Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

It's a good lesson to learn how to source and research materials.

In two years I have never seen any problems with maintenance or extra time removing our bumpers. The bumpers we have used were easily removed and installed in seconds because we designed them that way.

Figuring out how to make them work and last is a valuable learning experience.

I understand the ugly factor and I can understand people being upset when they are forced to use them but this is the hand we are given lets make the best of it.

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

Exactly! This year, if speed is the name of the game, robots will want to weigh as little as possible and bumpers just add weight. I'm planning on drilling lots of holes into the plywood of the bumpers.

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

Before you do that, you might want to take a look at this Q&A answer. I would hate to see you spend Thursday at the competition rebuilding your bumpers because they were rejected during inspection.


-dave



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Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

I like the bumper rule.

We had bumpers on last year - unfortunately many robots did not. Those without bumpers had some incredibly sharp corners that they were slamming around - I saw aluminum shielding punctured by the corners of some of the robots.

We spent a decent amount of time sewing bumpers back together because those same robots literally "shredded" the material - and that isn't easy material to shred.

With all robots having bumpers on the same level, racing should be reasonable good this year.

I just hope they penalize "wheelie" bots for popping wheelies which move the bumpers out of position. One of those wheelie bots spent a great deal of time "landing" on top of our bot last year and really did a number on it.

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

I thought bumpers were suppose to be soft, squishy things so a robot doesn't hit another robot with as much force.

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

Where's the "in the middle" option here? You're forcing me to say yes or no, and I'm stuck on the fence here.

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

I think bumpers are redundant. Well yes robots do hit each other with force but I don't see the reason why bumpers should be mandatory. Let teams decide :)

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

I have mixed feelings about it. Last year was our first year using the bumpers, but they helped a ton and we love them now. However, I think teams should have freedom of choice. If they want to take a chance without them, they should be allowed.

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

I think the bumpers will prevent bots from running over a slower bots wheels and drive train.

Bad things happen fast when you get wheel on top of wheel contact between 2 racers on a track.

Where do you see that they count in the size?
 

Here are some quotes from the robot manual
STANDARD BUMPERS – Bumper assemblies designed to attach to the exterior of the ROBOT within
the BUMPER ZONE, and constructed as specified in Rule <R08>. STANDARD BUMPERS may weigh
up to 15 pounds, and are excluded from the weight and volume calculations specified in Rule <R11>.

<R08> Teams are required to use STANDARD BUMPERS on their ROBOTS. Bumpers can
reduce damage to ROBOTS when they contact another ROBOT or field elements.
STANDARD BUMPERS have several advantages, such as being excluded from the
calculation of the ROBOT weight and volume limitations specified in Rule <R11>.
STANDARD BUMPERS must be constructed as described below.

<R13> For the purposes of determining compliance with the weight and volume limitations
specified in Rule <R11>, these items are NOT considered part of the ROBOT and are NOT
included in the weight and volume assessment of the ROBOT:
 The 12V battery and its associated half of the Anderson cable quick
connect/disconnect pair (including no more than 12 inches of cable per leg, the
associated cable lugs, connecting bolts, and insulating electrical tape) on board the
ROBOT,
 Any STANDARD BUMPER assemblies included on the ROBOT that are in
compliance with Rule <R08>, up to a maximum of 15 pounds,

Not sure what you are looking at.
Bruce

Re: Where do you see that they count in the size?
 

The bumpers don't count for starting size (R11) because they're specifically exempted. However, they are not exempted from the measurement for max horizontal dimension (R16). It's confirmed in Q&A that the bumpers count against your 80 inches.

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

That I can understand but it seems most folks on this thread (unless I missunderstood) think they count in the starting config measurements.
Just wanted to make sure that was not the case.
Bruce

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

(Read with sarcasm)

Yes, of course we should have the freedom of choice. We should not have to have a bumpers. We should not have to be under 120 pounds. We should be able to put chainsaws on our bot.

(end of sarcasm)
Sorry, if that was in the least bit rude but from what I gather, people would rather have freedom then a challenge. The challenge is why I want to be an engineer. If I could go out and make anything I want with no specifications or restrictions then it just wouldn't be engineering. If you don't agree with me refer to the design process. One of these steps specifically states that we should identify the problem. This year the problem includes a bumper requirement. Plain and simple, design for that and it won't matter.

My only concession: It is mighty hard to find pool noodles in Indiana at this time of year.

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

Bumpers are good. We'd design for protected wheels even if they weren't mandatory. Having the extra size and weight to work with is double good.

That's why I bought a pile of them last July. ;)

Re: How many people like bumpers?
 

Y'all have 'piles' in Indiana? Wonder if you have messes, too - as in, I bought a mess of them last July. mess = pile. But I digress...

go bumpers!