1. Oakland County Competitive Robotics Association - 2009 Marc Center, GM Engineer, OCCRA VEX Mentor Rob Jenkins, OCCRA Vex Mentor Mark Taylor, Pontiac Teacher, OCCRA Vex Mentor

2. VEX WORKSHOP - Saturday September 26, 2009 MEETING AGENDA What’s New for 2009 ? 1New 2008 VEX Inventors Manual is online 2 New EasyC V2 Software Upgrade Version requires Mastercode update 3 No OCCRA EasyC V2 Competition Template for 2009 (make your own w/crystals) 4 New VEXNET Transmitters (OCCRA KOP) 5 New Full VEX Field (12 ft by 12 ft) 6New 2009 OCCRA VEX Inspection Form 7General Programming Tips 8Lesson from Vex Users

3. Upgrade EasyC V2 software this year V2.9.3.0 (OCCRA- 2009) – WinXP/Vista Important 2009 VEX Programming Information VEX_MASTER_V8d.BIN is new Master Code Software for 2009 2008 OCCRA Easy_C Site License XXXH-YYYT-ZZZS (1 per team) No EASY-C COMPETITION TEMPLATE for OCCRA in 2009 -

4. Website: www.innovationfirst.com

5. VEX 2008 Inventor’s Guide is Online Step 1: Go through the Inventor’s Guide Exercises VEX 2005 Inventor’s Guide Notebook provided to OCCRA teams in 2006 (3 ring notebook)

7. 3 No EasyC V2 Competition Template 2New EasyC V2.9.3.0 Software Upgrade Version

8. Update Master Code prior to using EasyC V 2.9.3.0 Master Code == VEX_MASTER_V8d.BIN (6/18/09) 2New EasyC V2.9.3.0 Software Upgrade Version requires updating the new master code (VEX_MASTER_V8d.BIN) prior to programming. You must download new Master Code into the VEX microcontroller “brains” within EasyC environment. The new Master Code can only be found inside of the V2.9.3.0 software upgrade.

9. Update Master Code prior to using EasyC V 2.9.3.0 Master Code == VEX_MASTER_V8d.BIN (6/18/09) 2New EasyC V2.9.3.0 Software Upgrade Version requires Firmware (VEX_MASTER_V8d.BIN) Upgrade – you must Download new Master Code within EasyC environment

10. 3 No EasyC V2 Competition Template New Competition Project opens Dialog Box to choose either Vexnet template or Crystal template type

11. 3 No EasyC V2 Competition Template Vexnet template shows time 0 in both Autonomous (0) and Operator Control(0) – the Vexnet competition Field controller will automatically set the time period at the OCCRA competition event

12. 3 No EasyC V2 Competition Template Crystal template is created by user – set Autonomous Time to 15 seconds, Operator Control Time to 75 seconds to match OCCRA 2009 game conditions

13. Add while(1) loop inside Autonomous Function

15. 4 VEXNET Transmitters (OCCRA KOP)

19. 4 Vexnet Field Controller

20. 5 Full VEX Field (12 ft by 12 ft) Note: Games pieces shown on Vex Field are not for 2009 OCCRA Bot Basketball

21. 6 2009 OCCRA VEX Inspection Form will be updated – look on Chief Delphi or OCCRA updates

22. 7 General Programming Tips 1)Save your program often, in a new file so that you have a string of files, especially at the end of class, session or after having completed a “milestone”. It is a good practice to save every 15 minutes during “heavy activity” times. 2)Use a file index system (Team1286_VEX_YY1) 3)Program one part at a time and debug one part at a time 4)Try to think like the VEX controller when programming and debugging (process of making your program operate the way your think it should – design intent) your program 6)Work with a partner if possible – “two head’s better than one” 7)After two hours maximum of programming – take a break 8)Don’t bother with high-school “overnighters”

23. 8 Lessons shared from existing VEX users 1) Motor module and Servo module look similar (both green) 2) Shaft collars are required on the outputs of shafts but are not shown in the 2005 instructions 3) Spacers are missing or use collars 3) INFO –Bolt thread are #8-32 and wrench size is 11-32 4) TIP- Need to purchase more allen wrenches (5 ?) 5) TIP-Charge up rechargeable battery pack, first thing, mark new VEX Battery with 2009 label 6) TIP- Try to obtain a laptop that will be regularly used with the VEX robot to speed up development process 7) TIP – A stop switch may be required in the safety inspection template