Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

yeh, that would be an awfully big robot, and would have to stay there the whole time... so thats not a good idea, because even if you could prevent the other alliance from getting their 9 ringers, if thats all you did, than it wouldent get you THAT far... however, it is still something that if someone can get to work, go for it.:D

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

yes it is counted as attached. HOWEVER... i would not want to do that. I believe that it was back in 2002 many teams were making little "minibots" that were tethered to the "main robot" and would drive off into the home row just before the match ended. we happened to be one of the teams that did that. one team decided that they would purposely entangle themselves on our tether(no its true i'm not making stuff up), somehow it was considered our fault, and thus we didn't make it to the finals. So i leave you with my though on long tethers: bad idea.

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

really? thats good to know that its allowed, however, I did notice that that might happen, robots getting tangled up that is.... If someone did it, it would have to be pretty well done to avoid contact.:ahh: Thanks for your help by the way:D

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

Anyone want to buy a motorized retractable ramp assembly, circa 2003? It was designed to have other robots drive on top, low mileage, etc. Heh, heh, heh. We call that robot "wedgie", our second year attempt.

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

Dick, We can't buy it, but we would love to see your drawings, photos & weight roll-up. :)

Paul Pawelski
first_team_2038@comcast.net
Igneum Ferrum

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

Our team considered doing this and just sitting there.

No, having a long tether is not allowed - This violates several rules, notably the 72x72 rule and the rule about not having a part on your robot which provides serious risk of entanglement (cable running along the floor.)

In 2002, this might have been allowed, it wasn't until 2006 that there was a size limit.

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

That year, we were using that 80/20 type frame material. We just slipped in some 1/4" Lexan in the grooves, put a plastic linear gear rack on the underside and fitted the window motors into the frame with the appropriate gear to match the rack. Due to weight and programming concerns (limit switches), we didn't use it in the competition. It was similar to those Jerr-Dan wrecker trailers with the ramp that extends down to the ground.

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

Another thing to think about is that if you are blocking your opponents tubes on the ground you are also blocking your human player.

Just a thought.

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

How are you blocking your human player; he can just throw the tubes over the robot.

Re: possible ramp/lift configurations
 

Its just an observation. Some robots will be designed to only pickup directly from the human player. Just a few things to think about.