| | 1 | = Pit Design |
| | 2 | The pit lives primarily for 2 reasons: |
| | 3 | 1. to serve as the pit, where the robot is parked and repaired |
| | 4 | 2. to serve as a hub for the team, to perform outreach and marketing |
| | 5 | |
| | 6 | == The Physical Pit |
| | 7 | |
| | 8 | '''!Requirements/Considerations'''[[BR]] |
| | 9 | * all items brought must fit inside the pit (no items sprawling out) |
| | 10 | * there will (probably) be a table you can't remove |
| | 11 | * safe and effective working condition |
| | 12 | * display of sponsors, other outreach/marketing items |
| | 13 | |
| | 14 | '''Constraints:'''[[BR]] |
| | 15 | * dimensions |
| | 16 | * technically a 10'x10' space, but usually 9'x9', and sometimes 8'x8'; a good design will work in as small as 8'x8' but not be constraining in a 10'x10' space |
| | 17 | * nominal height limits set by venue, but usually ~10' |
| | 18 | * electrical power: there is usually a limit per team and a limit per 6 teams at district competitions |
| | 19 | * cannot daisy chain (power strip + power strip) |
| | 20 | |
| | 21 | {{{#!div style="border: 1pt dashed; color:blue" |
| | 22 | '''"What are all the things you need to bring to the pit?"''' |
| | 23 | |
| | 24 | From that list, think about how might you ''most conveniently'' |
| | 25 | * store '''each item''' in the pit |
| | 26 | * access/display '''each item''' in the pit |
| | 27 | * transport '''each item''' |
| | 28 | |
| | 29 | |
| | 30 | As with all iterative engineering, ask '''"How can we do better?" |
| | 31 | }}} |
| | 32 | |
| | 33 | === Other Things to Think About |
| | 34 | * What is the workflow of each match cycle? Will people bump into each other as they crowd around the same spot where batteries and bumpers are stored? |
| | 35 | * What if you get a corner spot? Are two sides open or just one? |
| | 36 | * What do you do with all the jackets and bags team members will bring? |
| | 37 | * What to do with stuff other teams give you? |
| | 38 | |
| | 39 | == People in the Pit |
| | 40 | Everyone who's in the pit should have something to do. Everyone who's there should understand what they're responsible for and when. For example, |
| | 41 | * Billy Joe Fisher : responsible for replacing the battery before each match |
| | 42 | * Ellen B. Evergales : in charge of pit operations; has the authority to kick out people who aren't doing anything if space is crowded |
| | 43 | * Alai Suetterl : performs checkup of robot immediately after each match |
| | 44 | * Dan R. Campbell : reads off items on the pre-match checklist and ensures each item is completed |
| | 45 | |
| | 46 | {{{#!div style="border:1pt dotted; color:red" |
| | 47 | For every match cycle, the robot will need to be examined. To ensure that all items are checked, you should really use a '''checklist''' of items to check. |
| | 48 | |
| | 49 | {{{#!div style="1pt dotted; color:orange" |
| | 50 | '''Qualities of a Good Checklist'''[[BR]] |
| | 51 | * detailed and precise enough that someone else could take over if needed |
| | 52 | * broken up into individual tests of specific things |
| | 53 | * don't say "check all connections", but "tighten bolts on arm-shooter connection" |
| | 54 | }}} |
| | 55 | |
| | 56 | When you carry out the checklist, there should be at least 2 people. One person reads off each item from the checklist; the other ''actually'' performs each check. Ideally, a third person can double check each item's completion. |
| | 57 | }}} |
| | 58 | |
| | 59 | == Practice |
| | 60 | 1. Practice setting up the pit, especially if it's complicated. |
| | 61 | * you can check you have all the parts/tools necessary |
| | 62 | * people can get a feel for how the pit will be run |
| | 63 | 2. Assign roles beforehand, make sure each person understands their role |
| | 64 | |
| | 65 | = Current Pit Design & Components |
| | 66 | ?? ?? |
| | 67 | |
| | 68 | = Previous Pit Components ''(listed in reverse-chronological order)'' |
| | 69 | These are just the previously used items. ''There are definitely better solutions out there.'' |
| | 70 | == curved trade show display |
| | 71 | A 10 ft. long curved display structure with soft material backing (allows velcro attachment). |
| | 72 | |
| | 73 | === PROS |
| | 74 | * easy to attach anything with velcro |
| | 75 | * somewhat flexible in where it is placed |
| | 76 | * hollow space inside in which to hide things |
| | 77 | * single carrying case |
| | 78 | |
| | 79 | === CONS |
| | 80 | * large, unwieldy setup, esp. if not practiced beforehand |
| | 81 | * expansion of the inner frame can take a good bit of space |
| | 82 | * very tricky to assembly correctly (such that it ''stays'' assembled) |
| | 83 | |
| | 84 | == steel & wood carts |
| | 85 | |
| | 86 | === PROS |
| | 87 | * simple |
| | 88 | * wheels |
| | 89 | |
| | 90 | === CONS |
| | 91 | * extremely heavy (some places dangerous) |
| | 92 | * require a trailer (or similar) to transport |
| | 93 | |
| | 94 | == cube frame |
| | 95 | A 9 ft. cube made of 16 aluminum frame pieces and 16 pairs of fasteners. |
| | 96 | |
| | 97 | === PROS |
| | 98 | * simple |
| | 99 | * enables hanging of elements from any segment |
| | 100 | |
| | 101 | === CONS |
| | 102 | * separate and heavy parts |
| | 103 | * restricted to a 9' cube (some other configurations possible, see below) |
| | 104 | |
| | 105 | === Other Configurations |
| | 106 | It is possible to have a few other configurations of the frame besides a 9' cube, although they are still just as (or more) constraining. |
| | 107 | * remove one side |
| | 108 | * lower entire frame by 1/2 (and remove front side) |
| | 109 | * use only 3 sides (one corner) |
| | 110 | |
| | 111 | == pvc pipe frame |
| | 112 | A modular frame of PVC elements. |
| | 113 | |
| | 114 | === PROS |
| | 115 | * easily sourced, easily assembled |
| | 116 | * lightweight |
| | 117 | |
| | 118 | === CONS |
| | 119 | * looks much less professional |
