Springs?!
 

Can we have springs on our robot?

Two ways:
1) Spring to keep a cable tensioned. (seems like this would be acceptable)

2) Piece that springs out after being deployed. (Does this violate the stored energy rule?)

I looked though the rules and couldn't find the answer for my team. Any help would be awesome!

Thanks,
~Stash~

Re: Springs?!
 

I believe this falls under stored energy from deformed parts in rule <R02>. It should be legal unless it is deemed dangerous.

Re: Springs?!
 

it is legal unless deemed a hazard. we checked it before

Re: Springs?!
 

Thanks! I skipped <R02> when I was going through the manual. Wasn't thinking of it as energy :-(

~Stash~

Re: Springs?!
 

How do they determine if a spring is safe or not... Our team wants to deploy our ramp using spring loaded hinges and dampers to slow down the speed. I think as long as there was no way it could come undone during play outside the homezone this would be alright...Am i correct

Re: Springs?!
 

Stored energy devices will be checked when inspected. Things that inspectors will look for are items not designed as springs but used to store energy (i.e. deformed materials, surgical tubing, etc.) and those items designed for this purpose but implemented in a way that makes their use unsafe or beyond the design criteria of the part. There is nothing worse then to be standing on the sidelines and get hit by a spring that broke when it was tensioned beyond it's breaking point. (wow that hurts!)

Re: Springs?!
 

I'd be careful with using springs as a ramp deployment system. If it shoots out too fast then it could be deemed as a hazard to other robots.