Agenda:
Please Note: This page serves as a record of what happened on Oct 28, 2017. Presentations may be found linked in the descriptions below.
Track 1: Beginners
Motors 101
Presented by Tom Milnes – Team 2199
This session will cover the basics of selecting the motors to use for various applications, the types of limitations imposed by FIRST on the number and type of motors, and the parameters of motors which team members need to be aware of during design and build. Some recommendations for working within typical FRC constraints of the game as well as physical constraints will be discussed. This will provide a foundation for the drive train system discussion, and relate to manipulator design as well.
Presentation for Motors 101 // Back to the top.
Drive Train / Chassis 101
Presented by Tom Milnes – Team 2199
The basics of Chassis and Drive Train for FIRST Robotics Competition. The chassis and drive train are the foundational elements of an FRC robot, upon which, all else rests. At the very least you can play defense if you have these two. What materials and manufacturing techniques should you use? What’s a mecanum drive and why would you use it? These and many other questions will be answered.
Presentation for Chassis – Drive Train 101 // Back to the top.
Electrical and Wiring 101
Presented by Caitlyn Byrne – Team 3941
Voltage? Current? AWGs? PWMs? What are all these things?
This presentation will walk you through the fundamentals of electricity and wiring in ways that will make your electronics teacher cringe! We will take a tour of (almost) everything you need to know to get your robot wired and moving, with a few tips on the side.
Presentation for Electronics 101 // Back to the top.
Sensors 101
Presented by Caitlyn Byrne – Team 3941
Touch? Distance? IR? Vision? How many sensors does that robot really need? This presentation will walk you through (at a high level) the different types of sensors available. We will walk through the whys and pitfalls of sensors commonly found in FRC, as well as providing purchasing recommendations based on experience.
Presentation for Sensors 101 // Back to the top.
Manipulators 101
Presented by Tom Milnes – Team 2199
Manipulators are the point scoring elements of FRC robots, and can help in defense too. This presentation will review the basic types, choices and construction techniques for manipulators.
Presentation for Manipulators 101 // Back to the top.
Track 2: Advanced Topics
Robot Autonomous and Autonomy
Presented by Eli Barnett and Noah Gleason – Team 449
Why accomplish something manually that a machine can do better? Learn the ins and outs of robot automation. Special emphasis will be placed on approaches to accurate robot movement, which is fundamental to a successful autonomous routine.
Presentation for Robot Autonomous and Autonomy //
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Vision Processing
Presented by Benji Albert – Team 2537
This session will walk you through the various ways that vision can be applied to your robot. From tuning cameras for retroreflective tape, HSV color segmentation, off board processing, PID control loops, and everything in between.
Presentation for Vision // Back to the top.
Sensor Integration and Advanced Sensors and Controllers
Presented by Sharon Brackett
Using sensors effectively and in consort with systems can make or break an effective robot. Learn how to use sensors, calibration, distributed sensor nets and pairing with mechanical components.
Presentation for Sensor Integration // Back to the top.
Design for Service and Repair
Presented by Sharon Brackett
Having a process to develop and sustain your robot will get you to the field faster and improve your ability to complete. Learn methodologies from an experienced FRC Mentor and CSA that will help to achieve your design and make it serviceable in competition.
Presentation for Design For Service // Back to the top.
Surviving Inspection
Presented by Kevin Genson
Meet the Chesapeake District Senior Robot Inspector and learn about how to make inspection a fun and enjoyable process. In addition to discussing common mistakes a lot of teams make (particularly bumpers) and how to ensure that inspection goes smoothly, the session will end with an open Q&A where you can ask the Senior Robot Inspector anything you want.
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Track 3: Operations and Building
Pit Operations and Management
Presented by Sharon Brackett
Winning requires more than a good bot and drive team. Learn best practices to have your robot ready for every match. How to operate in the pit and what roles exist for a tight coordinated effective pit crew. Sharon mentored an FRC team for five years and has spent the last three years volunteering as a CSA at Chesapeake Competitions.
Presentation for Pit Operations and Management // Back to the top.
Making a Kit of Parts Robot Go (Session 1)
Presented by Kim Smith – Team 4505
The Kit of Parts robot, often referred to as the KitBot, comes with some instructions on how to put it together mechanically; however, there is little documentation on how to get it ready for the playing field. You’ll be guided through a brief lessons learned of the KitBot mechanical build. Then some hands on exercises will be conducted on wiring practices and other tips learned throughout many years.
This session is limited to 20 students. Please register online in advance to attend. Registration will be limited to 2 students per team, unless your team is a 1st or 2nd year Rookie team.
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Making a Kit of Parts Robot Go (Session 2)
Presented by Kim Smith – Team 4505
The Kit of Parts robot, often referred to as the KitBot, comes with some instructions on how to put it together mechanically; however, there is little documentation on how to get it ready for the playing field. You’ll be guided through a brief lessons learned of the KitBot mechanical build. Then some hands on exercises will be conducted on wiring practices and other tips learned throughout many years.
This session is limited to 20 students. Please register online in advance to attend. Registration will be limited to 2 students per team, unless your team is a 1st or 2nd year Rookie team.
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Track 4: Java Programming
Beginning Java Programming
Presented by Eric Newhall and Laurence Meyers – Team 2849
Take your first steps into the world of java programming. In this session we will cover the basics of programming and java, including syntax, variables, objects, and errors.
Must bring your own laptop- with Java SDK, Eclipse and WPILib loaded, FIRST Driver’s Station optional
Presentation for Java Pt.1 // Back to the top.
Advanced Java Programming
Presented by Eric Newhall and Laurence Meyers – Team 2849
A deeper dive into java and FRC. In this session we will cover more advanced programming topics, including setting up your development environment for work on FIRST robot code, debugging and a closer look at the WPI Robotics Library.
Must bring your own laptop- with Java SDK, Eclipse and WPILib loaded, FIRST Driver’s Station optional
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Track 5: Tools and Techniques
Applying CAD to FRC
Presented by JJ Biel-Goebel – Team 1389
This talk will start users down the path of using CAD for FRC. We will walk through the design process, scheduling benchmarks for CAD and touch on all of the down stream applications for the CAD data.
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Concepts of Computer Aided Design
Presented by JJ Biel-Goebel – Team 1389
Now that we know why we want to use CAD, we need to learn about the basics. This talk will walk users through the creation of a small robot in solidworks. Autodesk inventor and fusion 360 will be referenced as well as we walk through the creation of custom parts, the gathering of standard parts and the assembly and joining of models to form a complete structural system. Tips on how to organize and set up your product tree will also be discussed.
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CAD – Final Assembly
Presented by JJ Biel-Goebel – Team 1389
Once you know the basics you are ready to learn about how to model detail parts and simple assemblies. FRC robots can be made out of more than 200 parts and 300 fasteners. When modeling at this scale we recommend that you learn some more of the advanced ways of thinking about CAD; Model Based Design, Relational Design, Parametric Design, Product Data Management and Design for Manufacturing
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Pneumatics
Presented by Ross Johnson – Team 2537
PSI? Regulators? Valves? Tired of rotary motion?
Pneumatics are a great way to add linear motion to your robot. Learn the ins and outs of basic to advanced pneumatic assemblies and how to apply them to your robot’s mechanisms!
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Team Captain Roundtable
For team captains (veteran and new) to discuss issues among themselves. What advice would you pass to other team captains? What situations are you worried about that others can provide advice on?
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Track 6: Planning and Managing
Beginner Workshop: Suggestions for Rookies
Presented by Mike Dennis – Team 1719
Just what did you get yourself involved in? How can you prepare for the pre-season, the build season, and competitions?
This session will walk you through some behaviours, cautions, suggestions and time management tips to get you through your rookie FRC year, both on and off the field.
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Game Analysis, Strategy and Scoring
Presented by Anne Shade and Steve Shade
This session will discuss development of game strategies from two veterans of FRC who have over 40 years of combined experience in the competition. The session will discuss how FRC games can be analyzed to develop winning strategies and how the strategies can be executed at competition through effective coaching and scouting. While all are welcome, this session is designed for new and experienced mentors and experienced students looking for more information on game strategy.
Presentation for Game Analysis // Back to the top.
Mentor Roundtable – MRA, FIRST Chesapeake, FRC Documentation and Training Collaboration
Moderated by Jeff Meyers
MRA and Mentors roundtable w/ moderator Jeff Meyers: Update on MRA and FIRST Chesapeake, and an oppotunity for mentors (veteran and new, of all disciplines) to discuss issues among themselves. One specific topic will focus on: How can teams better share lessons learned and best practices? How can each team avoid the steep learning curve for new mentors by leveraging documentation from other teams? This roundtable discussion- for mentors only- will discuss options and ideas for how to better collaborate.
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Managing Your Robot Build Project
Presented by Serena Debesai and Daniel Pedersen – Team 449
How can a group of teenagers field a competitive robot in ONLY 6 WEEKS?!? Successful project management and effective communication are key: learn examples and pro-level principles from our case study of planning, tracking and adapting our schedule using Basecamp, an online platform.
Presentation for Manage your Robot Build // Back to the top.
Safety Management: Safety Glasses are Only the Beginning
Presented by Daniel Pedersen – Team 449
The safety glasses we all wear at FIRST don’t make us invincible! We need to identify all the hazards we face, and plan accordingly. In this interactive session you’ll learn to implement the principles of the international standard for safety management (OHSAS 18001) in your team.
Presentation for Safety Management // Back to the top.
Track 7: Building a Better Team
Team Organization
Presented by Team 1111
This workshop provides guidance for developing general team structure and leadership roles. . It will also go through example organizational structures that can fit to teams of all sizes. Mentors and students will be provided with the tools they need to make team organization and overall productivity more effective.
Presentation for Team Organization // Back to the top.
Community and School Outreach and Engagement
Presented by Chuck Trautwein – Team 1629
An FRC team is all about how it defines and achieves its success. FRC 1629, GaCo, would like to lead a discussion on establishing your team’s vision and some methods used to make your vision a reality. Topics will include successful methods of community and school outreach and engagement as well as how to develop a useful business plan to support your team’s vision and goals… which may come in handy when it comes time to submit your team’s Entrepreneurship award!
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Awards
Presented by Team 1111 and Team 1629
This workshop will help outline how to take all the great things you as a team do in the community and package it in a consistent and appealing way to help with winning awards. Various documentation for judges will be discussed in addition to the steps needed to submit for the Chairman’s Award.
Presentation for Awards // Back to the top.
Student Leadership Principle and Practices
Presented by Team 1111
In this workshop, students will discuss various topics essential to running a successful FRC team, including, time management, delegation, and team morale.. This workshop will be discussion based; students are encouraged to comment on and pose questions based on the content being discussed.
Presentation for Student Leadership Training // Back to the top.
Team Image and Branding
Presented by Team 1111
This workshop teaches teams how to create a consistent image in terms of developing and maintain an overall brand vision and mission. It then provides an outline on the steps needed to rebrand a team to help increase recognition in your local and district community.
Presentation for Team Branding // Back to the top.