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Unread 05-01-2003, 17:58
Jnadke Jnadke is offline
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Re: traction questions

Quote:
Originally posted by Aonic
ok... so i've got a few questions:

1. if you have a foam thingy on the bottom of your wheels, and the weight of the robot presses it into the mesh so part of it protrudes through, is that in violation of the rules?
Until further clarification, yes, it is in violation of the rules. If objects are put through the mesh for the purpose of grabbing, the holes could get deformed.

However, this rule is a bit vague, because it doesn't define the maximum extent of the pertrusion. Any circular wheel will pertrude into the opening of the mesh, but only a little bit. My best guess is that most traction material will be fine, they just don't want people sticking a pneumatic rod through the mesh opening to hold their robot's position.

Quote:
2. i saw a robot last year that used a belt with metal upside-down 'U'-shaped things to grab onto the carpet... that isn't allowed this year, right?
Correct. Carpet-metal interatction is prohibited by the rules. This inclides the ever popular chain-cleat treads.

Quote:
3. our mentor used some polyurethane foam stuff with some traction pattern cut out of it attached to their wheels last year. is that not allowed this year? it says that the outer surface of off-the-shelf wheels may be modified by removing tread material only.
There's no reason why you cannot use the polyurethane, but you will have to manufacture your own wheels from stock, and then adhere the material to them.
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Last edited by AdamT : 08-01-2003 at 00:16.