Re: My comments on shooters
 

I'll be one of the few panicking FTAs. And my own team will be among those that need close watching. They'd better shoot straight, or things could get interesting. See this video.

Oh, and all you drive teams, please put some velcro hooks under your controls.

Re: My comments on shooters
 

DAAAAANG

We may need hardhats :P

Re: My comments on shooters
 

I was thinking of putting bullseyes on the scorekeepers, announcer and myself, like at a shooting gallery, but decided it probably isn't the show FIRST had in mind!

Seriously, we'll be watching for unsafe operation of all robots - whether they're shooters, arms or lappers. <S01> has a big footprint. As far as shooters go, I think it will behoove the drivers to be very careful about where they point that thing before they pull the trigger.

One of the things I like about Overdrive is the number of ways to score points and I'm hoping to see lifts, arms, catapults and lappers racking 'em up this week!

With regards to field reset safety and armed catapults, one solution I saw a team use that looked very simple and effective was to wrap a heavy-duty adjustable cable lock around the catapult and the robot chassis. McMaster sells this one (1033A31, $25.35):

Re: My comments on shooters
 

While a shot trackball may cause damage...its not any more danger than the robots themselves. Robots are dangerous... This is why we take into account all of the safety measures that go with them. Some of these teams that are pushing 20 fps @ 120 lbs....THATS A LOT OF ENERGY.

I see how shooters can be dangerous, but I can see how every robot could be dangerous in some aspect. I think singling shooters out here in my opinion, is kind of lame. Sure they throw the ball, but being cautious from the beginning is going to keep everyone safe.

Re: My comments on shooters
 

But Richard, FTAs aren't allowed to panic.

Dodge yes, but panic certainly not!

We're the ones that are supposed to be making sure everything holds together. We can't do that if we're coming apart. So be prepared to duck and cover the scoring system, but keep your head together. (At least until the ball takes you out)

Re: My comments on shooters
 

Will the FTAs be wearing body armor? LOL

Re: My comments on shooters
 

"Robots will have to be built robustly to avoid damage from falling Trackballs."
-- 2008 Overdrive Animation.

There are non-shooting robots that can drop a Trackball more than 10' (Team 294: front and center!). An eight pound ball dropped from that height can do some serious damage. Balls dropped from that height can also careen off the field. Safety concerns about the kinetic energy of Trackballs will involve more than shooters.

I think the bigger concern is the risk of the shooter mechanism itself. Teams with shooters need to consider the effects of various failure modes (i.e. suppose this bolt comes loose, what if this bracket gets bent, and so on) and design accordingly. Team members should be prepared to tell the inspectors what fail-safe provisions are included to avoid injury to team members and people NOT familiar with the robot (referees, alliance partners, field reset, etc.). If your robot is a shooter, your "Release Safety Officer" should expect to get grilled on the contents of Update 5. Inspectors will not give much lattitude to a team that hasn't paid attention to safety considerations in their design.

Re: My comments on shooters
 

Currently we have several possible ways to prevent a release. The best would be to launch with ten seconds left in the match with or without a trackball (I know, be careful where we shoot if not making a hurdle). The second is the mechanical stop used for the release, it holds very well, however there is always a chance it could release, it does not require any energy to stay put. The third is a bar that we push through the launcher and other support structures, this must be physically placed by a team member. The fourth is a very slow backdrive on a worm gear, this one has to be deactivated in order for us to launch and may not be practical to use while on the field, again, in the last five seconds we could reactivate it. We have several ways to prevent, slowly or quickly release the energy. I guess we will find out at our first regional if we have done enough.

Re: My comments on shooters
 

I agree with David. The biggest danger I see from shooters is parts coming off of the machines not the ball itself, especially on the stored energy machines.

Proper maintenance will be critical and I hope it will be stressed by the inspectors.

Re: My comments on shooters
 

agreed, teams will need to be closely monitoring their machine for stressed parts.

Re: My comments on shooters
 

We didn't get kevlar FTA vests, but I'm lobbying for this patch for all field personnel:

Re: My comments on shooters
 

Maybe we should lobby, instead, for a field mod. We should have a large lexan box around the field. You know, like a raquet ball court! Then we can convert Overdrive to 3D pinball :D

Re: My comments on shooters
 

3D pinball... oh dear, now you've given Dave ideas for the 2009 game.

Re: My comments on shooters
 

Just like when Casey Mears drove the Target car in NASCAR. You put a target on it and some one will shoot, hit, or plow into it. I think he got wrecked more times that he finished. With a patch like that on you, people will definitely take aim.

Re: My comments on shooters
 

The denim in those things should be enough for a simple trackball, Pete. How many layers do they have with all those pockets?:D