Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

Good thing we will be able to fix a non-issue on a bumper on Thursday morning. I wouldn't want to help make sure every other robot at the event can be inspection-ready as fast as possible. I guess people would be confused and assume our number was 422422 if we had our number on both sides, so this rule makes complete sense.

I honestly don't understand why I can't have the numbers on both sides of the front. That isn't going to confuse people any more than splitting the numbers. If bumpers are here to stay, I wish the rules on how they look wouldn't be so ridiculous.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

I find the worst part of this years rules besides being vague is no more or less than four locations for your numbers. By placing your numbers on both sides of the gap you just double the ease to see your team number. I understand the no less than 4 places but more than 4 doesn't make sense.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

It's really unfortunate because our team busts their butts to build and put together high-quality competition bumpers that ideally satisfy all rules. We think that going above and beyond on a forgotten robot component is indicative of the effort we put into every aspect of the season. Now we're being told we can't have any more than 4 number placements (1 on each side), when this wasn't a problem in 2009.

Who is hurt by having the number duplicated? How hard would it have been to include the phrase "no fewer, no more" in the rulebook?

I imagine that last sentence can be repeated for a lot of vague rules in and outside of bumper requirements. We get a rulebook in 2011 that's thicker than an AP Physics textbook:too wordy and complex. This year we get a rulebook that is thin enough to be interpreted any which way a team could desire, although we can't read the minds up in Manchester as to the full extent of the rule.

I guess I should have Q&A'd this earlier, but this seems like such a non-issue to me.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

PayneTrain and BrendanB -

The ruling behind the exactly 4 locations AND not splitting the number makes sense when you think about practical applications at a regional. Lets say teams 20 and 2020 are both at the same regional. If numbers could be split, 2020 splitting their numbers on both sides of a gap might look like team 20 at a glance. Likewise, if numbers could appear multiple times on the same side, 20 might look like team 2020 if they had their number on both sides of the gap.

Now, some people will argue that the full number is on the side of the robot... well, this year that doesn't have to be the case - you could have gaps on all 4 sides of the robot, and duplicate this issue on all 8 bumper segments.

The GDC is trying to go with the easiest solution to making the team numbers visible, readable, and understandable to everyone in the stadium. that includes ref's and scouters, as well as those not as familiar with FIRST, like friends, family, sponsors, or other visiting organizations (we've seen girl scout troops check it out more than a few times).

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

I'd be leery of gaffer's tape, unless it has a true "fabric" surface. The rules state "fabric" and I'd expect that to be enforced.

Can you paint over the errant digits? Matching the color would easy enough - go to any paint store, they have these nifty color matching machines. A quart of acrylic latex paint would go far.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

It didn't hurt our team any (because we didn't put the numbers on our bumper covers until the Q&A was answered), but I was surprised that the answer was "no fewer, no more". Having already declared that splitting the number was illegal (good call, IMO), there would be no confusion caused by putting the full team number on both sides of a gap; if anything, that would make it even easier for everyone to read.

But, it's done, and we all deal with it. Rather like the customer who says, "that spec isn't what I meant; I want it this way." Real world!

Good luck, everyone.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

Someone else should ask via Q&A what the legal ways to cover up extra numbers might be. (I don't have access).

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

Personally, I have to say that getting 4 numbers (that arn't 1's) is very hard. I honestly had to make the numbers cut into each other in order to make the font fit nicely.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

I would also like to warn teams that you must place the number at 90 degree intervals. In my eyes, this means that if you have a hole for intake, you must offset the number to one side on your other 3 bumper sides.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

Not the case.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

I think that rule is for any team inexplicably attempting a holonomic system this year.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

I don't see in the rule were you have to have all for numbers on one of the 8" bumpers. The question was about having two team numbers on the front (which is illegal).

If I put 15 on the right front bumper and 28 on the left front bumper, then on have created 1528 (our team number) on the front location of our robot. I do not see anywhere in the rules that say's this is a violation. Just to make sure, I posted this on the Q&A and should have an answer soon.

Teams that are thinking that they have to redo their bumpers because of this scenerio, please wait for the GDC to answer my question.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

This has already been answered:

Anything but a "there are no rules prohibiting this" is a no from the GDC.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

Bolding Mine. You can't split your numbers.

Re: Teams: Check Your Bumpers
 

I guess this means any team that has an object that at anytime blocks or covers their team number is also in violation. (It is not "clearly visable") (I know this is another question waiting for a reply)

Man I would hate to have an object that covers up my entire side of the robot. Sounds like a lot of teams are also going to be redoing their robots.