2011 Team Update #2
 

http://usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Rob...0Update_02.pdf

More minibot clarifications and the addition of pneumatic pistons and storage tanks to the list of allowable pneumatic components.

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

This relaxation of the pneumatic rules makes Scott very happy!

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

I'm guessing this thread won't consist of 8 pages of complaints :)

Being able to use cylinders at our discretion is great. I'm happy. Though, I doubt my team will take advantage of the ruling.

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

Hmmm, can we use ANY pneumatic storage tank? I can think of some pretty huge ones that would meet the pneumatics safety requirements.

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

But can you spare the weight? ;)

Engineering is all tradeoffs.

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

Trading?
What?
Stock market time! :yikes:

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

I believe that if we go with pneumatics, then if we end up a few pounds under the limit... AIR TANKS!

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

Oops - thanks to whoever closed my thread in the other forum; I didn't see this one when I hunted quickly - I should have searched.

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

Maybe not, but that's got to be the harshest red card ever. DQ'd for deploying your MINIBOT marginally too high? :eek:

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

I agree Gary
I think they added the language and didn't look at the penalty

The penalty SHOULD be Red Card for deploying your minibot on a different tower and a standard tower disable for starting too high...

that would be much more fitting...

I think you SHOULD get a RED CARD for trying to mess up another team's shot at the minibot by deploying on the opponent's tower.

But for a slight discretion on your own tower you should just have the tower disabled...

Much more reasonable penalty...

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

So it's ok if a person in Track starts on a running block that's marginally too far forward?

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

No, but the penalty would be the same for starting too far forward or starting too soon, wouldn't it?

If you deploy your MINIBOT early, the tower is disabled - you lose any possible race bonus points.

If you deploy too high, you are DQ'd - but presumably your alliance still gets the bonus points? The rules don't say.

They should have included "entirely below the deployment line" into <G20>, not <G21>.

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

No, but this is equivalent to removing the runner's score from the race (disabling the tower) as opposed to saying that all previous races are discounted because of it.

I agree that the red card is a bit harsh, perhaps we'll see this changed in the next one. Regardless, people should be designing their systems so they can't deploy above the line easily or at all, so hopefully it will be a non-issue either way.

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

I'm with you there. I suspect that it's a mistake and will be corrected in a later update.

I'm happy that FIRST has relaxed the pneumatics rules, but I doubt our strategy is going to take advantage of them this year.

Re: 2011 Team Update #2
 

I'd say second harshest. Harshest is when you get a red card for your partner not passing inspection.