Subteams
The team is typically subdivided into the following subteams: Mechanical/CAD, Electrical, Programming, and Fundraising/Awards, and in some years Scouting.. However, every year is different, depending on the team's strengths, needs and individual interests. Each subgroup has at least one student Lead, though in some cases (i.e., Mechanical), there are multiple leads. The subgroups overlap in their work and collaboration between subgroups is as important part of the design and build process.
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Mechanical/CAD
The mechanical subteam is the largest subteam, and focuses on the construction the framework and all the mechanisms that go on the robot. We begin with the design of the robot using OnShape, a free online Computer -Aided Design (CAD) system. The second step is the fabrication of the physical robot.
Common mechanical tasks include the use of power tools to create parts and the assembly of said parts. Due to the potential danger of such tasks, Team 1389 makes sure that every member is trained on how to safely use each tool and that everyone feels comfortable asking for help if they are not. Team 1389 also looks to teach risk-assessment where members can look at a situation and see the potential dangers that could arise depending on how a task is completed.
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Once the fabrication is complete, the only tangible items not on the robot are the wires.
Programming
FRC Programming, at the very core of it, is writing code that monitors input from sensors and humans through controllers, and translates that into output from motors and actuators. On Team 1389, the programming team writes the code that allows the robot to move after it has been designed, built, and wired. However, because the code we write is for the physical systems that are designed and wired, the programming team maintains close communication with the other subteams to avoid writing code for features that were never implemented.
The programming team is split into sub teams based on individual projects, such as programming an individual mechanism on the robot, integrating a sensor or controller into our student-written library, or writing a game simulation in Unity. Each team will range from 1 to multiple people, depending on the complexity of the task. We use git for version control, which lets multiple members work on the same task, and explore different options for implementation without messing up the main task.
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One of the most interesting things in robotics programming is the automation of various systems on the robot. This can range from using drive train wheel-mounted encoders (sensor that measures how much a shaft rotates) to using a gyro that measures the robot’s angle to drive the robot along a spline, or using PID control to move a system arm to a specific angle. This automation is meant to simplify operation of the robot, and speed up vital operations, which in turn increases the capacity of the robot to score.
On the Team 1389 Robotics team programming team, members learn:
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Object Oriented Design in Java
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Computer Vision using OpenCV in Python
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Git & Github
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Control Systems theory such as PID Loops
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Collaborative Software Design
Electrical
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Our FRC Electrical subteam is an essential part of the team as it is responsible for maintaining, organizing, and creating the wiring of the robot. Electrical provides the “infrastructure” that allows the programming team to control the mechanisms designed by the mechanical team. The wiring allows the signals to go throughout the robot and allows the systems that the mechanical team has created and work.
We begin the preseason by learning the basics of electrical like how each component works, how current flows, volts, resistance, amps, how to properly wire robots, electrical safety, crimping, basic wiring, general components within FRC and how to properly design an electrical board. These skills are essential when working with the robot as it allows basic understanding of how the robot is able to move.
Learning how to design the electrical board is important as it allows students to learn proper spacing of each component and how to keep the robot well-maintained and organized. By learning what each component does students are better able to learn where the best position is for each component.
The electrical subteam works closely with our programming team in order to maintain the wires and ensure that everything within the robot is connected correctly. The electrical subteam is an essential part of testing the robot so we can test that the robot is able to move and all of the mechanical systems function well. There is a constant back and forth between the programming team and electrical team since many of the symptoms of problems within the robot are similar between the wiring and the code. Furthermore, the electrical team works hand in hand with all of the subteams since many of our components are placed depending on what systems we add to the robot and the type of sensors we decide to use.
Awards & Outreach
COMING SOON
Scouting
Scouts are an essential piece of any FRC team. Not only do they gather data on other teams and their robots in competition, which influences the decisions our team must make later on down the road, but they also must foster positive relationships with the other teams in our district and analyze all options available when deciding on strategies.
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The scouting team both observes matches from the stands and gathers data from the pit where the other teams keep all the supplies necessary to keep their robots in peak condition. In the pit, robots may be observed from up close, and the teams are around to supply information on how their robots function, as well as information on awards. The stands, on the other hand, are where the scouts get to see the robots in play. This is a critical part of Scouting because we can see how the robots actually work, despite what teams have told us.
During competitions, the scouting team makes crucial decisions about which teams to create alliances with before team selections occur, depending on how the team has done throughout the tournament as well as how well the team has been pitched to the others.
There’s a massive set of skills to be learned while on the scouting team, including data analysis, basic programming, and communication.
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