(Transparent-Bac.png)
Meet the Subgroups
Team 1073 works as a team with five subgroups that specialize in specific categories. The team is run by two students known as CEOs. The CEOs work with mentors to interview students for each subgroup's VP position. The CEOs and the five VPs, alongside mentors, make up the Leads Group. This group directs the team in making large decisions.
Mechanical
Mechanical works with power tools like lathes, saws, drills, and mill machines. These students design and build each year's robot. During the pre-season, high school juniors and seniors train the incoming freshmen and sophomores to properly and safely use hand and powered tools in the shop. Students learn how to use Computer Aided Design software like SolidWorks, the industry standard to design and build robots. Calculations for speed and torque are taught to students, so they can predict the robot's speed when completing an action. These real world skills are then applied during the build and competition seasons.
Business and Competition Strategy
The Business and Competition Strategy, abbreviated as BACS, subgroup handles two aspects of the team: the business and competition strategy sides. During the pre-season, BACS trains students skills like game analysis, working with numbers, and time calculations. As part of our pre-season training, students review past FRC and FTC games to predict the winning strategy. Students apply skills taught in English and writing classes to produce news articles, write letters to sponsors, and publish each weeks news letter. All team merchandise is proudly handled by BACS students that work to compile orders and respond to questions. Merchandise designs are generated by BACS graphic design artists. During build season, BACS works out the ideal strategy to accomplish the team's goal. These students complete score and time predictions based on measurements of the field.
Electrical
Electrical works with Mechanical to wire the robot with motor controllers, motors, sensors, computers, and any custom circuitry. Students are taught electrical safety measures, such as how to properly cover a live terminal. A volt meter is used by students to check continuity and to ensure the robot will pass inspection. These students learn how to run wires, so they do not get caught on moving parts. While designing the robot, Electrical uses computer aided design software like SolidWorks to create an electrical board layout.
Integration
Integration manages the team's schedule; they keep the team updated with the latest progress reports. Students are taught how to use Microsoft Project to schedule and manage resources. Scheduling is not Integrations's only job: these students establish and promote a safety culture, where students do not only keep themselves safe, but they also encourage other students to be safe. Each year, Integration creates a Safety Quiz that all students and mentors must pass to attend competition. This quiz covers basic safety along with questions about what to do in the event of a fire, chemical spill, or evacuation.
Software
Software codes each year's robot to respond to driver controls. For the 15 seconds at the beginning of a match where the robot must drive itself without input from the human drivers or operators, using these students's code to effectively drive the robot. Students use sensors to map the area and, based on locations, the distance the robot can move to autonomously avoid objects. These students learn how to code in more than one language and to test their abilities each year with new challenges.