2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

This is real, not a prank from Greg. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr....aspx?id=16075.

Re: 2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

OK, now the fun starts...

[BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

This is the first actual hint released today on Bill's Blog and the usfirst.org website.

Re: 2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

Field element? New trailer hitch? How am i going to build that out of pvc?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

"Good Morning Teams,

I wish you a happy winter holiday of your choice. FIRST will be closed Friday, December25th returning Monday, December 28th

The FRC Season News and Email Blast page now has its own RSS feed.

A game hint should appear on the FRC landing page of the usfirst.org website today….

16 days until the 2010 Kickoff
See you there! "

The link was broke when I try, but I will assume the above pic is legit....

Re: 2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

its a telescoping platform of sorts?.... at least its just telescoping....

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr....aspx?id=16075

It looks like it's only one of a series of these parts.
If multiples of these stack together maybe our robots have to do office filing or parts warehousing:ahh:

Maybe we stack little robot partners on these shelves...

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The link is dead, but the game hint is viewable on the FRC landing page on http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/

Hmmm...

The hint image is an original image, not found anywhere else on the internet based on a TinEye search.

It looks like a multipositioning step of some sorts. Possibly the field this year will have a wall that will vary in height randomly?

EDIT:
Also, since it is listed as "1st Clue.jpg" we might be in for some more clues closer to kickoff.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The design of the piece suggests that it wouldn't be robust enough to be a field piece, in my opinion.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

It's a set of support parts that telescope.

And with the reflections it's not on water its ON ICE!!

It's an ICE ski support with the rest of the ski to be attached.

WE ARE ON THE ICE! Woo roboteers, start your skate machines!

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

It connects to something in the field as the Overpass did in Overdrive. if you look at the smoked lexan, you can see a reflection of a pole (not the two poles visible to us) But a pole with 2 visible pegs. Those could be connections for other pieces? A field element?

Its obviously a render of the field, or more than just this part, they just moved the background plane during the render.

I'll throw stuff out there. I already said a field connection part. So something structural. It could also be an autoloader for some piece. A ball or something, Part, Box, Playing element, that the robots could get at and it would always be filled (by a volunteer!) from 2005.

Thoughts??

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

My first thought was that it looks like some sort of yoke, but that seems too similar to last years idea with the trailers. Unless, this year you attach and reattach trailers...

I don't see how it would be adjustable. There are two pins on either sides that snap into other tubes, but those holes in the center are for attaching the plastic piece, not for sliding, right?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Docking mechanism?

Re: 2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

Maybe that a futuristic hoop because FIRST is doing a techno update on Croquet.

Re: 2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

More discussion over here:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=79453

Re: 2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

It looks more to me like two parallel bars with stops at either end, then another set of tubes that slide over the parallel bars from one stop to the other (there is a small ledge on the pole beyond the center piece that suggests it is not really a telescoping piece)

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The mechanism in the picture looks adjustable, kind of in the same way that a hurdle can be adjusted... Maybe the robots will have the task of changing the height of the mechanism?? Who knows...

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Perhaps the piece that slides over it just isn't pictured.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

It might be a field piece, but it would have to be something attached to the robot side. Again, it just doesn't seem substantial enough (thick enough) or has proper fasteners to be a stationary (permanent) field piece.

It's shown in a horizontal position, maybe we should think of it as a vertical piece of some sort, say a tower? Maybe this is the game piece, you have to make a tower of this and use the Lexan part as some sort of shelf to hang something off of or put something on.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The center (outer) poles look like they slide over the longer inner poles and stop at the pins at either end. On the render, there is a little ledge on the poles that suggests that the inner pole extends the entire length of the image, and that the larger diameter pole is actually shorter than at first glance. I still don't ahve a clue as to what it does, though.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Perhaps we should think of what someone might call this object, rather than what it's function is? A name for this piece might be some kind of play on words for a more complex and subtle game hint within this piece itself. I mean....it is the GDC we're dealing with here...:p

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

You're right about the tubing diameters, but I don't think the bigger ones slide on the smaller ones out to the stops. (Where would those two fasteners slide in the absence of slots in the smaller tube?)

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

FIRST did this in 2008 with the Overpass. They weld it together, and pretty much make it a connection. So maybe this piece is solid and doesnt move, but what it's connected to....

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Looks to me that it's in the wrong orientation and that it is a support for something like a 2x4 or box aluminum.

Re: 2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

I say they are lasers, and you have targets you have to shoot. The field is foggy too. There are some safety issues involved, but he I can dream right?

(Wow I'm posting this on my blackberry curve in a waffle house)

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Good point. I don't think that the connectors go all the way through, though. If they only went in to the outer tube, without penetrating the other side, you wouldn't need the slots, but you also wouldn't ahve a very strong connection either.

The center bracket has 4 small holes in it, making me think that they are designed to be attached to a very specific piece, not used as a rest or anything else. I can't think of anything that would fit that bolt pattern. Perhaps a gearbox, or some other item that we regularly use, but with a bolt pattern that is new from prior years.

Re: 2010 Game Hint (Real)
 

Perhaps a mod can merge the threads?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Possibly a field element for dispensing game pieces? Looks to be about 8" wide, assuming that's 1/4" polycarbonate. Maybe a clue as to how big/how many game pieces we have this year?

Better yet: a tray that holds one robot's battery at the beginning of the match. In order to be functional, an alliance member must go get the battery and plug in the disabled robot.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

An additional thought - the holes in the inner side of the outer tubes looks like they are there so that the bolts holding the brackets to the poles can be tightened or a nut placed on them. It sounds crazy, but if the machine screw were placed from the inner aspect of the pole (using the access hole), if the screw hear were slightly rounded to match the internal diameter of the tube, and if the hole in the outer tube were countersunk (countersinked?), the connection could still be secure, yet allow the outer pole to slide over the inner.

I like the idea of the bracket connecting to a 2x4 or aluminum box. Perhaps it creates a field element that raises adn lowers, giving the robots a short windoe of opportunity to cross from one side of the field to the other, like the year that the robots had to cross on the tilting platform.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

It looks like there are short standoffs?

2003 Stack Attack had the same thing. If your robot was small enough, you could just go right under

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The pins or nubs at either end of the game piece poles could be for connecting other pieces to it, or connecting it to another piece.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

This part fits into lower and upper tubes, which are part of the field. The bumps fit into holes in the tubes. It's a fairly common way to attach tubes that need to be taken apart relatively quickly.

My question is, how long do the legs on our robot need to be?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I am in total agreement that it is not oriented correctly. It is most likely upside-down, and because of the connectors on it, it seems highly unlikely that it is a robot piece. Instead, it is more probable that this is a field piece, and many of them can be connected with poles that work with the connectors so that they form a sort of track that a ball could roll down. The curved bit on the part between the two poles suggest that there is an allowance for something round to pass above it, so it works quite well logically.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Excellent idea. If the bracket were actually on the bottom, and attached to a 2x4 or other support, and the posts on the ends were used to attached to other poles, you could make an elevated raceway or track for balls to roll on. The goal could be place balls on the raceway, push them around the track, remove balls of a certain color, or something like that.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Remember what Dave's morse code said? more or less

That could be refering to this hint. Meaning... it might not be anything we need.

Not a clue what this means now... it could be what everyone thinks it is, or we might not be looking at the picture correctly

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I thought the same thing when I saw the curved 'underside' of the piece. That could very well be it- a whole bunch of these connected could make a pretty nice ball track.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The legs should be about the same length as the arms. At, least that's what we'll have built by kickoff!:D

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The bit about "Nothing Is As/What It Appears to Be What Is" might just be suggesting that it is upside down. We can only hope that it is something we will end up using in the game, and if it is, then there are reasons for it to be designed exactly as it is. The most practical solution is likely the correct one.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

AKA Spring Pins.

It looks to be a union that mates two pair of parallel rails.
If the ID of those rails were one inch, then the C to C width of the rails woud be ~8-1/2"

If a few sets of what we see there and the rails were vertical, they would form a set of shelves (or hangers) of sorts. Kind of like a dual pole bathtub caddy?????

EDIT - On second thought & knowing field construction and shipping limits, those missing rails would be about six feet long.
Given the radius across from the (mounting) ear in the polycarb, I'm inclined (pun intended) to think it's the mount/standoff for a set of ball returns (think bowling alley).

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Love the ball track idea. I feel that the small semi circle is an important part of the clue. Seeing as we are engineers lets analyze this component. There is no structural value also this curve does not remove enough material to be considered for cost purposes; actually forming the curve depending on the technique could actually cost more money. Concluding that this was necessary for another reason quite possibly this proves a ball game.

Extended Thought: 2010 is a World cup year for soccer (foot ball) much like last year was NASA Themed. This component could be given to teams to be used to control a soccer ball. Instead of a ball rack used upside down near to the ground it could control a ball.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I wake up at noon on Christmas Eve, and find tweets announcing a game hint. Looks like I won't be seeing much of my family today...

I think that this is more of an assembly of pieces, and I also agree that this is most likely a field element. Those pins on the end of the tubes look as if they would snap something into place - say, a tube of a larger diameter such as the one in the picture. The piece of lexan/whatever it may be looks like it's a separate part from the tubes.

This kind of reminds me of how the side rails from FRC fields go together, if I remember correctly (forgive me, I've only taken down a field once, and we had more important things to concentrate on while that field was being taken down).

Soooo...if you were to turn this piece so that the tubes were horizontal, and the piece of lexan faced in...and you were to add another one of those larger tubes to the end of one of them with the lexan facing in, but flipped 180 degrees...it could form some sort of a goal?

What's really throwing me off is the little bump at the top of the lexan. It reminds me of a puzzle piece. However, the bottom of it isn't shaped similarly.

Oh, and my brother said that his first impression was 'skis'. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

This could work too. The only potential problem with that idea is that the space where the piece is attached to the poles would not be practical to hang things on, and the couplings on both sides suggest that these wouldn't be end pieces so it doesn't seem efficient to have intervals of not really usable hanging space.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Im just curious if anyone else thinks this but for some reason I think this piece seems to be either scaled down or zoomed up on

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

To ANY Robowrangler students reading this thread:
If any of you ask me about the game hint, at any time, you will be assigned 4 hours of shop cleaning duty during week 1. No exceptions.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Love the idea of some kind of track, and it looks to me like it is some sort of field piece.

The holes in the yellow plastic part suggest that it could be a part of a larger mechanism. Since there is a curve in the yellow plastic, maybe it helps the balls travel down the track (if that is what it really is).

The part looks like it could attach to other parts just like it - the back poles are the right diameter to have the front smaller poles fit inside of them. Once again, this makes me think of a track.

If it is a docking station where two robots can attach to each other, then it is only one small piece because that would DEFINITELY break under the intense environment it would be subject to.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Yeah, I'm seeing this too. And I totally see how everything would mount to fit together.

So what size can we assume the ball is? 12 inches in diameter?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

It does seem to be zoomed up a lot. Considering that this seems to be one of many of these parts, having a lot of them at that scale (which, to me, looks like about two feet long, with the lexan (?) extending out a little less than a foot), and also assuming that this is a field element, having a lot of these on the field would take up A LOT of space.


Concerning the little unused holes on the sheeting....There is one right above the curved bottom, one at the very top of the random bump, and one at the top of each side of the "wings". I would hope that these holes will be used, but I haven't the faintest idea what they would be used for, other than attaching other parts.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I really don't think that the "yellow" piece is Lexan or plastic. In Autodesk Inventor, when you are working on some pieces, you can make it so others are almost translucent so that you can see what you are working on better. (Or this happens automatically, I am just now learning Inventor, so I don't have it all down yet)

As for the upper bump in the center piece, if it is to connect to a support system, the bump gives the ability to place 2 screws or bolts in the piece to make it sturdier. Thus, it could have a use.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Assuming it's 1/4" lexan, the width should be 8-9 inches, so the length is about 12-14?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I'm pretty sure Inventor's "Smoked Polycarbonate" material looks yellow. Can anyone confirm this?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Yes, that's Inventor's Smoked Polycarbonate

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I really think that the holes in the bracket are going to be used to mount the shown piece to a support, making it a field element. The holes are in a similar pattern and size (relative to the bracket device itself) that are seen in brackets used to mount joists in deck and home building. Someone had mentioned a 2x4 earlier in the thread. If this is correct, then the length of this unit would be roughly 6". If soccer balls are to roll on the track, you could have relatively long expanses of track between the supports (if that is indeed what wee have been shown)

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Ah, the joys of another game hint, and that too on the day of Christmas Eve. :D.

I think that the piece is part of a larger piece, I think the thing will be vertically mounted, so where you see the "bump" that is essentially "down." And I think we all are making a terrible assumption in saying the game pieces are balls.

I look forward to the second clue. :D. Hopefully it'll be another picture and not a riddle like it was last yr. :D

- ttl

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I love this policy JVN. I think I will be adopting it for my team.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I totally lol-ed when I read this.

Back on topic though, I think this is a field element - it almost looks like you could have to lift it up at the end of the match to get points or something like that. Or not?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

To ANY Robowrangler student reading this thread:
I will pay generously for John's opinion of which individual person suggested this picture be used as the hint. No answers from JVN or anyone outside of team 148 will be accepted or rewarded.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

It honestly does look like the heel support portion of an adjustable ski binding...

My slalom ski is built nearly the same way, except square rails instead of a round tube....

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

A standard size 5 soccer ball is 8.65 inches in diameter, so that fits right in with that width you have, so if its right, we're getting somewhere

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

All i can say is if this is a part of the field, they are following their tradition of making fields that are very expensive to replicate

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Because of the Lexan/Smoked Polycarbonate part being mounted to the outside of the bars and the screws being recessed on only the inside, that leaves the useful area (during game play) of the piece as the space right between the bars. Which also accounts for the otherwise unnecessary seeming curved bit. And the hardware seems pretty heavy duty--I'm almost inclined to think it is scaled down.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Approximating the ball size assuming an 8in distance between poles and 1in pole diameter and allowing for a tolerance of 1/4 of an inch between the circular shape and the ball, optimal diameter should be approximately 9 inches. This is similar to the size of a soccer ball I made a prototype and it fits oddly well. Admittedly though I am a huge soccer fan and have been hoping for a soccer game for years.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

It's part of an adjustable stilt. The polycarb supports the foot and provides a place to mount the boot. The human players will be wearing stilts during the match.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The arch in the lexan can be used to judge the max diameter of a ball. We would not need a small diameter arch for a large ball. The spacing between rails determines the min diameter of the ball. as soon as we determine these dimensions, we can start evaluating the common ball types for the game.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

could this be a way to string the robots together?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The arch could also be there simply to throw us off and make us assume that the game piece is a ball. :yikes:

But that is perhaps too devious.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

If the lexan is indeed 1/4 inch, then the small tube is 1.25" in dia and the large tube is 1.5 inches in dia.

And its 7.75 inches from inside to inside of the lexan.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

What if each end of the pipes holds a wheel and it supports some big movable goal? Sort of like in zone zeal.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

This has nothing to do with the game...BUT, does that look like Solidworks or Inventor to you guys? Feels like a SW render.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I'm 99% sure it's Inventor.

It's the default reflective ground, and the "smoked lexan" is ugly yellow. =)

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The GDC is the Grinch because they just stole my Christmas!:rolleyes:

The hint looks like it could be moved around and maybe stacked on another two of whatever we are calling this piece.

Stacking challenge?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Assuming that the piece will be included as part of the field as-is, it probably is a track of some kind, because otherwise the arch cutout just adds time and effort to the manufacture.

Edit: My brother's first thought looking at it was "sled"

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

My prediction is that this is a robot piece, that will be included in every kit, and that JVN oversaw the manufacturing of :D . It will be mounted high on the robot, and hangars (not pictuered) will be affixed to the pipes on either side. As in last year, the goal is the opponent robot. You will have to hook rings over these hangars (much like 07). At the end of the match, the quick release pins permit quick removal of the rings from the robots, and installation of the hangars onto the next teams' robots. There will be two special color rings that if a robot gets hooked with, voids the tally of the rings it is holding.

Oh, and bumpers will be mandatory, and the floor may not be carpet.

That's what I gather from this.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

square game pieces anyone?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The first thing I picked out was that the piece of lexan is cut with a circle on the bottom and the top is half open

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

It's Christmas eve. I'm sick. Why, GDC, do you have such pinpoint timing? :)

Well, frankly I wouldn't rule out it being a game-piece. If it doesn't seem sturdy enough, remember last year's orbit balls? Yeah, not the sturdiest of tools.

In any case, I like the idea of this being the goal somehow, vertically standing, and changing height. Perhaps this has something to do with human player interaction? Because I don't think that we could really design an effective robot to press those damned side-buttons in! Those things are DEATH.

Inevitably, I have no idea. :D

Happy Christmas.

EDIT: Oh, and I forgot to mention. What if a bunch of these little buggers attach to each other via the pipes?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I spent a few minutes trying to recreate this in Inventor. I completely guessed on a lot of the stuff, so it looks different from the original model, but I think the CAD renders will display some things. I apologize if my post seems huge because of the picture size

First off, we have the original. Now my problem was that no matter what, i could not create this reflection circled in red. As you can see, this must be another part that corresponds with this. A pole with pins in it.



Here is the model I tried to replicate. Same background with the reflection, same material.



I flipped the render. I was too lazy to get the background perfect, but everyone who was talking about a track, I'm sure this is what your imagining

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

While I still think that this is a field element, if it IS a robot piece...my vote goes to battery mount. Doesn't it just look like a battery would fit in there nicely? ;)

Though the reason that I don't think that it's a robot part is because of the pins/bolts/?? at the ends of the two tubes. No matter where this assembly would attach, it would be VERY constricting in terms of robot design. I understand that the rover wheels last year changed drive trains a lot, but most teams were able to simply modify whatever they had previously used to encompass a differently sized wheel. If this part is to scale by Inventor standards, it seems like it would HIGHLY constrict robot design - even if you found a different way to attach it to your robot/were allowed to do so.
I'm not trying to shut down any ideas; just my $0.02

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I'm just gonna throw this out there. But I don't think focusing on the reflection is going to do us any good. There is going to obviously be other stuff on the field besides this part.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Cool. Try making the inside to inside of the lexan 7.75" apart, the large tube 1.5" in dia, and the small tube 1.25" in dia.

Assuming 0.25" thick lexan.

I'm still trying to find out the radius of that curve cutout.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Maybe it's just a part of the new entrance gate to the field. No? Then what if you turn the object vertical and mount a few of them on the end wall,a few feet into the field,making the lexan the stationary part. This would make the poles the moving part,with set distance of travel due to the stop pins. I think those are stop pins because i have never seen back to back push pins. It could be put at a height that the top pin would stop, what i will call a wall, from falling all the way to the floor. This gap at the floor is so your bot can slide the wall up and push the game piece into the scoring area.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The only thing I can gather from this, is that whatever this piece is, it's apart of the field, and it's not laying on the ground. It has to be some part of a larger mechanism, something like The Rack, only this is a lot more interesting.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The pins could be like those on some tent poles. Press them in and slide the pole till they snap into the holes on the outer tube. This would allow the inner pole to lock in either of the holes.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I'm going to echo what others have said in terms of it doesn't seem to be strong enough to withstand direct robot interaction. this could very well be a part of the Human Player interaction but I just don't see it being part of a scoring structure that will need to withstand the abuse of a match/competition.

In any event, Welcome tot he 2010 FIRST Robotics Competition

If your a rookie, don't lose sleep over this hint, but have fun with it.

Happy Holidays everyone! Enjoy spending time with your family because 16 days from now you will see them very little over the following 6 weeks.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I see one odd problem with the adjustability...The little nubs that go into the yellow piece...Well, they don't go all the way through. If you were to push them in to adjust it, they would just like...fall into the tube. Also, if you were to move the thing, the nubs don't like, match up. Imagine the middle part being moved up to lock in place... only one of the holes would have the little pin in it. Why make two holes in the middle then? Another thing - because the little nubs or whatever holding the yellow part on don't go through...they could be either hollow, which WOULD allow for adjustment...somewhat...or, the middle tube and them are all one solid piece, but then how does the yellow part snap on...THE FACT THAT THE PINS DON'T GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH SCREWS EVERYTHING UP.

Another thought - The nubs on the ends are for attachment of other pieces. Ergo, the thing is NOT adjustable.

Also - What about the 4 other holes in the yellow part?

Idea explaining end pins - more tubes attach to the bottom and top, making some weird abomination of mechanical engineering, aka an obstacle or something of some sort.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Hey guys,

Look, yes FIRST is known for its trickery and hints, but maybe we have not looked at it fully. Try turning the picture 90 degrees. It looks like a holder for a game piece that could easily be mounted on the side of the field. I mean yes it is a little farther out. But I looked and thought it would be a trailer hitch again. With how it looked and where you can just roll up to a trailer, hook on, move it around and even dump w.e it is inside the trailer somewhere else. But with the look out of it. I see a high game piece, maybe even an extra bonus piece being placed up there. Or, even the last second bonus area to score. Maybe finally seeing some square game pieces like the Wall of totes in 2001.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I'll work on that. I was very close. The inside to inside of the lexan was 8". the large tube diameter was 1.5", and i kept the wall thickness at 0.83" which is what FIRST used is the past for field elements made out of steel. Especially the Overpass. The small tube is 1.417" in diameter only because I just made it off of the inner diameter of the large pipe. Same wall thickness.

I can't remember the radius of the cutout, but I believe it was 11"

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Top 100!!!

Sorry I had to before this tread becomes 900 posts long, :)
It looks like Christmas really did come early this year.

As far as the part goes I question a few things that I don't think we can quite make out.

1. Do the spring pins depress are are they fixed.
2. If fixed do the pipes that they are on rotate around the center object so something can "screw" onto it to lock it (or the robot for that matter) in position.
3. I have worked with with this type of "locking mechanisms" in both applications, and both have different advantages and disadvantages.

Ok on a final note my grandparents just flew into town and for kicks I had to ask...."Grama and Grampa what do you think this is?" They said it looked like the "Spaceship Branson is flying people into space with" I have to say they are sorta close.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Assuming it's a ball track, here is a picture showing the relative size of things (from what I could gather from the picture), and the possible size of the ball.

Note that the 8.25" width of the lexan is from outside to outside.

Sorry for the messy dimensioning. I did this quickly.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Makes me think this is a projectile device of some type. I liked 2006. Maybe we'll have another year of balls flying around.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

How's this for the size? Ah, the mocking-up skills you learn as a FRC team member. Cardboard (or this case, printer paper) is a wonderful thing. Anyone else want to to a better job?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I already posted this in the other thread, but hey here we go.

I say they are lasers, and you have targets you have to shoot. The field is foggy too. There are some safety issues involved, but hey I can dream right?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

So who is going to start looking at game hint suggestion threads from years past to see where this could fit?

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

The pins can still be locking pins where you take the next piece of piping (one per side) that has a groove in it that is L-shaped. Push it on, rotate, and it locks. If any of you work in a hospital, it is much akin to the locking cap on a Swan-Ganz catheter sheath.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Come on guys and girls, it's one of those fancy camera mounts.

... For those of you who are actually pulling their hair out over this game hint, please don't take me seriously. I just had to say something.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

I think the holes in the big pipe are merely access points for the nuts on the polycarb-to-pipe bolts.

I like the ball track idea, but I see a problem with the pins. They seem to stick out farther than the thickness of the big pipe, so they would interfere with a ball riding the rails. Another note on those pins. What are the white spots? My thoughts are either those spring balls thingers or holes for cotter pins.

I can't decide if the big pipe slides up and down the smaller one, but I'm more inclined to say it doesn't.

The tab thing on the polycarb stumps me.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

hm...interesting that they seem to have given us a tangible design as opposed to something more...cerebral.

Last year was a fish, where we had to deduce that the field would be slippery. Now we're being given what seems to be a field element. Just interesting.

Unless it's not a field element, and it's supposed to somehow get us to think of an aspect that the game will have...like, interlocking, for example. No idea.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

Is anyone good at image encryption/decryption? Might be something hidden in there which would go with the whole "nothing is as it seems" hint brought up earlier...

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

While I like the idea of the 'bowling alley return' structure, I don't see why lexan was used. Surely there are other materials laying around HQ that are ligher and *cheaper* for that purpose. Lexan would be used so people need to see through it; I struggle to reason why a support piece like this would need to be transparent.
I can't help but be reminded of the 2007 hint.

Re: [BB] 2010 Game Hint #1
 

maybe instead of thinking left and right, we should think of and down. What if this is part of a conveyor system that moves over a wall or something. Robots would score by putting the game piece on it and it would get higher and higher, or something.