Rule 19, Storage:  Once the ref inspects your equipment, you may store things as needed in Base, or in a box, either held by one of the two people at the table, or possibly on a stand, if stands are allowed at your event (decided by your tournament’s officials – check with them in advance).
Also remember:  Team members other than the two at the table may not hold equipment.

I've seen discussions from coaches in other regions who think that any changes to the people running the robot are inefficient.  But, I have seen plenty of teams who do quite well having specialists tag in and out.

As a volunteer, it is my perception that teams who have various members operating the robot (either during a single match or between different matches) are likely to have members who are engaged, excited, and aware of details of their robot design.  But I don't have any data to show whether that is true or makes a difference :-)

That's just my 2 cents worth.

Steve

On Nov 4, 2010, at 2:35 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:

> My question is what is the best way for our team to hold attachments during a match. What has worked well for others?  Also, any opinion on two kids running a match vs specific mission specialists tagging in and out? Thanks
> 
> 
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
> 
> ----- Reply message -----
> From: "Eric Palmer" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Thu, Nov 4, 2010 1:42 pm
> Subject: [VADCFLL-L] NXT merry go round effect
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> 
> My team this year had a robot with a particular mission and attachment set
> that had a "veer left bias" They changed the whole robot to our backup and
> it "veered very slightly right" on further inspection the first robot has an
> axle going through a beam that has been damaged so there was more friction
> on the left side.
> 
> For the right bias they moved a counter weight to the left and the robot
> goes straight most of the time.  But even with that it varies, sometimes
> badly.
> 
> We are using disposable batteries this year and they monitor voltage
> closely.  The front missions they use fully or nearly fully changed
> batteries and the last mission they use batteries whose top voltage has been
> lowered.
> 
> They use a slight moist cloth to wipe the dust off the table before practice
> and we occasionally wipe the dust off the wheels and let the tires dry.
> They store the robot upside down so the wheels don't get flat spots.
> 
> The team pays attention to many more factors for repeatability as well.
> 
> But that said we still have problems with erratic behavior.  Turing for
> example seems to work best (for repeatability) one wheel at a time.  That
> slows down the missions but makes the missions more repeatable.
> 
> All learning opportunities.
> 
> Eric
> 
> On Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 1:24 PM, Nagesh Chintada
> <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> 
> > This is hard to figure out without seeing it, but couple of questions come
> > to mind:
> > 1. Has your team tried to reduce the power, to say, 50 or below?
> > 2. How is the robot balance and center of gravity? For example, does it
> > happen if the attachments are removed?
> > 3. I noticed that sometimes loose wheels can cause strangest behaviors in
> > movement, so not a bad idea to check if the any part of the attachments/
> > frame and wheels are not loose.
> >
> > Just a comment: The great fun of FLL is ruined especially to rookie teams
> > because of all the variability in the NXT Robots. These are no doubt complex
> > products, and it is not easy to get consistent behavior. It requires some
> > experience and lots of practice. This is not my first year, but I am still
> > learning.
> >
> > I wish Lego or FLL would make it easier for all the teams - and improve the
> > fun factor - by providing some basic information/ instructions/ best
> > practices to reduce variability as part of the NXT kit or FLL kit. Just a
> > thought. I'd like to see more teams having more fun than struggle so much..
> >
> > Nagesh
> >
> >
> 
> 
> 

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