# 257: Small Parts Flew Everywhere

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-08-24
- Length: 57m
- Episode: 257
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/257-small-parts-flew-everywhere

## Summary

Derek Fronek, robotics design lead for the TechHOUNDS FRC team at Carmel High School in Indiana, discusses the intense 6-week build season and competition experience that led to a 5th place finish at the world championships. He details the specific hardware stack, including the roboRIO controller, TalonSRX and Spark motor controllers, and the challenges of designing custom PCBs and mechanical systems under strict budget and time constraints. The conversation covers the team's organizational structure, outreach efforts, and Derek's personal projects like an autonomous vehicle build and a weather simulator.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [2:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere#t=175) FRC Competition Structure and the 2018 Game
- [8:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere#t=501) The 6-Week Build Season and Budget Constraints
- [18:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere#t=1107) Robot Design, Electronics Stack, and Custom PCBs
- [25:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere#t=1507) Team Organization, Outreach, and Mentoring
- [37:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere#t=2236) Competition Season, Failures, and World Championships
- [51:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere#t=3096) Personal Projects: Autonomous Vehicle and Weather Simulator

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- TechHOUNDS (other)
- FIRST (other)
- roboRIO (chip)
- TalonSRX (product)
- Spark motor controller (product)
- Cross the Road Electronics (company)
- Rev Robotics (company)
- SparkFun (company)
- Purdue (other)
- Carmel High School (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Students Tackle PCB Design Challenge: From Schematic to Robot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-09-16-students-tackle-pcb-design-challenge-from-schematic-to-robot) (OnTrack)
- [Bob Widlar, Electronic Design, FIRST Robotics - Monday, Meta Monday](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-03-08-bob-widlar-electronic-design-first-robotics-monday-meta-monday) (The Amp Hour)
- [Chaffered Chocolate Coemption](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-04-09-chaffered-chocolate-coemption) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Timothy Lamb](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-25-an-interview-with-timothy-lamb) (The Amp Hour)
- [T-26-012 : Founders From The Show Floor - CES 2026](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2026-02-04-t-26-012-founders-from-the-show-floor-ces-2026) (TRADEOFFS)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-08-24-257-small-parts-flew-everywhere. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.