sense and seems pretty workable. (Although FedEx might be a bit touchy about the additional weight) It would also give a team a good bit of experience making larger durable items, and would look better on the tele than a sea of plywood. (Plus it would remove the treated wood concerns for crossing the border) I can see some really cool, durable crates coming out of a rule like this. (Imagine how many rivets would be in the 1501 crate… that’d be a sight)

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I believe this was the team I had seen Wednesday, but because I was volunteering I had gained pit access a bit early, and as I was walking by some other volunteers who didn’t know better started talking about how rude it was for teams to come in early and uncrate. At that point I went up to them and told them that if they took some time to look at what they were discussing they would see the nails bent in unusual ways and that obviously the crate had been dismantled due to shipping not from a team. This isn’t the first time an incident of crate breakage has occurred either unfortunately. I think FIRST should maybe set some guidelines for teams of what a minimum crate should be made out of maybe? I know a lot of teams have crates that they have used/spent lots of money on, and I know there are teams who maybe can’t afford a lot of money for a crate made of all diamond plating, but I feel there has to be some way a team can insure a half way decent shipping of their pride and joy.

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That might be the problem right there? Did this crate use nails? If so, perhaps try screws next time.

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in 2004 at nationals the team across from us put their robot on a skid and put a cardboard box over it, then wrapped some seran wrap on it. That was one poor crate.

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Crazy, crazy stuff… I would have a heart attack if I saw my crate dismantled like that especially since we transported our pit display boards, and our chairman’s display boards in the crate. Because of these late shipping fiascos, I should probably look into alternative ways of shipping 6 foot foam boards… I don’t see why a wooden crate, built properly, wouldn’t last for a a good 2-3 years (Always measure and check twice?)

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its better to have a crate like that then no crate =/

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Are crate will be going into it’s 5th season of use in '07.

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Ok I will have to agree to another point made which was not all teams can afford an all diamond plate crate so with this in mind I have come up with another solution A Metal Frame / Chassis with Wooden Walls That way the crate can still be durable and won’t flex if properly welded and the walls properly attached with the write Nuts and Bolts - I’m pretty confident that this type of crate would work well both weight and price wise b/c you really don’t need to use alumnium tubing but instead use the “L” shaped pieces. All though a all Alumnium Crate (Espicially Diamond Plate if done the right way and trust me I have seen at least 1 or 2 teams do it) looks quite spectacular and gets some heads to turn.

So You have 2 options:

  1. An All Aluminum Crate Probably weighing in at about 300lbs or so
  2. An All Aluminum Chassis with wooden walls weighin in at about 265lbs or so

Weight is w/o the robot and will allow the teams to still be creative with the Drill Press or CNC Machine =)

Metal will always out last wood if 2 of the following don’t occur Rust or Bend.