MiniBot - Can I use a spring?

[BumbleB3339]

Hi, we of team 3339 in Israel were wondering if we could use a spring for the MiniBot for it to be pushed down tight and with a push of a button it jumps up.

Thanks for your help.

[Sean Raia]

The spring must be attached to the main robot as i don't believe they are allowed on minibots. But its still a reasonable idea.

[Nishant]

I am also investigating the spring idea. Be sure to do calculations of the energy release time before you invest time and money in the spring. You can check out a nice calculator here: http://www.primelineindustries.com/tools.html

[The Lucas]

Springs are not one of the 27 permitted materials listed in <R92> so you cant use them. Rubber bands and surgical tubing are on the permitted list so they can be use them instead of springs. I would suggest monitoring the Q&A and team updates for clarifications on how these materials can be used by a Hostbot and a Minibot since there are many open questions right now.

[cbeavers6790]

Springs are not one of the 27 permitted materials listed in <R92> so you cant use them. Rubber bands and surgical tubing are on the permitted list so they can be use them instead of springs. I would suggest monitoring the Q&A and team updates for clarifications on how these materials can be used by a Hostbot and a Minibot since there are many open questions right now.

i would agree with him.....unless its listed on the things you can use i wouldnt try and use a spring. if its not listed dont try it

[Sean Raia]

If its on the deployment device on your main robot there is nothing saying its illegal.
To me it seems very clear.

[Barry Bonzack]

there is nothing saying its illegal.

Yet.

I agree with above posts to watch the Q&A forum and game manual updates for clarifications on what the hostbot is allowed to do.

[Alan Anderson]

Team Update #1 clarifies <G19> to make spring-launching a MINIBOT illegal. The HOSTBOT can't give any upward motion to the MINIBOT. The MINIBOT must climb using only a motor powered by its battery, with no other stored energy permitted.

Oh, well.

[ncordova1993]

yes thats true.

Team 151 in NH has done some prototyping of the "projectile minibot" and it's very inconstant. This is because the initial force that a spring or piston would provide would have to have little tolerance for the minibot to hit the plate between 2-4 Newtons. Meaning, X amount of force will hopefully be provided by the spring....every single time. Also if that plate shatters, your team is going to get some harsh criticism for making a very unsafe robot.

Be sure to check out an official FIRST Week 0 competition on Feb. the 19th in Nashua, NH. There will a 2011 official field, scoring system (that was made by FIRST), the Game design committee and special guests! Contact paradisem1@gmail.com for more info

[synth3tk]

yes thats true.

Team 151 in NH has done some prototyping of the "projectile minibot" and it's very inconstant. This is because the initial force that a spring or piston would provide would have to have little tolerance for the minibot to hit the plate between 2-4 Newtons. Meaning, X amount of force will hopefully be provided by the spring....every single time. Also if that plate shatters, your team is going to get some harsh criticism for making a very unsafe robot.

Be sure to check out an official FIRST Week 0 competition on Feb. the 19th in Nashua, NH. There will a 2011 official field, scoring system (that was made by FIRST), the Game design committee and special guests! Contact paradisem1@gmail.com for more info
Sounds interesting. Can you see if someone (whether FIRST or a team) can provide a web stream of this event? I'm sure many other teams would benefit from being able to watch the game in action.

[Frenchie461]

<R92> I don't see where a spring would be allowed, maybe in section S. Mechanical Hardware. and <G19> no stored energy for vertical motion..::rtm::

[Maj333]

If we can't use a spring , can we use elastic ?

[synth3tk]

If we can't use a spring , can we use elastic ?
No. (http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FRC/Game_and_Season__Info/2011_Assets/Team_Updates/Team%20Update_01.pdf)

[Maj333]

:) ok