How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

Anyone know how they are going to determine that the soccer ball goes into your robot 3 inches? The ball is made up of sown together sections so it can vary in depth.
One of our engineers found that a regualtion bowling ball is the same size as the soccer ball. Hmmmmmmmm

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

Ssshhhhhhh! We are not supposed to worry about bowling ball incursion until next year.


-dave



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Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

This is just my opinion, but it would be easiest to have a standard regulation ball at inspection so the inspectors can check that, on a flat ground just sitting there, a ball can't go more than 3 inches in. Yes, the ball won't be perfectly round, but it should be close enough... If the inspector sees any trouble spots, he can first warn the team, and second warn the refs. Then the refs just need to watch those trouble spots and for any obvious problems (like teams coming over a bump and landing on top of a ball).

It's going to be impossible for a ref to determine on the fly if your robot allows a 3 inch incursion under normal conditions - that determination almost has to be done off the field.

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

Usually they use a jig. I would guess a simple square tube with a 3 inch piece screwed to it. Then they'll slide the bar back and forth to check the areas.

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

aw crap. here we go again....

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

Off the field becomes tricky. It is not against the rules for a ball to be able to roll more than 3" under your robot, it is only against the rules for a ball to roll 3" under your robot.

And I agree that the best way to do this is to have the inspectors notify the referees of the possibility of the ball rolling 3" or more under your robot.

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

Don't worry, the game piece will never be a bowling ball. They are too hard to wear. :D

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

You are going to be wearing soccerballs?

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

I'm not but I'm sure someone will think of something. I'm sticking with my cool Converse and tie-dye.

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

How "un-round" are soccerballs? Are we arguing over thousandths of an inch? Hundreths? Tenths?

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

My interpretation matches yours. This is not an inspection issue, it is a referee "real time" issue similar to extending outside the max extension in 2008.

I think 148 is going to make a point of demonstrating to head-refs that balls cannot enter our robot more than 3". Education may be the key to avoiding penalties from over-eager flag throwers.

I can only imagine the reaction from our new coach if we get such a penalty... ;)

-John

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

Daniel and John, <R19> clearly specifies that the robots must be designed so that the balls cannot go more than 3" inside the frame perimeter during normal operation.

This then becomes an inspection issue, because the inspectors need to check the normal operation parameters for the 3" incursion, whether or not it happens on the field.

I'm thinking that a rig like the inspectors had last year for the bumper/trailer hitch checking would probably do the trick. One side bumper, one side ball. If it catches something, grab a ball from the practice field or the field stash to verify.

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

I'm wearing soccer balls. :D Well, sort-of. (already posted in cdmedia)
And I've upgraded to glitter Converse this year.

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

I'm curious about what the refs are going to do if a ball fence on a robot gets bent or tweaked during competition and lets the ball in, say, 4 inches. They would have a hell of a time seeing that from 30 feet away... :confused:

Re: How are they going to inspect for a 3" incursion
 

New coach??? Who is that going to be???