How to Bag and Tag

For the 2013 Season, all USA and Canadian FRC events (including District Events) are “Bag and Tag” EXCEPT the Championship.  

Each team received a “Bag and Tag” kit in January with their Kit of Parts. The kit contained:

• two (2) plastic bags large enough to contain your robot.
• at least six (6) numbered tags: zip ties with individual serial numbers.

Instructions on how to Bag and Tag:

1. Bag and Tag your robot on Stop Build Day, and complete the Robot Lock-Up Form you received in your kit of parts
2. The proper bagging procedure is as follows:
1. Set your bag you received from your kit of parts on the floor, leaving room for the robot in the center.
2. Place your robot in the center of the bag.
1. Make sure you leave plenty of room surrounding the robot.
3. Pull the bag up around the robot (Be careful not to catch the bag on any corners or sharp edges, use every precaution not to tear the bag).
4. At the top of the bag, firmly grasp right below the opening of the bag, closing the opening.
5. Tightly seal the bag by wrapping one of your numbered tag (zip ties) around the top of the bag, sealing the opening.
1. Make sure there are no holes in the bag, if your bag does get a tear in it be sure to tape it up, write it on your lock-up form then explain to the inspector what happened, it will be up to them if you can compete or not.
2. Complete the Robot Lock-Up Form by verifying the date and time that the bag was sealed.
3. Your team may bag their bumpers separately from their robot. However, the separately-bagged bumpers must be sealed with their own tag, and that tag number must be entered on the Robot Lock-Up Form on Stop Build Day.
4. Transport your robot to your event venue in your own vehicle. If you plan to transport your robot in a personal vehicle, please ensure that you have adequate means to secure your robot.
5. Your team must bring your own bagged, sealed and tagged robot into the venue through the designated robot entrance. Bring a rolling cart or dolly to facilitate the load in.
6. You may NOT open your bag until:
1. it has been checked, approved by an onsite inspector,
2. as well if the pits have officially been opened for robot work. You must have your Robot Lock-Up Form ready for review at the event. DO NOT forget to bring it.
7. After your Robot Lock-Up Form has been properly checked and approved, your team may open the bag and prepare to compete.
8. After the event, if you are attending another event, such as the Championship or another regional or district event, re-seal your robot following the same steps your team has learned above except with a new number tag (zip tie).
1. Once bagged, enter the new tag number on the Robot Lock-Up Form.
9. You may not access your robot again until the next event.
10. If you attend the FIRST Championship, you will receive an additional FedEx voucher (bill of lading) in your registration packet that will allow you to ship your robot home.
11. If you are attending the Championship as your next event, your robot must be shipped by the Thursday after the final qualifying event. ALL teams attending the Championship must build a crate to ship their robot in. FedEx will not pick up a robot that is not in a crate.
1. need help on building a crate check out this helpful video from Team 246: ”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39REvO7zR-g”.
12. Keep your filled crate weight below 400 pounds. Any teams exceeding 400 pounds will be charged overage fees accordingly. If you are flying to Championships be sure to box your batteries in your crate since you cannot take them on the airplane with you.
13. Remember to bring your Robot Lock-Up Form to your event. A missing Robot Lock-Up Form is one of the top reasons teams are delayed in their competitions.
14. The Robot Lock-Up Form MUST be used:

• on “Stop Build Day”;
• before you leave an event, if you expect you will/may be attending a later event.