Define A Wedge
 

Now all this talk about ramps has me wondering. What is FIRST's idea of a wedge??? Now I went and searched the definition and it gave me a few:

-any shape that is triangular in cross section.

-something solid that is usable as an inclined plane (shaped like a V) that can be pushed between two things to separate them.

This two can be completely different in a robot sense. Now which do you think FIRST means by a "Wedge". And If you have a better definition I'd be glad if you posted it.

Thanks,
1565

Re: Define A Wedge
 

I'll tell you exactly what FIRST means by a wedge:

I intend to move a ruler around our entire robot this year to see if anything below the 8.5" mark could be interpreted as such.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

the wedge rule is no longer counted when you are in the home zone and trying to lift up another robot. therefor when you deploy your ramp at the end of the match you are not breaking any rules.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

yeah I know that. But my design is not nessacary a ramp. So by reading this rule would on think that a platform that is between these measurements (0 - 8.5 inches) with a flat edge on it, be considered legal?

Re: Define A Wedge
 

They've made an excellent change to the wedge rule, from the way it appeared last year. And I'm not talking about the home zone exemption. It used to restrict parts "that might push against another robot"; now it covers parts "that are used to push against or interact with an opposing ROBOT".

Under the old rule, pretty much every robot was theoretically illegal, in some insignificant way. Now, you've got to actually wedge something to cause a violation.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

Here my interpretation. Anything in the 0” to 8.5” range the may lift an opposing robot (offensive or defensive) off of its wheels is a wedge.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

I would ammend that slightly. I would say that anything in the 0" to 8.5" range must be within 0-10° of vertical.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

I agree with Matt.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

If your design could easily lift any part of a bot off the ground, it can't be used on the field (excluding alliance zones). It was actually last year that they added this rule. There was this huge argument thread here bout it too. I said that it counted as robot entanglement, which was an existing rule. Soooo, looks like my argument won as they expressly forbid wedge use.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

Ahh I see ok that helps thanks. My design cant lift robots until I want it to but it is fiarly thin. so it should be allowed.. if not there is an easy fix lol

Re: Define A Wedge
 

What if i have a wedge but i cover about 5 inches with lets say polycarb would it be considered legal u think?

Re: Define A Wedge
 

I am trying to figure out if this counts for inverse wedges also, like an angled section to make it easier to climb robots. see drawing below...

Re: Define A Wedge
 

The way it is currently written, I am afraid the answer is yes, that would be illegal based on the wedge rule. This is an unfortunate oversight that did not seem to get corrected from last years rule.

Matt B.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

The quick answer is YES this is a wedge. It looks to be greater than +/- 10 degrees of vertical.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

Almost every year we put wheelie bars on our robot and we have to modify them to make sure they dont get us penalized. A blatant wedge that is on your robot, or something that isnt designed to prevent robots would be considered a wedge imo.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

Inverse wedges will help climb. Should not be allowed according to the rules though. But last year, I know a couple team who followed the 12 feet per second rule and some that did not. It wasn't fair but people still did it. Same thing will happen this year with these type of machines. People will make them and inspectors will not see a problem.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

Ok a wedge... Anything that Team 302 does not create is not a wedge. In previous years at least. The wedge rule was made because of team 302. We kept getting penalties because other robots would drive up our wedge and tip over. they kept calling it a wedge and Lift but we never did the and lift so just make sure the wedge is 10 degrees or less

Re: Define A Wedge
 

Technically, it is a wedge. Think about this: you could drive on top of an enemy robot (un/intentionally) and smash their control board.

Re: Define A Wedge
 

If you were seeing a problem, then report it and don't complain about it later. At our event, they speed tested EVERY lancher at full speed.