Log in

View Full Version : finish line flat?

nekng
08-01-2008, 21:52
Does anyone know if the finish line is flat? I am a bit confused, the rules say

"A red or blue “FINISH LINE” is marked on each side on the carpet under the OVERPASS. The
FINISH LINE is indicated by a six-inch wide tripe of black-and-white checkered tape, followed by a
two-inch wide stripe of colored gaffers tape. The pipes of the OVERPASS structure coplanar with
the vertical projection of the gaffers tape are colored to provide further indication of the plane of the
FINISH LINE. For the red FINISH LINE, the gaffers tape and pipes are red, and for the blue
FINISH LINE the gaffers tape and pipes are blue."

Does that mean the the line is flat or does it mean that there is a pipe that runs along the floor?
kevin.li.rit
08-01-2008, 21:52
I believe it is tape.
EricH
08-01-2008, 21:56
The OVERPASS is 6.5 feet above the carpet. There are no pipes for it on the floor. It is marked so the plane of the finish line is clear.
robogeek753
08-01-2008, 22:29
As others have said, yes, the finish line is flat. The pipe is mentioned only to note that it is colored (even though its on the overpass) and over the finsih line.
tkgamer
08-01-2008, 22:35
Great our team was wondering the same thing. Thanks for the info!
Mrtrom
08-01-2008, 22:41
the designs state that the finish line is 2 1/2 inches above the carpet
kevin.li.rit
08-01-2008, 22:52
the designs state that the finish line is 2 1/2 inches above the carpet

I don't think so. I don't see where it says that either.
EricH
08-01-2008, 22:53
the designs state that the finish line is 2 1/2 inches above the carpet
Umm... I don't think so. If they do, then either Section 6 or the designs are wrong. Gaffers tape is not 2.5" thick.

I can't find that anywhere in the drawings.
robogeek753
08-01-2008, 22:57
neither can I......
Cory
08-01-2008, 22:58
There's a difference between a 2.5" WIDE piece of gaffer's tape, and a 2/5" TALL piece of tape ;)
Daniel Bathgate
08-01-2008, 23:28
The finish lines should be flat, but not the lane dividers:

The LANE DIVIDER is attached to vertical posts that are anchored to supporting plates covered by carpet. Note that these plates will create a bump in the carpet approximately 1/2 inch tall, and as a result the surface of the TRACK will not be perfectly flat. ROBOTS must be designed to accommodate these surface variations.
nekng
09-01-2008, 00:20
The finish lines should be flat, but not the lane dividers:
thanks that helps a lot.
Steve Kaneb
09-01-2008, 01:04
The finish lines should be flat, but not the lane dividers:
Originally Posted by 6.2.3 The LANE DIVIDER
The LANE DIVIDER is attached to vertical posts that are anchored to supporting plates covered by carpet. Note that these plates will create a bump in the carpet approximately 1/2 inch tall, and as a result the surface of the TRACK will not be perfectly flat. ROBOTS must be designed to accommodate these surface variations.

What is being described in that rule is the wall between the lanes, not the tape lines perpendicular to the driver station.
I'd treat the lines themselves pretty much as a normal surface, but if you need precision, it wouldn't be a bad idea to run your robot over the lines several times to determine if it makes any difference.
Wayne Doenges
09-01-2008, 07:16
The only 2.5" rule I can find is the height of the lower part of the bumper.
Bethany Mc.
09-01-2008, 07:28
One of MOE's mentors, and one student was invited to the kickoff in New Hampshire. We asked them this same question and they looked at the official field, and it was tape.
Al Skierkiewicz
09-01-2008, 07:30
The lane marks are painted on the carpet surface then the gaffer's tape is added to distinguish the red or blue finish line. However, the five plates that support the center wall do have some thickness and are covered in carpet.
cardinalman86
09-01-2008, 07:38
The lane marks are painted on the carpet surface then the gaffer's tape is added to distinguish the red or blue finish line. However, the five plates that support the center wall do have some thickness and are covered in carpet.

so does that mean that the inside of the track is raised, or do they accomadate for that in the other parts?
Al Skierkiewicz
09-01-2008, 07:40
Not sure what you are asking. Each of the five panels that hold up the center wall are placed on the playing field carpet and then carpet is place over them and gaffer's tape is used to secure the top layer of carpet to the playing field carpet. The dimensions and materials are listed in the field drawings.
cardinalman86
09-01-2008, 07:48
I was just wondering if there was going to be a rise in the field or not. i was playing around in the manual and figured it out, thanks.
gary325
21-01-2008, 22:39
Does anyone have a source for the finish line tape? I can only find 3 inch wide tape with three rows of checks. The 2-inch wide tape has two rows of checkers. Finding a 3-inch wide tape with 2 rows of checkers seems impossible.
EricH
22-01-2008, 01:38
Does anyone have a source for the finish line tape? I can only find 3 inch wide tape with three rows of checks. The 2-inch wide tape has two rows of checkers. Finding a 3-inch wide tape with 2 rows of checkers seems impossible.Read Section 6. (I think that's where this is, if not, it's in one of the drawings.) They lay down one color, then the other goes on top.
gary325
22-01-2008, 23:08
From Section: 6.2.1: Boundaries and Markings
A red or blue “FINISH LINE” is marked on each side on the carpet under the OVERPASS. The FINISH LINE is indicated by a six-inch wide tripe of black-and-white checkered tape, followed by a two-inch wide stripe of colored gaffers tape. The pipes of the OVERPASS structure coplanar with the vertical projection of the gaffers tape are colored to provide further indication of the plane of the FINISH LINE. For the red FINISH LINE, the gaffers tape and pipes are red, and for the blue FINISH LINE the gaffers tape and pipes are blue.

Arena Layout and Markings (http://www2.usfirst.org/2008comp/Drawings/2008%20Field/2008%20Arena_Layout_and_Marking.pdf) Has this text for the lines as 3" TAPE BLK/WHT W/3" STRIPE EVERY 3", TWO STRIPS

This is the tape I am trying to source.:confused:
EricH
22-01-2008, 23:41
From Section: 6.2.1: Boundaries and Markings


Arena Layout and Markings (http://www2.usfirst.org/2008comp/Drawings/2008%20Field/2008%20Arena_Layout_and_Marking.pdf) Has this text for the lines as 3" TAPE BLK/WHT W/3" STRIPE EVERY 3", TWO STRIPS

This is the tape I am trying to source.:confused:
I looked through all the documentation, and couldn't find what I thought it said. Now, looking at the tape description, I see two possibilities:
1) FIRST is using custom tape.
2) FIRST is using their standard tape set (black, red, blue, and maybe white) in a creative way.

Option 2, which may be more likely, would entail the following:
a) Mark the color.
b) Lay the black.
c) Lay 3" long strips of white on top of the black, leaving 3" of black between each piece, on one black piece.
d) Repeat for the other black piece, laying the white in a checker pattern.

As I said, I couldn't find any support for either option. I would ask Q&A if I were you. Specifically: Is there a special tape for the checkered part of the finish line and where to get it? If not, how is the tape laid?