Wiki

Qualifications
Scouting:
At tournaments, there are various ways of scouting that can be done to improve your chances of doing well. They are as follows:

• Match scouting: Before each qualification match, it is extremely important that you go and talk to your alliance partner, to coordinate autonomous programs, match strategies, and any other miscellaneous aspects to the upcoming match. This will also tie in with the second way if scouting.

• General tournament scouting: Throughout s tournament, it is helpful to take notes on each team/robot in attendance. Whether it be a quick robot summary, or detailed notes on the successes and weak points of each mechanism, doing so will allow you to be better prepared for your matches. This ties in to the 1st way of scouting, as you should be taking down notes on your alliance partners and opponents after every match.

When it comes time for alliance selection, having notes and scouting data is extremely helpful when deciding on who to pick for the elimination bracket. They will also help you to find any “hidden gems” that might be a better pick than some of the higher ranked robots. Scouting will also prepare you if a team decides to use the “scorched earth” strategy (go down the line of teams and ask each one until one accepts) to mess up any potential powerhouse alliances.

Alliance selection
BO1
Skills
Judging
Who qualifies

technik3k · October 2, 2019, 8:48am

Beyond the competition

What else is there in VRC beyond going to competitions?

technik3k · October 2, 2019, 8:49am

School based vs independent team / fundraising

TBD

technik3k · October 2, 2019, 8:53am

Tips for organizing the team

Getting Started in Robotics (Tips and Advice)

https://www.roboticseducation.org/resources_library/how-to-start-and-organize-a-vrc-team/

List of products/items to purchase?
What parts should I not buy?

Should this be here or moved up to post 25?
Help motivating procrastinators to do their job
How to help combat un-involved team members

How many people on a team?

technik3k · October 2, 2019, 9:07am

Tools

Sort tools in order of importance…
Add pictures?

wrenches 1/4, 11/32
screwdrivers hex (5/64,3/32), star (T?)
pliers, needlenose pliers, diagonal cutters, etc…
tabletop grinder
dremel

Custom Tools:

…

Tips:

Don’t strip screw heads - sharpen Hex screwdrivers regularly!

…

Safety considerations:

Wear goggles!!!
…

Color coding screwdrivres and wrenches:
vex_tool_set1

Special tools

Insert puller:

insert_puller

Drilling template:

drilling_template_1

drilling_template_2

Bearing cutting template:

bearing_template_1

bearing_template_2

technik3k · October 2, 2019, 9:16am

Alternative part sources

https://www.robosource.net

VEX Cost Reductions
Vex Low Cost Identical Legal Parts Compilation
Cheaper Option for Nylon Washers

Cheap Alternative Tiles

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:30am

Reserved for all Omni tank drive

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:31am

Reserved for X-Drive wiki entry

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:34am

Reserved for H-Drive wiki entry

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-drive

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:36am

Reserved for Mecanum wheels drivetrain wiki entry

Code examples:

Vexcode Mecanum Wheel Program

Tank control

int left = Controller.Axis3.position(vex::percent);
int right = Controller.Axis2.position(vex::percent);
int sideways = Controller.Axis4.position(vex::percent);

//you can also calculate this...
int turn =    (right - left) * 0.5;
int forward = (right + left) * 0.5;

frontRight.spin(vex::forward, right - sideways, vex::percent);
frontLeft.spin(vex::forward,  left  + sideways, vex::percent);
backRight.spin(vex::forward,  right + sideways, vex::percent);
backLeft.spin(vex::forward,   left  - sideways, vex::percent);

Arcade Drive

int forward = Controller.Axis3.position(vex::percent);
int sideways = Controller.Axis4.position(vex::percent);
int turn = Controller.Axis1.position(vex::percent);

frontRight.spin(vex::forward, forward - sideways + turn, vex::percent);
frontLeft.spin(vex::forward,  forward + sideways - turn, vex::percent);
backRight.spin(vex::forward,  forward + sideways + turn, vex::percent);
backLeft.spin(vex::forward,   forward - sideways - turn, vex::percent);

A Holonomic drive is free to move in any direction without having to rotate around its axis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holonomic_(robotics)

One form consists of 3 or 4 omniwheels mounted at angles to each other. It is good for lateral movement, and increases speed and power of turns. However, linear drive speed and power are decreased since some or all of the powered wheels run at angles to the bot’s motion. All wheels must be omni wheels in order for this drive to function. The 4-wheel version is referred to as " X-Drive".

Another omniwheel Holonomic drive is the “H-Drive”, where 1 omniwheel is placed at right angles to the other four conventionally mounted omniwheels.

Mecanum drive is holonomic drive where four mechanum wheels are placed in a tank drive format. The wheels should look like this when looking from top:

Like all holonomic drives, mechanum bots can strafe, and does so with a simple rectangular base. However, mechanum wheels have rollers that slip, reducing traction and pushing power.

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:42am

Reserved for additional drivetrain discussion entry

Kiwi:

Lynfield:

Swerve:

…

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:46am

Reserved for additional drivetrain discussion entry

Are tracked vehicles viable in Vex?

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:48am

Reserved for additional drivetrain discussion entry 1

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:49am

Reserved for additional drivetrain discussion entry 2

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:49am

Reserved for additional drivetrain discussion entry 3

technik3k · November 30, 2019, 2:50am

Reserved for comparison of the VEX wheel types

Conversion of the robot weight into tractive force:

https://sites.google.com/site/dkellytest1/drive-systems/comparison-of-wheels