Rookie Question regarding Bumpers
 

We have a very important question about bumpers. See the attached pic if you are having trouble imagining what I am about to describe.

We have our bumpers ready to go on the sides and back. However, we have a problem with our front bumpers. We read the FRC 2012 rules as requiring 8 inches of bumper total on each side of the robot. Thus, we thought we could simply put four inches of bumper (8/2 = 4) in the front of each of the wheels two wheels sticking out the front of the robot. However, as we are rereading the rules, we think that the rules may require 8 inches of bumper on each corner of the front face, leaving only a 10" opening for balls to enter the robot.

Since we are a rookie team, we don't have any experience with bumper rules (or any of the rules for that matter). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Rookie Question regarding Bumpers
 

Although this question has been asked (and answered) dozens of times on this forum - please use the search feature next time - I'll answer it yet again:

You need 8" of bumper from each corner, meaning 16" on each side, and on the 'short' side that leaves about 10" for an un-bumpered section.

Also be sure the read and understand the rules regarding putting your team number on the bumpers.

Re: Rookie Question regarding Bumpers
 

YOu also need to think about the wheels, since they can't stick out the front past the frame (the frame perimeter is defined by the outermost part of the robot).....

Re: Rookie Question regarding Bumpers
 

While we're here, I may as well add a couple of other things...

1) The size box is unforgiving--your entire robot must fit in it, bolt heads and wheels included. It may be worth your while to verify that you will fit in (moderately unclear from the picture.)

2) You may want to add a traction surface to that PVC roller to assist in pulling balls into the robot. I'd suggest shelf liner material, myself--it's cheap and easy to apply and replace (given some spray adhesive).

3) I'd verify that you can see all the lights on the control system--the inspectors will want to. It also makes debugging so much easier when you can see that "OH! That Jaguar's light isn't on at all!"