Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
We don't want and cannot allow, a mechanism that appears as if it can launch pieces of itself into people standing near the field or in the stands. Additionally, we do not want to see launch mechanisms that can trigger accidentally anywhere in the competition venue. That holds true for the queue, near or on the playing field, the pit, or during inspection.
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I agree with everything that Al has said, and I would like to expand on this statement from Al. The LRI's at the events are not just concerned about the safety of the robot on the field, though this is important. Generally, the field is a safe place due to the distances that the robots operate from the humans around it. The key areas that we are concerned about is when the robot is within close proximity to people, which is when it is in your pit, when it is being pushed around the venue, and when it is in queue. To help you out, here are some things that LRI's will be concerned about
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1. Make sure that the mechanism cannot unintentionally fire, while sitting still or when in transit.
The amount of force that is required to fire these balls and the possible size of the launching mechanisms will be a concern. An unintentional firing can cause serious damage to a person nearby, or inadvertently tip a robot possibly causing it to fall off a cart onto somebody nearby. Make sure that you have some sort of way to either release all stored energy, or safely contain it so that a single point failure will not cause an inadvertent firing, such as locking pins, straps, etc.
2. Check the weak links within your system, and also have spares handy.
Due to the large forces that may be required to propel the ball, there could be a massive amount of stress experienced by the springs, surgical tubing, bungees, etc. that are powering the firing mechanism. First of all, never "modify" COTS springs. Even small defects in a modification could cause a catastrophic failure due to fatigue. Attachment points should also be looked at since those are sometimes the week link in the system. Make sure you have appropriately tied down, crimped, knotted your bungees or surgical tubing. Any springs, surgical tubing, bungees, etc. that are frayed, chewed up, noticeably kinked, etc. will also be looked at very hard throughout the event. If we see any damage that may be done to your firing mechanisms, we will ask you to fix it for your own safety and the safety of people around the robot. Also, it will make sure that the robot still works during the competition.
3. Make sure that the stored energy is contained if the robot decides to "spontaneously disassemble".
Even if the best attachment points are used, with new springs, surgical tubing, bungees, etc., bad things can happen. Manufacturing defects can cause catastrophic failures of these energy storage devices when they are under load. To make sure that your robot does not create any whips or missiles, take the time to try and make sure that a catastrophic "spontaneous disassembly" of your robot is contained to the robot. You can fish a safety wire down the center of a spring to make sure if it breaks it will not fly out of the robot. Make sure that surgical tubing or bungees are buried inside the robot, so if they break, they will rattle around in the robot and not whip outside the robot. Any stretched and fully exposed surgical tubing or bungees will be looked at for further consideration. The team may be asked to add a few structural members to make sure that if they snap they will not fling outside of the robot.
I am looking forward to seeing the awesome designs teams will be creating during this competition. Always be thinking about safety when you operator your robot, not just at the events, but also at home as well. We want to make sure to see everyone on your team at the events.