<R34> and Metal on Carpet

[Ben Piecuch]

Now that we're seeing a LOT of teams posting their ramp designs, I'm a bit concerned about <R34> and how it applies to anything that touches the carpet. For those of you not familiar with the rule, it states that any device which is intended to provide traction for the robot, may not damage the carpet or other playing surfaces. Specifically, it prohibits the use of metal, sandpaper, and velcro.

A ramp does not necessarily have to provide traction for the robot. More than likely, the robots are not going to move once their ramps have been deployed. However, with all the flopping, falling, and crashing down of ramps and gates, I can forsee a LOT of field damage coming from these devices.

Is anyone else concerned about this? Anything from our robot that will come in contact with the field will be covered with plastic, most likely a delrin pad or similar. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing this precaution on many of the other robots posted here.

BEN

[MrForbes]

We have considered riveting a piece of wheel/conveyor "tread" to the underside of the ramp contact point.

[purduephotog]

Now that we're seeing a LOT of teams posting their ramp designs, I'm a bit concerned about <R34> and how it applies to anything that touches the carpet. For those of you not familiar with the rule, it states that any device which is intended to provide traction for the robot, may not damage the carpet or other playing surfaces. Specifically, it prohibits the use of metal, sandpaper, and velcro.
BEN

We read this rule a few times ... and I'm impressed with your concern since we didn't even consider it.

Our team believes it was written to specifically prohibit 'cleat' type brake systems (such as a carpet stretcher) from being deployed right into the surface of the field. Of course, since they specifically list materials that CAN'T be used, one could read that zirconium ceramic or other composites *could* be used, but I digress.

I'd get a ruling on this one. Baring that, hope your robot has plastic tipped metal deployment ramps.

[Peter Matteson]

I'm with you on that interpretation Ben. It seems to me that ever since they implimented that rule in 2003 it has been strictly enforced to prevent intentional metal contact with the carpet. For that reason if we have something on our robot that may touch the carpet intentionally it will have a piece of plastic on the bottom to skirt the issue.
Pete

[Brandon Holley]

This rule has been around for good reason. I remember how messed up the carpets were getting during zone zeal. It keeps the carpet in a "playable" condition. Ramps definitely could start causing some field damage...Its not hard to put a piece of plastic on the end of a ramp....I agree with you ben