Good Morning Teams,
I’m excited to announce the new DC Regional has plans to host a special Legislative VIP Breakfast for members of Congress and the Senate so they can come see what FIRST is all about. We’re going to send formal invitations, but a message from you will probably mean more to your State Senator and your District Representative. Please take a moment to invite your congress(wo)men to join the DC teams on Friday February 27th from 7:30 to 9:00AM at the Washington Convention Center. You can find contact information here. Thank you for helping promote FIRST.
28 days until Week One
See you then!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Loud enough for you?
Good Afternoon Teams,
Last spring I asked for input from participants at a few events and one of the questions raised had to do with the noise levels at FRC competitions. Our PA systems are sized to provide ample sound pressure throughout an average 3500 person room. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to make it exactly loud enough everywhere in the arena without having it get too loud in spots. So, here’s what the production company has agreed to do this year to review sound levels:
The production staff will walk the audience area repeatedly to monitor sound levels.
Pit Administration will know who to contact if there is a concern so that the situation can be reviewed.
And here’s what I need you to do:
If you are concerned that the sound levels at a FIRST event this year are too high, let Pit Administration know the exact location where there’s a problem so we can check it out.
If you feel that the sound levels at a specific FIRST event were too high last year, let me know which event it was so I can alert the production company to closely monitor sound levels this year.
29 days until Week One
See you then!
Last spring I asked for input from participants at a few events and one of the questions raised had to do with the noise levels at FRC competitions. Our PA systems are sized to provide ample sound pressure throughout an average 3500 person room. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to make it exactly loud enough everywhere in the arena without having it get too loud in spots. So, here’s what the production company has agreed to do this year to review sound levels:
The production staff will walk the audience area repeatedly to monitor sound levels.
Pit Administration will know who to contact if there is a concern so that the situation can be reviewed.
And here’s what I need you to do:
If you are concerned that the sound levels at a FIRST event this year are too high, let Pit Administration know the exact location where there’s a problem so we can check it out.
If you feel that the sound levels at a specific FIRST event were too high last year, let me know which event it was so I can alert the production company to closely monitor sound levels this year.
29 days until Week One
See you then!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Update to the Orbit Ball update
Good Afternoon Teams,
Here is the latest update from WalMart on which stores have Orbit Balls as of today.
36 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then.
Here is the latest update from WalMart on which stores have Orbit Balls as of today.
36 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Don’t Zap your Driver Station
Good Afternoon Teams,
Be Aware! Your Driver Station may be susceptible to lock up caused by Electro Static Discharge. Don’t let this happen to you. The human body can carry an electrical charge. (Like when you shuffle your socks on the carpet so you can ‘zap’ a friend.) Make sure you ground yourself before you touch the driver station or anything connected to the driver station. Touch metal before you touch your robot or Driver Station. It will save you a lot of time and energy.
Also, the FRC Diagnostics Panel is now available from LabVIEW. Robot Inspectors will use this program to check the FPGA image and other installed images are correct and you can use the program to check for software or hardware problems in your control system. Check out the article on the Think Tank to learn more.
And talking about Robot Inspections, this year your robot must be inspected before you are allowed to compete on Friday, and then re-inspected for volume and weight just before elimination rounds begin at all events. Remember, Inspectors can also re-inspect any robot at any time if it appears to be non-compliant with the rules.
37 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Be Aware! Your Driver Station may be susceptible to lock up caused by Electro Static Discharge. Don’t let this happen to you. The human body can carry an electrical charge. (Like when you shuffle your socks on the carpet so you can ‘zap’ a friend.) Make sure you ground yourself before you touch the driver station or anything connected to the driver station. Touch metal before you touch your robot or Driver Station. It will save you a lot of time and energy.
Also, the FRC Diagnostics Panel is now available from LabVIEW. Robot Inspectors will use this program to check the FPGA image and other installed images are correct and you can use the program to check for software or hardware problems in your control system. Check out the article on the Think Tank to learn more.
And talking about Robot Inspections, this year your robot must be inspected before you are allowed to compete on Friday, and then re-inspected for volume and weight just before elimination rounds begin at all events. Remember, Inspectors can also re-inspect any robot at any time if it appears to be non-compliant with the rules.
37 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Check this out
Good Afternoon Teams,
You should check out the new FIRST think tank hosted at WPI.
http://thinktank.wpi.edu/cgi-bin/index.cgi
This site is the home for articles specific to FRC topics created by mentors and team members. You can access the entire site without registering, but if you want to edit articles, rank articles or submit your own you’ll need to log in, sign up and be approved by your team’s main contact. Please join me at this unique site where we can share the best FRC teams have to offer. There’s already a lot of information posted and I know teams have a lot to add. An email blast has been sent to Team Main Contacts explaining how the approval process works.
41 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
You should check out the new FIRST think tank hosted at WPI.
http://thinktank.wpi.edu/cgi-bin/index.cgi
This site is the home for articles specific to FRC topics created by mentors and team members. You can access the entire site without registering, but if you want to edit articles, rank articles or submit your own you’ll need to log in, sign up and be approved by your team’s main contact. Please join me at this unique site where we can share the best FRC teams have to offer. There’s already a lot of information posted and I know teams have a lot to add. An email blast has been sent to Team Main Contacts explaining how the approval process works.
41 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Bumper Musings
Good Afternoon Teams,
Since there seem to be several intense Team discussions about bumper rules, here is a "flow chart" for determining bumper legality -- at least the gross geometry part of the bumper.
1. Estimate carefully how wide the bumper gap around the trailer hitch must be to comply with the "bumper to bumper" trailer-robot contact illustrated in Figure 8-6.
2. Wrap a string around the robot to determine the BUMPER PERIMETER.
3. Mark the string to indicate the non-bumper regions, (including the TRAILER HITCH gap) being careful to insure that six inches of BUMPER are provided on each side of each vertex of the BUMPER PERIMETER.
4. Check to ensure that 2/3 of the BUMPER PERIMETER is covered by BUMPERS.
I hope this helps!
42 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Since there seem to be several intense Team discussions about bumper rules, here is a "flow chart" for determining bumper legality -- at least the gross geometry part of the bumper.
1. Estimate carefully how wide the bumper gap around the trailer hitch must be to comply with the "bumper to bumper" trailer-robot contact illustrated in Figure 8-6.
2. Wrap a string around the robot to determine the BUMPER PERIMETER.
3. Mark the string to indicate the non-bumper regions, (including the TRAILER HITCH gap) being careful to insure that six inches of BUMPER are provided on each side of each vertex of the BUMPER PERIMETER.
4. Check to ensure that 2/3 of the BUMPER PERIMETER is covered by BUMPERS.
I hope this helps!
42 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Glove Safety
Good Morning Teams,
Have you noticed the gloves included in the Kit of Parts yet? I know they aren’t very exciting, but they are an important piece of equipment. The single most common injury recorded at the Regional Events last year was hand injuries associated with lifting robots. Please take caution and use gloves whenever you move your robot. I want you to have a safe and injury free season.
42 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Have you noticed the gloves included in the Kit of Parts yet? I know they aren’t very exciting, but they are an important piece of equipment. The single most common injury recorded at the Regional Events last year was hand injuries associated with lifting robots. Please take caution and use gloves whenever you move your robot. I want you to have a safe and injury free season.
42 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Care and Feeding
Good Morning Teams,
Our software engineers have created sample two-color target tracking code. You can find links to download the code on the 2009 FRC Control System page in the 'Software Updates' section. This beta version sample code is available in both LabVIEW and C/C++ versions. Teams may want to review this code as they work to develop their own solutions.
Care and Feeding of Your Wheels......
The wheels supplied in the 2009 KOP are very different from previous years’ kit wheels. The tread material is Celcon M90, and has the following coefficients of friction on white, rippled fiberglass plastic sheet: Inline, static: 0.06; Inline, dynamic: 0.05; Transverse, static: 0.14; Transverse, dynamic: 0.10.
Your testing surface has the potential to damage your wheels and cause you problems during competitions and inspections. While they don't need to be babied, you do need to use some good old fashioned common sense before running them on surfaces that could pick up loose debris/grit that could become embedded in the wheel surface. This could cause problems later on, not only in the performance of your wheels, but it could prevent you from competing.
DO:
* test your wheels on carpet, linoleum/tile, hardwood, etc....
* take care that these surfaces do not contain rock salt, sand or other gritty materials
DON'T:
* test your wheels on cement, asphalt or any gritty surface (if at all possible)
* forget to clean your wheels after every operation to prevent debris buildup and potential future damage
With a little TLC, your wheels will serve you well throughout the competition season.
43 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Our software engineers have created sample two-color target tracking code. You can find links to download the code on the 2009 FRC Control System page in the 'Software Updates' section. This beta version sample code is available in both LabVIEW and C/C++ versions. Teams may want to review this code as they work to develop their own solutions.
Care and Feeding of Your Wheels......
The wheels supplied in the 2009 KOP are very different from previous years’ kit wheels. The tread material is Celcon M90, and has the following coefficients of friction on white, rippled fiberglass plastic sheet: Inline, static: 0.06; Inline, dynamic: 0.05; Transverse, static: 0.14; Transverse, dynamic: 0.10.
Your testing surface has the potential to damage your wheels and cause you problems during competitions and inspections. While they don't need to be babied, you do need to use some good old fashioned common sense before running them on surfaces that could pick up loose debris/grit that could become embedded in the wheel surface. This could cause problems later on, not only in the performance of your wheels, but it could prevent you from competing.
DO:
* test your wheels on carpet, linoleum/tile, hardwood, etc....
* take care that these surfaces do not contain rock salt, sand or other gritty materials
DON'T:
* test your wheels on cement, asphalt or any gritty surface (if at all possible)
* forget to clean your wheels after every operation to prevent debris buildup and potential future damage
With a little TLC, your wheels will serve you well throughout the competition season.
43 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Chairman's Award Criteria
Good Morning Teams,
We know that Chairman’s Award teams are looking for clarification on the new DVD requirement this year. We have received several questions and have taken the time to research them before replying. We have recently posted an updated Chairman’s Award criteria document on our website.
44 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
We know that Chairman’s Award teams are looking for clarification on the new DVD requirement this year. We have received several questions and have taken the time to research them before replying. We have recently posted an updated Chairman’s Award criteria document on our website.
44 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Orbit Balls Update
Good Afternoon Teams,
Here is the most recent update we have on Orbit Ball inventories at WalMart stores. Remember, this information is subject to change and we cannot guarantee inventory levels. We will attempt to update the inventory list as we receive new information.
We regret to announce that Logo Loc has sold out of all excess inventory of Orbit Balls. We are sorry for any inconvenience to teams who missed this opportunity.
45 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Here is the most recent update we have on Orbit Ball inventories at WalMart stores. Remember, this information is subject to change and we cannot guarantee inventory levels. We will attempt to update the inventory list as we receive new information.
We regret to announce that Logo Loc has sold out of all excess inventory of Orbit Balls. We are sorry for any inconvenience to teams who missed this opportunity.
45 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Something Extra
Good Morning Teams,
Do you want to honor your Mentor and promote FIRST at the same time? Enter the USA Weekend Youth Coach contest www.usaweekend.com. Just be sure to describe FIRST as ‘a sport for the mind’. Deadline February 2, 2009.
45 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Do you want to honor your Mentor and promote FIRST at the same time? Enter the USA Weekend Youth Coach contest www.usaweekend.com. Just be sure to describe FIRST as ‘a sport for the mind’. Deadline February 2, 2009.
45 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Late Breaking News
Good Afternoon Teams,
Our software engineers are working on two color target tracking sample code that should be ready early next week. This beta version sample code will be available in both C/C++ and LabVIEW. Watch this space for details.
49 days until the Week One Regionals
See you then.
Our software engineers are working on two color target tracking sample code that should be ready early next week. This beta version sample code will be available in both C/C++ and LabVIEW. Watch this space for details.
49 days until the Week One Regionals
See you then.
Get Ready
Good Morning Teams,
Ok teams, we’re about to go live with the sale of Orbit Balls. Orbit balls will be sold as a set of 3 for $27.00 per set plus shipping and handling. Each team may purchase only one set. (This is due to the total quantity available. We may reopen sales to all teams in the future depending on inventory levels. ) The only color available is orange/purple (moon rocks). International sales started at 12:01 AM EST Thursday, January 8th because International teams are at a disadvantage (no WalMarts). Sales to US teams will go live at noon on Friday, January 9th, 2009 at www.logoloc.com/first/. Order soon, when they’re gone, they’re gone.
49 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Ok teams, we’re about to go live with the sale of Orbit Balls. Orbit balls will be sold as a set of 3 for $27.00 per set plus shipping and handling. Each team may purchase only one set. (This is due to the total quantity available. We may reopen sales to all teams in the future depending on inventory levels. ) The only color available is orange/purple (moon rocks). International sales started at 12:01 AM EST Thursday, January 8th because International teams are at a disadvantage (no WalMarts). Sales to US teams will go live at noon on Friday, January 9th, 2009 at www.logoloc.com/first/. Order soon, when they’re gone, they’re gone.
49 days until Week One Regionals begin,
See you then!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
More Details
Good Morning Teams,
I want to clarify the Game Design Committee’s intention on a few matters to save you time and resources:
1) De-scoring is not permitted (ie. You may not remove game pieces from a trailer)
2) Goal tending is not permitted (ie. You may not block access to a trailer)
3) Don’t spend time attempting to develop a vacuum car system like Jim Hall’s sucker Chaparral car. Even a slight suction over the base of the robot will damage the field surface and you don’t want to do that (See the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition Manual section 7 rules G-29 & G-30)
I’ve had some requests for more information on the field surface. You can purchase 4’x8’ Fiber Reinforced Plastic Sheets, pebble texture on one side available from Home Depot SKU 121-586 or Lowes SKU 8566. If you’re on a tight budget, a clean waxed linoleum tile floor (found in many older school cafeterias) mimics the performance of the field closely enough for practice. What’s important is duplicating the coefficient of friction; 0.05 static and 0.04 dynamic.
And an update on the Orbit Balls: Walmart has provided us with this list of which stores have inventory. This list is as of yesterday, and will probably be obsolete very quickly, so take a look ASAP. And please don’t contact the Orbit Ball manufacturers directly. They can’t accept individual orders. FIRST has some extra Orbit Balls we will sell directly to teams. Stay tuned for more details.
51 days until Regional Events begin
See you then!
I want to clarify the Game Design Committee’s intention on a few matters to save you time and resources:
1) De-scoring is not permitted (ie. You may not remove game pieces from a trailer)
2) Goal tending is not permitted (ie. You may not block access to a trailer)
3) Don’t spend time attempting to develop a vacuum car system like Jim Hall’s sucker Chaparral car. Even a slight suction over the base of the robot will damage the field surface and you don’t want to do that (See the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition Manual section 7 rules G-29 & G-30)
I’ve had some requests for more information on the field surface. You can purchase 4’x8’ Fiber Reinforced Plastic Sheets, pebble texture on one side available from Home Depot SKU 121-586 or Lowes SKU 8566. If you’re on a tight budget, a clean waxed linoleum tile floor (found in many older school cafeterias) mimics the performance of the field closely enough for practice. What’s important is duplicating the coefficient of friction; 0.05 static and 0.04 dynamic.
And an update on the Orbit Balls: Walmart has provided us with this list of which stores have inventory. This list is as of yesterday, and will probably be obsolete very quickly, so take a look ASAP. And please don’t contact the Orbit Ball manufacturers directly. They can’t accept individual orders. FIRST has some extra Orbit Balls we will sell directly to teams. Stay tuned for more details.
51 days until Regional Events begin
See you then!
Monday, January 5, 2009
I know you're busy
Good Morning Teams,
We had a successful Kickoff and I know you’re busy with robot design, but there are two quick items I want to bring to your attention.
The game pieces were chosen this year with the expectation that they would be readily available to teams from WalMart. Unfortunately we recently learned that WalMart only has this item in limited quantities. We’ve been told there are 28,000 pieces available in 319 WalMart stores, but it would be a good idea to go check the shelves of your local store sooner rather than later as these will probably go quickly. WalMart calls the game pieces “Orbit Balls” and unfortunately, they’re not available on the WalMart website. FIRST headquarters plans to have some available for sale, hopefully by next week. I’ll share the details as soon as they are firm.
Also, I suggested in an earlier blog post that you apply hook tape to the bottom of your operator console. Now I can explain why. There’s a good chance this year that robots will slide into the driver station wall hard enough to knock your operator console to the floor. We’ve installed loop tape on the driver station shelf to help you keep your equipment secure.
52 days until the Regional Events begin
See you then!
We had a successful Kickoff and I know you’re busy with robot design, but there are two quick items I want to bring to your attention.
The game pieces were chosen this year with the expectation that they would be readily available to teams from WalMart. Unfortunately we recently learned that WalMart only has this item in limited quantities. We’ve been told there are 28,000 pieces available in 319 WalMart stores, but it would be a good idea to go check the shelves of your local store sooner rather than later as these will probably go quickly. WalMart calls the game pieces “Orbit Balls” and unfortunately, they’re not available on the WalMart website. FIRST headquarters plans to have some available for sale, hopefully by next week. I’ll share the details as soon as they are firm.
Also, I suggested in an earlier blog post that you apply hook tape to the bottom of your operator console. Now I can explain why. There’s a good chance this year that robots will slide into the driver station wall hard enough to knock your operator console to the floor. We’ve installed loop tape on the driver station shelf to help you keep your equipment secure.
52 days until the Regional Events begin
See you then!
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