Team Update #2
 

Posted 11 January 2008: http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...nt.aspx?id=450


What to say about it?

Section 10.2.8.1
The 2008 Trackballs require some care in assembly and inflation. Each Trackball consists of two parts: a Bladder and a Cover. The bladder has a 120cm diameter and is made of 2500g PVC.

Re: Team Update #2
 

Is this as much of a bombshell to everyone else as it is to me? Section 6.3 says the balls are approximately 40", and ours came up a couple inches short even with the help of the compressor. 120cm is more than 47"... I'd think this would make a HUGE difference for a lot of designs, both in terms of the size of your gripper, and how much this thing is going to bounce if you stretch it out 20% more. I'm hoping to see this re-clarified soon.

Re: Team Update #2
 

I like that they clarified that disabled robots may be pushed out of the path of travel without penalty. This was a point of discussion on one of the threads here.

I dislike that they reused <G36>. The OLD <G36> was the height restriction on robots in the opponent's home stretch. Update 1 said <G36> has been removed. Update 2 says <G36> disabled robots may be pushed out of the way w/o penalty. I think that <G36> should have simply been gone, and the new rule should have gotten a new number, rather than reusing the number.

<G38> and <G40> regarding impeding a robot and "bumping to pass" are now only applicable during teleoperated mode. I think this is good, because I think no team would be attempting to implement a "bump to pass" during autonomous. It also opens up some potential defensive strategies which have been discussed elsewhere (i.e. blocking during the hybrid mode).

<G42> now applies the protection of a robot in the process of hurdling to both the robot and the trackball.

The inspection checklist has had "Robot Class" removed -- this was obviously just left in when copying from last year.

<T15> should make qualification matches go a little faster. During elimination matches, the higher seeded alliance can position their robots after the lower seeded alliance positions their robots; during qualification matches, alliances position their robots simultaneously.

Re: Team Update #2
 

The source provided by FIRST for additional trackballs, www.sportogo.com, does not sell 120cm balls, only 102cm (40") balls. I think we just have a typo here.

Also, on that note, I don't see any balls with plain blue or red covers. They're all some sort of hyper-large sports ball and they're all really expensive.

Re: Team Update #2
 

The shells are a special order for FIRST. The bladder can be purchased on its own through Sportogo for $20.50. If you want a second ball completely with shell and bladder, it will be a quite bit more.

Re: Team Update #2
 

Is there a typo in the weight in Team Update #2, too? The update says that the bladder is supposed to be 2500g, whereas the one in your link is only 2200g.

Re: Team Update #2
 

I noticed that after i posted the link. I am going to try to verify that the bladder was not different than this one and repost when i can verify correctly.

Re: Team Update #2
 

Why can't FIRST provide a manufacturer and Part #? This would ensure that everyone gets the proper ball. I did notice last weekend that there was a 40" ball and a 120cm ball mentioned, perhaps you buy the 120cm and only fill it to 40" (i.e., just enough to fill the cover)?

Re: Team Update #2
 

FIRST already ensured that every team received the proper ball, by including one in the kit. :)

Re: Team Update #2
 

I personally like the new <G36> because it doesn't incur a penalty on a robot that has been disabled and cannot move. A penalty would just add insult to injury.

Re: Team Update #2
 

There is absolutely no way that the balls are 47". The cover that came with them would burst at the seams.:ahh: :ahh:

Re: Team Update #2
 

But, doesn't that mean that if a team panics and forgets to push the E-Stop Button they get penalized :confused: :confused:

Re: Team Update #2
 

If it is obvious that there is a problem to the refs, and your team is freaking out, the refs will most likely remind you about the E-stop if at all possible. It may come as a surprise, but refs really don't want to give penalties if they are preventable.;)

Re: Team Update #2
 

Robots can be disabled from the field also. I am sure if it is a safety hazard someone behind the table will pull the plug.

Re: Team Update #2
 

[/notsarcasm]Yeah refs are usually very good at reminding you of these things to prevent penalties.[not sarcasm]
I don't see them having to remind too many teams though. If you tip over and can't go back, the drivers should then know what to do.