Difference between revisions of "DEWBOT VII Ramp Riot"
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==Lessons Learned== | ==Lessons Learned== | ||
| − | # The difference in preparation (vis-à-vis [[DEWBOT VII Duel on the Delaware | Duel on the Delaware]]) was critical. | + | # The difference in preparation (vis-à-vis [[DEWBOT VII Duel on the Delaware | Duel on the Delaware]]) was critical. We may not have won, but we reasonably could have and the degree of chaos was kept low. |
# All batteries were tested and clearly labeled prior to competition. Suspect chargers were also tested prior to competition. (2) new batteries and (2) new chargers were purchased with the result that we had (9) batteries and (7) chargers at the competition; and were able to trust all of them. No battery problems encountered. Good battery protocols are essential. Batteries are a significant capital investment for the team. | # All batteries were tested and clearly labeled prior to competition. Suspect chargers were also tested prior to competition. (2) new batteries and (2) new chargers were purchased with the result that we had (9) batteries and (7) chargers at the competition; and were able to trust all of them. No battery problems encountered. Good battery protocols are essential. Batteries are a significant capital investment for the team. | ||
# We had a good pit checklist, which was attached to both robots to facilitate pit checks. 1640 followed the list & checked. 1641 followed the list but did not document. | # We had a good pit checklist, which was attached to both robots to facilitate pit checks. 1640 followed the list & checked. 1641 followed the list but did not document. | ||
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# We've had a number of hints towards systematic minibot deployment issues in the past (not with the minibot or basic deployment system itself, but with a tendency for the minibot to become unseated during aggressive robot competition). We did not aggressively solve these problems. We paid for this today. | # We've had a number of hints towards systematic minibot deployment issues in the past (not with the minibot or basic deployment system itself, but with a tendency for the minibot to become unseated during aggressive robot competition). We did not aggressively solve these problems. We paid for this today. | ||
# We are capable (now) or running two robots in competition. The benefits of doing so are significant (in terms of training and drive team experience). We need to do this systematically in the future and plan for it. | # We are capable (now) or running two robots in competition. The benefits of doing so are significant (in terms of training and drive team experience). We need to do this systematically in the future and plan for it. | ||
| + | # Scouting - this was resource starved and yet Nicole did a great job here. Thanks! | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Once again, DEWBOT VII ''Prime'' & ''Deux'' performed extremely reliably in competition. These robots just don't break! Gotta love it. | Once again, DEWBOT VII ''Prime'' & ''Deux'' performed extremely reliably in competition. These robots just don't break! Gotta love it. | ||
Revision as of 23:28, 14 November 2011
12-November-2011. Due to the late drop-out of team 1391 (Metal Moose), FRC Team 1640 had the opportunity to field two robots at Ramp Riot. DEWBOT VII Prime, our competition robot was fielded under the 1640 team number by our competition drive team. Deux entered the competition under the nom de guerre 1641 operated by drive-team trainees, giving them invaluable competition driving experience. We also ran two pits, providing training in this area as well.
This is the first time Sab-BOT-age had ever run two robots in a competition and my heartfelt thanks go out to all those who worked so hard to bring Deux from arm-less engineering test bed up to competition condition in the space of one short week.
1640 finished qualificatiions as 14th seed; 1641 as 29th.
1640 was selected by the 3rd alliance, comprising teams 103 (Cybersonics) and 365 (Miracle Workerz). An awesome alliance. We won the quarterfinals and our first semifinal match. Alas, 1640's minibot deployment was unreliable throughout the day (critically, it failed in the 2nd semifinals match) and 103 broke down in the 2nd semifinal match. As a result of these two factors, our alliance was defeated by the 1st alliance (2016, 222, 1403), who went on to become champions.
By a bizarre twist, 1641 was brought into the finals as a replacement robot for 2607. We lost, but ended up as Ramp Riot Finalist.
1640 has participated in Ramp Riot every year since the team's inception, making this our 7th Ramp Riot.
Contents
The resurrection of Deux
Our 2nd 2011 robot, Deux, had been reduced to a inert hulk before Duel on the Delaware. The arm and minibot systems were removed to convert it to a generic testbed chassis. Two pivots were pulled to provide spares for Prime. The line photosensors were pulled. The solenoid module was removed from the cRIO for another Duel team which needed it. Altogether, Deux was far from a competition-ready robot on 4-Nov when we learned of the 2nd robot opportunity.
In addition, improvements made on Prime were to be incorporated in Deux as well, primarily the (3) photosensor line-following (we didn't have a 3rd sensor).
Four long nights later, Deux was ready to compete. Thanks to everyone who put in the effort to make this happen!
Kira, Lucy, Jack & Molly reinstalling Pivots & Minibot system
Kira, Gary Deaver, Molly & Jack reconnect the arm drive
Jack install guard as Ben Kellon looks on
Kucy & Kira install drive belt guards
Molly installs the minibot deployment mounts
Lucy, DJ & Molly reconnect wires
Teamwork (Kira, Molly & Lucy) works in cutting a new Bident shaft
Scott Featherman, Doug, Jack & Faith McKown connect wires and calibrate the arm sensor
Jack & Jarryd modify DEWBOT VI bumpers to fit Deux
Preparations for a 2-robot competition
Team Sab-BOT-age had never operated two robots in a competition before, and preparation eas necessary to make this possible.
From the "mechanical" side, we ordered two additional batteries and chargers; we built a 2nd driver station (which required purchasing a new Cypress); and we also converted our retained set of blue DEWBOT VI bumpers to fit DEWBOT VII. Faith McKown devised very sharp and practical velcro-attached red bumper covers to allow a quick alliance change without requiring a 2nd set of bumpers.
From the "process" side, we established pit check-lists mounted on the robots, organized two pit crews with an integrated battery management section. Preparation was a key aspect to the success of this 2-robot expedition.
Who was there
Students: Sasha, Andrew, Douglas, Ian, Nicole, Molly, Kira, Yahya, Ben, DJ, Jack, Lucy, Patrick C, Sarah, Patrick D
Mentors: Clem & Faith McKown, Julie Christopher, Siri Maley, Gary Deaver, Scott Featherman, Rita Wall
Family & Friends: Marianna Curran, Jarryd, Andrew Horvath & Reagan
- 1640 Driver: Andrew
- 1640 Operator: Sasha
- 1640 Human Players: Yahya, Jack
- 1640 Coach: Siri Maley
- 1641 Drivers: Douglas & Lucy
- 1641 Operators: Jack & Kira
- 1641 Human Players: Patrick D, Ian & Andrew
- 1641 Coach: Clem McKown
- Scouts: Nicole
- Pit Mentors: Gary Deaver & Siri Maley (mechanical), Julie Christopher (Programming) & Scott Featherman (Electrical)
- Pit Crew: Molly (1640 Pit Captain), Douglas (1641 Pit Captain), Lucy, Kira, Sarah, DJ, Patrick C, Patrick D
Problems Encountered
- The Minibot become unreliable on 1640. At least two discrete problems were identified: a) the action of deployment and pin-pulling appears to turn off the switch on minibot #1 (a Prime problem only); and b) rough driving tends to unseat the minibot from its cradle (Pime & Deux).
- On 1641, deploying the minibot generally required more than one trigger action, resulting in lower rankings.
- During the 2nd semifinal, Clem's laptop lost com to the arm control
Lessons Learned
- The difference in preparation (vis-à-vis Duel on the Delaware) was critical. We may not have won, but we reasonably could have and the degree of chaos was kept low.
- All batteries were tested and clearly labeled prior to competition. Suspect chargers were also tested prior to competition. (2) new batteries and (2) new chargers were purchased with the result that we had (9) batteries and (7) chargers at the competition; and were able to trust all of them. No battery problems encountered. Good battery protocols are essential. Batteries are a significant capital investment for the team.
- We had a good pit checklist, which was attached to both robots to facilitate pit checks. 1640 followed the list & checked. 1641 followed the list but did not document.
- We had pit/match check/data lists as well. Again, 1640 provided good data; 1641 not so much.
- We've had a number of hints towards systematic minibot deployment issues in the past (not with the minibot or basic deployment system itself, but with a tendency for the minibot to become unseated during aggressive robot competition). We did not aggressively solve these problems. We paid for this today.
- We are capable (now) or running two robots in competition. The benefits of doing so are significant (in terms of training and drive team experience). We need to do this systematically in the future and plan for it.
- Scouting - this was resource starved and yet Nicole did a great job here. Thanks!
Once again, DEWBOT VII Prime & Deux performed extremely reliably in competition. These robots just don't break! Gotta love it.
Post-Mortem
Ramp Riot Photo Gallery
- DB7 RR 111112 csm-1.jpg
