In past years we would have to weigh in with each modular system separately. Last year for example. 59 had two modular system and we would have to weigh in each time. Yet, maybe its different this year.

What they mean:
 

What FIRST means here is this (in my opinion, of course):

For example:

You can have a drive base that weighs 100 lbs.

Then, you can have these appendages:
1. a lift mechanism that weighs 29 lbs.
2. an arm that weighs 19 lbs.
3. a thrower than weighs 10 lbs.
4. a fence device that weighs 29 lbs.

So, when you go to weigh in and get inspected, you would configure your robot in EACH of the different ways that you plan on setting it up for competition play. You not only have to weigh at or under 130 lbs. for each configuration, but you also have to fit within the box for each configuration. All of your components don't have to total under 130 lbs... just each configuration.

We have done this before (2001)... and like BBFIRSTCHICK says, other teams have done this. Probably the best example of a team doing this was Wildstang in 2001, when they had a ramp, a hitch, and a 2 goal pusher. If they put all of these components on their robot at once, it probably would've weighed 180 lbs... but they played at or below 130 lbs. for each match.

Andy B.

Your wrong bucko,

she is right, if you have lets say...3 modular systems, you present all of your modular peices, and weigh them all with the robot, but not all of them at the same time, you wiegh them with the robot individually. and the modular parts cannot exceed 130 with the robot.


bad

You're reading it the way you want to hear it, and not the way it says.

It doesn't say anything at all about all mechanisms being on the robot at time of inspection. They just have to be present. They mostly want this so they can inspect the modules for other things such as electrical and pneumatics stuff. I'm sure they'll probabaly make you put each module on so they can check weight and dimensions.


Modular robot is a good thing. Then you can change the purpose of your robot to fit the opposing alliance and your alliance.

I'm sure it would win you a few technical awards in doing so...




The real question is: Do all the modules have to cost less than $3500 combined or just the different combinations on the robot? I'd imagine they would have to be the entire combined cost because of the ability to make your robot do everything. It would be no different than having all the modules on at once.

goota loooove
 

gotta love heated message board posts :)
but i must say that you can have more than 130lb if interchangable.....that way you dont have any advantage on the playing field...correct ? so i dont know why it would be disallowed.......
its like saying you would haveto weigh the robot with both batteries on.....for example last year we were exactly at the weight limit...if they made us weigh with 2 batteries....which would be stupid....we would be over the limit...........
get my point ?



:D

Official answer:
Yeah, you were right :] Actually, I think this is great. If your robot truly is faster, better, cheaper (what we're going for this year), and you're done with two weeks left to practice, you might as well add a simple function to your robot in the time until ship date, even if your primary systems are already at weight, so you have the option of another strategy.

I hope we do a modular bot this year.

See, the whole idea behind modular bots is that you can be more flexible when you're looking for an alliance or one is decided for you.

Let's say you see a great bulldozer-like bot, and you have a bulldozer thing but there's is better...

this way instead of using that, you can swap over to something else, and in essence, get a much better alliance.

Just remember all tools have to be pretty good ;)