Help for Rookie Teams

Review our engineering portfolio. Feedback is welcome. Feel free to use for inspiration in your own portfolio!

*updates to the portfolio will occur regularly through the season. You may be viewing an "old" version of the portfolio at any given time*

Learn about our use of motor encoders, custom PID control, bang-bang control, and more.

Not sure what to bring to competition? Check out our checklist!

Download the 1-page inspection checklist from FIRST and read our tips and tricks!

Since hosting our own qualifiers, we have some insightful info on the judged awards. Check it out!

Each motor axle shaft rotates. 1 complete rotation of the motor shaft is converted into a number of "ticks" for the motor encoder. For The HEX motors pictured above, one rotation is 2660 ticks. (other motors may have values you can find online, or you can do a tick check yourself). Knowing this exact number allows you to make the motors move to a precise location. If using FTC Blocks, you will need to adjust your program to do commands based on the encoder value. 

The tutorial from FIRST shows how to setup a simple motion using encoders. Translate this information to meet your needs, and voila! Expect more accurate and precise motions!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxe0NJGJL08

It can be a little overwhelming going to your first few FTC competitions. Different competitions will offer different amounts of support and materials needed for the day(s). It is always best to reach out to the coordinators of the event to ask specifics about what to bring, what is provided, and what to expect. However, the list below can help prepare you for some of the most common competition day needs!

• 6ft Table Some competitions provide tables, but many don't. You will likely need one at some point in the season! We like this one: 

• Power Strip(s)

• Extension cords Make sure they are grounded.

• Chairs: small folding chairs or camp chairs work best

• A cart of some kind to carry the robot. Check these suggestions out:

• Safety Glasses: ALL persons in the pit area MUST wear protective eyewear at all times. Most eyeglasses do not count as protective eyewear. We like these glasses: https://a.co/d/hzFZTqM and these clip on shields for eyeglasses https://a.co/d/hzFZTqM. 

• Computers: Be certain to bring your computer to make programming adjustments throughout the day

• Extra parts: Bring at least 1 extra of every piece on the robot, including the battery. If something is going to go wrong, it will happen right in the middle of a competition. Be prepared to make quick adjustments and corrections!

• Power Switch Label: Make sure you have printed the power switch label and placed on/beside your switch. This must be labeled during the entire competition. Here is the link for the template: https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/ftc/power-button-labels.pdf

Not required but suggested/expected:

• Presentation: Think science fair board or poster, highlighting your team members, robot design, strategy, and season highlights. Here is a photo of our most recent board. While this is not required, it is typical for other teams to "scout" out teams they may want to select for the semi-final alliances. It's a good idea to showcase what your robot can do and what your strategy is. Also, it is typical for  judges to come and ask questions in the pits when deliberating for awards. Having a handy reference for them to view this information can be helpful.

• Team Swag/Tokens: It had become a bit of a tradition to have something with your team name/#/logo on it to pass out to other teams. Items such as stickers, rubber bracelets, and buttons are common.