[FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Hey Guys,

I've done FTC for the past two years, but this year its no dice. Being an addict I would love to do some design. Unfortunately I don't have a field so I was wondering if some people who end up playing around with the field would be willing to post their findings, specifically:

• How easily can the magnet sensor detect the magnet balls?
• How easily do the cylinder and balls slide off the top of the stack?
• With a most of the balls on the field, how many can a good collector grab in a minute?
• How hard is it to push the ball up the ramp?
• Anything else unexpected or coll that you noticed?

Thanks in advance for any answers,

- Alex

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

This photo was taken at the NJ FTC kickoff
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/3133/photocm.jpg

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Two important things:
-The crates are a lot smaller than they look
-The ramp has only about a 20-degree slope

Also, to answer some of your questions,
"How easily can the magnet sensor detect the magnet balls?"
Last year, with the PVC pipes, it was difficult and often unreliable. We used different magnet sensors.
"With a most of the balls on the field, how many can a good collector grab in a minute?"
Idealistically, lots. Watch some videos of Hot Shot to get some ideas.

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Except for the one rule for only holding 15 balls at once :( Thats going to be the difficult part for alot of teams I think is getting an intake that can intake no more than 15 at once... The balls are so small I think that getting systems that don't jam, and funnel balls nicely will be a difficult part of design this year.

- Andrew

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Very true. Whoever's reading this - if you don't have treads, you should consider getting them.

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Now who said you needed Treads? :p There are more ways to go about making smaller more efficient mechanisms :D

Examples:
- Surgical Tubing
- Kind of string (very possible but can be difficult)
- The grippy material
- Rollers
- and to cover alot of possible things even the single claw gripper and shoulder

If I am missing anything be feel free to add :D

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Surprisingly, there are a number of defense strategies that can be used for this game.

For example: Either you or your alliance partner can block the opponent's "safe zone" preventing them from stacking. If they try to stack in the open field, I think you can knock it over.

I may be wrong about that though...

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

The ramp (the place you start) is also considered a "safe zone", just pointing that out. My guess is its more effective to just push there crates into the corner away from the safe zones.

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

What is everybody thinking about autonomous strategy? The only thing that looks like it's worth it is parking with the bowling ball for the 20 pts.

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Turn over your bins, turn the opponents upside down?
(+30 for you, -30 for them)

Put the Ball in back corner + 20
Put the Robot in Front + 10

Maximum score for auto seems like +60 for you, -30 for them

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Are you sure your allowed to flip the opponents stacks? I thought that would be giving THEM the 5 points/stack?

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Scores don't go negative....

Also... Crazy but this is just a point. As of now there are no rules saying you can't be in both the front and back zone at the end of autonomous... Just sayin'...

- Andrew

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

They are already upside down, and points can't go under 0 in FTC (thankfully), and have fun getting the crate that is under the other team's crate, but its possible.

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Actually, the -30 in my example was a defensive score... (I meant that you prevent them from getting it). Although I suppose from that standpoint, the two corners seem pretty small too... I wonder how hard it would be to position yourself so that you're in, and they can't get in...

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

Another quick question. The animation shows the stacking bonus being given during the driver-controlled period. Does your robot have to be holding the stack after the match is over to get the 10-20 pts? Can you do it more than once?

Re: [FTC]: Bowled over prototyping
 

I'm pretty sure it's counted after the game is over. End game is still during driver-controlled period.