Organization
To meet deadlines and goals, Edina Robotics FIRST Team 1816-The Green Machine, is divided into specialized sub-teams.
There are many projects and tasks that a FIRST Robotics team must accomplish during the year. To meet deadlines and goals, Edina Robotics FIRST Team 1816-The Green Machine, is divided into specialized sub-teams: Drive-train and Chassis; Computer-Aided Design (CAD); Programming and Electrical Wiring; Facilities; Outreach; Business and Finance, and Media and Communications. These sub-teams accomplish assigned tasks that range from promoting the team to corporate sponsors and acquiring funding, to programming a competition robot, to mentoring FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Competition and other FRC teams. Combined, all of these functions make it possible for the entire team to perform well. Team members will often cross over into other sub-teams when working on the robot, and all team members are involved with outreach and corporate fundraising.
Drive-Train and Chassis
This sub-team is in charge of the parts of the robot that allow it to move and are responsible for the skeletal structure of the robot . They help design and construct the robot’s drive-train system. Last-minute adjustments to either the drive-train system or the skeletal structure are made by this team.
Manipulator
This sub-team is responsible for any part of the robot that manipulates objects in the field of play. An example of this would be an arm used to pick up and stack items. They also design and construct the pneumatics that make the robot’s manipulator work.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Using computer drawings, the CAD subteam is able to see which design choices work and which don’t, without having to build multiple prototypes.
The CAD (Computer-aided Design) subteam uses specific drafting software to create designs for the robot. Using computer drawings, they are able to see which design choices work and which don’t, without having to build multiple prototypes. CAD members learn how to simulate the robot’s motion and analyze the robot’s height and weight, which is important because the robot has to meet design specifications or it will be disqualified from competition.
Programming and Electrical
This sub-team is in charge of all of the robot’s electrical systems. This includes the electronics, wiring, circuitry, and sensors. They also develop, write, and edit the computer programs that allow the robot to function in both an autonomous mode (without operator control) as well as when a human operator is in control.
Facilities
This sub-team receives the map of what the playing field should look like from FIRST, and when space permits, they set up a practice field and build game pieces so that we can test our robot before it is shipping to competition and also demonstrate our robot. They also design and set up the pit area at the actual competition. Lastly, they build the shipping crate that the robot is transported in.
Media & Communications
Wherever The Green Machine is in action, a member of this sub-team is there to document it.
Media & Communications coordinates all the team photography, video, and DVD creation. Wherever The Green Machine is in action, a member of this sub-team is there to document it. They are also responsible for the team’s website, act as project managers for 3dStudio Max animation, and various other media projects. The Animation group operates as a sub-team within Media. These sub-team members are also in charge of the team’s internal communication.
Outreach
Every FIRST team is charged with the mission of promoting the benefits of learning the technology and engineering that robotics relies on, and of inspiring young people to investigate careers in the fields of science, technology engineering and math.
Every FIRST team is charged with the mission of promoting the benefits of learning the technology and engineering that robotics relies on, and of inspiring young people to investigate careers in the fields of science, technology engineering and math. Our Outreach sub-team coordinates events, seminars, and activities that reaching out directly to students at other schools, to those involved with other FIRST Robotics teams (including FIRST Lego League), and to our community-at-large. The Chairman’s Award submission is handled by this sub-team.
Business & Finance
Members of this sub-team are, in essence, the team’s advertising crew. Marketing coordinates corporate sponsor presentations. They are in charge of thanking our team’s corporate sponsors and taking the lead in creating other forms of corporate appreciation. This sub-team also creates team presentation materials, including Powerpoint presentations, collateral materials and handouts, as well as overseeing publication of the team’s newsletter. Members also create logos, t-shirts, giveaways, and costumes for a team mascot. The Business Captain also is in charge of the team’s financial records and act as team treasurer.
