FIRST ROBOTICS

1. FIRST ROBOTICS • The Build Season

2. Who We Are

3. The FIRST Competition • Multiple challenges • Everyone can participate by meeting the basics. • Meet the basics early so that you have time to implement.

4. The Build Season • Kick Off • Week 1 - Design • Weeks 2-4 Build • Weeks 5-6 Test • End of week 6 Robot ships.

5. The Design • Break kids into groups • Have each group come up with a design • Spend a day having the kids debate their ideas • Finalize and present the design

6. Building a Bot • Break it down into sub systems • Frame • Drive Train • Electronics • Pneumatics • Special Systems

7. Know the rules • Weight limit is an upper limit. • Size limit is an outer limit. • $3000 is the spending limit. • People will suggest solutions that are against the rules. Have a “rules” team/ rules captain that knows how to say NO!

8. Set up budgets • Split your team up. • Have team leaders for various sub-systems • Have a core team that can manage size and weight budgets as well as the other teams.

9. The Frame • This is your robots backbone • Start out with the basic frame and build from there • Give yourselves room to grow. • 8020 Aluminum • Bolts/ Welds/Rivits/Glue • Steel is a bad word

10. Drive Train • Let the challenge be your guide. • 4 CIM motor limit • You can only use motors from the kit of parts • Know how tight to torque down your wheels • Make a checklist for between matches

11. Electronics • Set up test benches • Consider making an electronics module • Tie down your battery! • Make a checklist!

12. Pneumatics • Use the spike relay to control the compressor. • Consider removing the compressor all together. • Use a systematic approach • Plastic quick connects

13. Trust in the kids • Every crazy idea your kids will come up with will probably be used by somebody successfully. • Give the kids the chance to fail. • Have a group that works on the back-up plan.

14. Model things FIRST • Draw pictures • Make mockups • Use legos • Use Cad • Google Sketch-up?

15. The Design Cycle • Start out by deciding what the challenges/problems are. • Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem. • Plan out your solution. • Implement your solution. • Test your solution.

16. What is the problem? • Last year one of the major challenges was building a robot capable of kicking a ball. • We had about 5 kids propose solutions to that problem. • We broke the kids up into groups. • Each group modeled one solution. • We tested the solutions and decided on a plan.

17. Brain Storm Sessions • Brainstorming sessions can be unproductive. Don’t let things get out of control. • Give kids the opportunity to think things through on their own. • Make parts available for them to see. • Hold all kids on the team accountable. • Have kids bring their ideas to the table.

18. Choose a solution • Based on children’s contributions have student teams choose a solution. • Plan how to actually implement the solution. • Consult your budgets/rules/drawings!

19. Implement your solution • Using your plan/drawings fabricate the parts that you need. • Precision is key! • Consult your budget/update your overall drawings. • This is a good time to update your parts list.

20. Test your work • Test your work. • Refine your solution • Eliminate things that aren’t necessary • See if there are ways to make things better • Look for conflicts • Update your budgets and drawings

21. Repeat • Have kids do this throughout the build season. • Your robot isn’t done until its in the crate waiting for FedEx

22. Share • Share what you learn • Share your work. • If you get help, pass it on.

23. Links • www.usfirst.org • www.ChiefDelphi.com • www.Mcmaster.com • www.AndyMark.com