ball bearings....

[Dr Fritz]

could we use ball bearings on the mini bot? yes i have looked at <R92> over and over, but what do you guys think something like a ball bearing made out of material we can use.

[GaryVoshol]

Make'm out of polycarb or aluminum - go for it. But you have to make the bearings; those materials are "raw" materials allowed only.

[Dr Fritz]

why polycar or aluminum why not delrin?

[phoenix_fire]

why polycar or aluminum why not delrin?

Delrin isn't allowed by <R92>. As stated, your ball bearings have to be manufactured by materials allowed in <R92>.

[Dr Fritz]

thats what i thought thanks guys

[Dr Fritz]

so what about PVC does PVC come in plastic balls or pellets

[GaryVoshol]

so what about PVC does PVC come in plastic balls or pellets

Doesn't matter if it does or doesn't. <R92> only allows PVC pipe or fittings.

I misspoke above - you can use polycarbonate in any form, whether it's something you fabricate or something you buy.

Aluminum, you can only use things you make out of raw stock, or Tetrix parts.

[Chris is me]

Make'm out of polycarb or aluminum - go for it. But you have to make the bearings; those materials are "raw" materials allowed only.

Polycarbonate is by no means required to be in raw material form - that restriction only applies to aluminium.

[EricH]

so what about PVC does PVC come in plastic balls or pellets
Not legal either--the only PVC allowed is in pipe or fitting form.

[Dr Fritz]

that is what I thought ok, I was not sure if there was anything else I could do to them. what about using the PVC as a roller part its still in pipe form?

[GaryVoshol]

what about using the PVC as a roller part its still in pipe form?It doesn't have to be used in pipe form - you can cut it or do whatever with it. You can only buy PVC in the form of pipe or fittings though, to stay in compliance with <R92>.

[Dr Fritz]

um can I possibly get a direct answer with this?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Doc,
<R92> The following items are the only permitted materials for use on the MINIBOTS:
A. TETRIX components that are not in violation of any other rules, (Tetrix components are listed in Approved Tetrix Parts at www.usfirst.org/frc/competitionmanual),

F. Polycarbonate,
G. Polycarbonate glue,
Q. PVC or CPVC pipe and fittings,
R. PVC cement or cleaner

Yes you may use pipe as a roller. The Tetrix allowed parts list has one type of ball bearing that is legal for your use and one sleeve bearing.

[Dr Fritz]

i know that but can i modify my PVC pipe into something that's not a pipe

[Al Skierkiewicz]

<R92> The following items are the only permitted materials for use on the MINIBOTS:
If it started life as a PVC pipe and an inspector can tell that it's heritage is traceable to a PVC pipe then it may be used in a modified state.

[PAR_WIG1350]

I would think if you had an unfinished roller that was still attached to the pipe it was made out of to show the inspector, they would probably accept that (basically, it would have to be finished except for the step in which it is actually separated from the pipe). This might require some creative machining on your part.

[Dr Fritz]

yeah well thanks for the input

[WileyB-J]

I believe it would be easier to make a bushing with the given materials, and if im not mistaken the tetrix kit includes (and allows) its bronze bushing.

[Dr Fritz]

yeah but we have like 2 bushing left we need three or so...

[WileyB-J]

then purchase more? http://www.legoeducation.us/store/detail.aspx?CategoryID=187&by=9&ID=1617&c=1&t=0&l=0

[Dr Fritz]

not enough time :/

[Chris is me]

You don't have to ship your Minibot. You have at least 2 and a half weeks.

[IKE]

Just a warning, the ball-bearings were really small. I believe they are 3mm ID, 8MM OD, and 3mm width. I am sure we will see some teams using them, but they were shockingly small when they arrived from Lego.

[Dr Fritz]

i don't think we are going to buy any bearing we are now working on making rollers