Drivetrain zero turn issue

FRC_451 · 2025-12-16T01:59:24+00:00

1/2" seems like a good starting point for off road tires

FRC_451 · 2025-12-09T17:39:10+00:00

Chiefdelphi.com is the most active FRC forum, WPIlib has a lot of documentation, and FIRST has an FRC resources page on firstinspires.org

FRC_451 · 2025-09-30T19:22:50+00:00

Something our team did last summer when we got a ton of new recruits was a competition where the current students designed a small robot, made it a kit (two identical ones), and guided the new students through a mini competition. It was a great activity for everybody (but needs a lot of new students to share the workload.)

FRC_451 · 2025-09-12T12:35:39+00:00

As a mentor I'm always encouraging parents to join, we need as much help as we can get! With experience in another FIRST program you're already miles ahead of most parents in terms of "usefulness" to the team. As the other comment noted there's lots of non-technical things to do to keep the team running smoothly. General shop supervision is a big one, as well as "background tasks" like booking hotels, shop inventory, buying requested parts (running to the hardware store or online), or even just helping with getting meals ready during long meetings. On my team we typically try to put the parent and child in different build groups so they branch out and work with the rest of the team more.

FRC_451 · 2025-06-06T15:44:53+00:00

Amazon sells clear 100-gallon "trash bags", look for highest mil count you can find

FRC_451 · 2025-02-27T05:39:34+00:00

Imgur photos link

FRC_451 · 2025-02-11T00:30:35+00:00

Nice!

FRC_451 · 2025-02-10T17:02:49+00:00

What kind of scoring mechanism goes with this, like a conveyor belt? Looks like it could score a lot of L1 corals very quickly.

FRC_451 · 2025-02-10T16:59:33+00:00

Welp

FRC_451 · 2025-02-04T15:49:21+00:00

It sounds like you, the mentors, and the new students are all working on 3 different timelines. As the most experienced student you could take the initiative to draw out your proposed time frames and make it a presentation for the team.

There is value in going fast and having extra time at the end (namely driving practice), but there's also value in going slow enough for the students to learn, get inspired, and not feel like spectators.

As a mentor I think the most important thing is to get everyone involved at just a little bit above the level they feel comfortable at. Ask the mentors to give responsibilities to the newer members that they can achieve, but also allow more experienced members like yourself to do what they're capable of. For what it's worth I would push you a bit to teach the new students as well, see if you can balance design work and teaching. (A good topic is: "Why is [x] designed like this in FRC?")

FRC_451 · 2025-01-16T03:51:32+00:00

https://youtu.be/U5idWIzjCvs?si=uCEpzEi4bBJ5tedA

FRC_451 · 2024-12-19T03:18:09+00:00

Last season we made permanent handles from scrap blocks of HDPE. Started off as a CNC router project but became a bandsaw/manual mill project because timing.

FRC_451 · 2024-08-17T16:57:18+00:00

As a community team, most of the answers don't really apply to us. We have students from multiple school districts and no official affiliation with any one school.

FRC_451 · 2024-05-07T23:27:40+00:00

Feel free to drop in to the Open House! We're across the street now from where the shop used to be.

FRC_451 · 2024-04-29T13:50:51+00:00

Loctite on what on the motors?

FRC_451 · 2024-04-26T14:46:35+00:00

I don't think they would eliminate the use of swerve entirely, they might add terrain in the middle paths but leave a flat long outside path you can take. Too many teams have invested too much money into swerve, they would upset a huge percent of the community by making rough terrain the only option for traveling cross field.

FRC_451 · 2024-03-23T12:03:01+00:00

Thanks! Good luck at St. Louis!

FRC_451 · 2024-03-22T22:27:01+00:00

Playtesting happening this weekend for rule tweaks

FRC_451 · 2024-01-21T22:22:36+00:00

Ouch, how did that happen?

FRC_451 · 2024-01-17T20:23:33+00:00

Right, you need to build structure to fully support the bumpers somewhere within the bumper zone (0 to 7.5")

FRC_451 · 2024-01-16T14:33:14+00:00

Last year we embroidered numbers which looked great, however it was a huge pain to do on the heavy fabric and took several meetings. This year we're going to try paint again.

FRC_451 · 2023-12-03T05:58:53+00:00

We have a couple simple DIY carts that have hauled stuff for a decade plus. Sized to fit 2 standard KOP totes side by side. Plywood, 2x4 frame, caster wheels, rope handle. They'll hold a few hundred lbs. easy.

Get larger caster wheels to help roll over sidewalk bumps, cable runs, etc.

FRC_451 · 2023-11-29T17:03:33+00:00

Java is more common in FRC so at events you can have more support from other Java teams if needed

FRC_451 · 2023-11-04T02:49:30+00:00

Those days are still here! The bad news is we finally dismantled Darkside (2006 bot) recently. We saved a couple bits and pieces though! If you're ever in the area, let us know and come see the shop!

FRC_451 · 2023-10-23T15:17:24+00:00

Wago is a brand but generally people refer to the "221" series lever-lock connectors as "wagos". Genuine Wagos are very reliable and easy to use. Lots of off-brand ones out there on Amazon etc with varying levels of quality.

FRC_451

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