numbers on bumpers
 

This year the numbers are supposed to be 4" high and located on the bumpers. (R15).

How to do this? There is no 4" high flat surface on the bumpers. Paint on the cloth might work (stenciled), but might get rubbed off during energetic action; the cloth is pretty slippery. An applied number would get pulled off.

Right now our best idea is a transparent flexible plastic panel like milk bottle material. The number could be on the back surface and show through, and the panel could be secured with zip ties around the whole bumper.

Any thoughts?

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

I would consider the plastic overlay to be a "hard part" per rule <R07N>, and thus illegal. But I'm not an inspector.

Many teams have successfully used paint, applique, or embroidery to put numbers on bumper material in the past.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

you could get fabric glue and glue cloth numbers on. also last year my team spraypainted numbers on with stencils and had no problems with abrasion.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Our team just painted/stencilled our numbers on. They are still there.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

We're doing this for the first time as well. We settled on a spray fabric paint after application and collision testing a few different methods. I'd love to have it embroidered, but it's not in our schedule or budget this year. We created our own stencil and painted fabric before it went on the bumper. We just finished painting the red bumper fabric last evening and we'll assemble those bumpers today. All has gone well so far, I'll let you know if anything goes "wrong" from here forward

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

What we have done in the past is use out t-shirts that have our number on them and sew those on to the bumpers. It is easy to do and we have never had any fall off.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

We tend to use sharpie. It seems to work without flaw :)

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

local sign shops / embroidery shops also do heat application of vinyl graphics onto cloth. that is probably what we will do.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Our team will be using spray paint as well, although our other option was to use iron-on fusable fabric adhesive.

If stability is your main concern, you can find sheets of fabric adhesive at most craft or fabric stores (one main brand is called Heat N' Bond, or it can also be called "fusable webbing"). Sewing the edges of the cut-out numbers in a matching thread in addition to using the fabric adhesive should be more than enough to hold the numbers.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

We have used fabric paint with stencils (and occasionally just paint with one artistic student's hands) the past three years and have not had any problems with the numbers coming off.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Fabric paint, works better than expected. Yes, it will start scuffing after a few matches, but it is rare that you will have to repaint in a season. In 2008, we only did a few minor touch ups and that was after 4 competitions. In 2009 no issues at all.

Good luck!

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Here are several sources for iron-on athletic jersey number sets that should work perfectly:

- Best Blanks
- Number4Sports
- Spot98

-dave




.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Thanks Dave, those do look like a great way to apply team numbers to bumpers.

The third link you posted may be the best bet for teams as the first ones may be a bit too tall for as bumper and the second one is pricey as it includes numbers teams will not use and a special coating that is only required if the fabric has already been printed on.

Here are two more sources that look like they might work (although you will end up with a bunch of extra numbers)

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/store/ite...0&ItemId=92682
http://www.shopsei.com/largeImage.cfm?product=881

You may also be able find something like this at your local arts & crafts store such as Michaels or Jo-Ann Fabrics

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Our team is using Vinyl numbers (like the ones you put on plexi or lexan) and using Gorilla glue to keep them on.

They do NOT come off. Ha.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Jim,

I'd submit this to the official GDC Q&A. If I had to guess, most inspectors would have heartburn with the covering of the entire bumper with plastic.

A fabric paint stencil is the easiest, fastest and must durable way I have seen to do it.

Regards,

Mike

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

This may be more relevant to last year (due to the low friction), but couldn't the bumper numbers be a competitive advantage? For example, if I'm a defensive robot that needs to 'stick' to an offensive robot, wouldn't I want my bumper number to have a high friction? Is there anything stopping a team from using stickum for their bumper numbers? There were a lot more times last year where teams got pinned against the driver station and the bumpers than against the rail, so it does make a difference.

If any team decides to use stickum, they better name their robot after Lester Hayes :)

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

We are blessed to have some members who know their way around a sewing machine. An order to AHH for white Cordura fabric, some work with scissors to cut numbers, and 20 minutes later we have peramanent numbers.
(FYI, do this BEFORE you assemble the bumpers!)

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

We've always used fabric paint and stencils which have worked well. The our numbers from the Overdrive competition are still on and looking strong. Last year we used an 'arts and craft' paint (like kids use in kindergarten) and it didn't hold up as well.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

You could also just screen print your bumpers. In 2006, 2007, 2008 we screen printed our bumpers and had no problem at all...

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

I can't really tell without an engineering drawing of these items ? haha.

Last year in Atlanta as we went through inspection they went over our numbers with a scale and it was off a millimeter and we had to rework our numbers. arrrgh.

The 4" height and 3/4" stroke width are not nominal but minimum requirements.

Ed

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

It probably hasn't been asked of the GDC this year but this type of question has been asked in prior years.

Using team numbers on the bumpers with special material characteristics for competitive advantage is not within the spirit and intent of the game rules and competition.

Therefore ...... NO .... no stickum.. nice try. You'd likely get the same answer this year too.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Team 178 has had our team name and number embroidered onto the fabric for the past few years.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Too bad they are not in camo.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

ah, I must have missed that in previous years. Anyway, it was more of a 'wouldn't it be cool if...' idea. I knew it probably wouldn't be allowed but wasn't aware of a specific rule or GDC ruling preventing it.

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Thanks everyone for the good advice. We will experiment with a couple of these good suggestions.

Jim Wick

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

We use this stuff - http://www.yourbagtag.com/store/pc/I...Paint-p125.htm

Its awesome, used for marking SCUBA neoprene suits and gear. Very tough and lost of colors. Your local SCUBA shop will have them

Re: numbers on bumpers
 

Really? Scribbles fabric paint is used for marking SCUBA suits? That's something I didn't know before! If you don't have a local SCUBA shop, most craft stores also carry it, or something like it.