Team Update #2
 

It is out now...

http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Team%20Update%202.pdf

Big clarification on the bumper rules.

Re: Team Update #2
 

I still don't know one question:

If a robot pours a few orbit balls onto an already filled-to-the-top goal, do those balls get scored even if they just fall out? Do the balls that stay on the top for a few seconds then fall out because the trailer moved get scored?

Re: Team Update #2
 

<G07>
Scores are determined based on the state of the GAME PIECES at the end of the MATCH.

so the fallen balls wont count

Re: Team Update #2
 

There isn't too much of big mind blowing information. But I do agree on the clarification on the bumpers as teams might not of thought of that happening.

I also like that they are going to be posting updates on Tuesdays and Fridays, if I remember correctly they were only released on Fridays last year. I think I might like this as they won't get as lengthy

Re: Team Update #2
 

How can that be when the rules say that if a trailer tips over, the points before the trailer was tipped will count?

Edit: Nevermind...both are correct. Scores are calculated at the end unless the trailer tips over.

Re: Team Update #2
 

hmm...I guess I'm over-thinking something. Unhealthy....

thanks

Re: Team Update #2
 

Is it new for team updates to contain advice toward specific designs?

Re: Team Update #2
 

Can someone explain what they are talking about in the bumper section? I understand the individual rules they stated, but then the next paragraph and the pictures I dont understand. What are they trying to say?

Joey

Re: Team Update #2
 

i think they are talking about a "wide drive bot" which means the 38" section is the front and the 28" the sides

with a wide drive you could follow the all of the r<08> bumper rules and be able to "engulf" the enemy trailer and constrain its movement

there are many uses for that

Re: Team Update #2
 

I'll take a crack at that one.

Suppose your robot is built to the maximum <R11> horizontal dimensions 28" x 38". Its BUMPER PERIMETER is therefore (2 x 28) + (2 x 38) = 132 inches, so per the 2/3 rule it must include at least 88 inches of bumpers; that is, it cannot have more than 44 inches of gaps in the bumper. You must leave a gap for the trailer hitch, which is 7" long, so you might think that leaves you with 37 inches of available unprotected BUMPER PERIMETER length, so that nearly one full 38 inch side of the robot could be left unprotected.

But you'd be wrong, because of two other requirements: each bumper segment must be at least six inches long per <R08-A> and the corners must be protected per <R08-I>. Applying these two rules, you find that the maximum unprotected length of BUMPER PERIMETER allowed is 38 - (2 x 6) = 26 inches.

A 26 inch unprotected gap will allow your robot to partially envelope one face or corner of an opponent's trailer, as illustrated by the example drawing at the top of page 3 in Team Update #2.

Re: Team Update #2
 

Thanks alot for that. Now I understand what they were getting at. They should put your description into the update, because it is much more clear. I dont know if it was just me that couldnt understand it, but you really helped.

Joey

Re: Team Update #2
 

I'm suprised, still no mention of G14 changes.

Re: Team Update #2
 

I would've like if they commented on their being bumpers on the front because of the only 37" inches of unbumpered left, or if there are simply required regardless.

Re: Team Update #2
 

The thing that is confusing me is the 6" section part of the rule.

If they require that a wide-drive 'bot have 6" of bumpers in the front, then how did figure 8-2 come to pass? That figure clearly shows a bumper piece that wraps around a corner. Is that legal because it's more than 90-degrees?

How do you measure the length of an L-shaped bumper? Couldn't you just add up the internal lengths? Theoretically you might be able to make an L-shaped bumper that has 4" on one side and 2" on the other.

Figure 8-2 and the 6" rule are making my head hurt.

Re: Team Update #2
 

I had this exact same thought and I asked it on the Q&A. It seems to me that these 2 are contradictory.

I also wonder the same as Jgannon why they are addressing specific robot designs in the rules. It is really starting to make me wonder why they just didn't include an instruction manual with the kit this year saying "we want you to build this"