Thread: Velcro tread
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Unread 14-09-2014, 23:27
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FRC #1197 (Torbots)
Team Role: Engineer
 
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Re: Velcro tread

I'm going to comment here based on past history. I think some folks will find this interesting.

Prior to 2003, traction was "anything goes". Metal treads, metal studs, you name it. In 2002, with a high-traction pushing war, many teams had some form of metal cleats on their drivetrain or lock-down devices. The most famous? 71, with their file-card drivetrain. But after every event, the carpet was just about trashed. (Especially where 71 had been driving if they'd hit resistance.)

Fast forward to 2003. That year, a rule came into effect that no (traction system) metal could contact the carpet. It's evolved a bit, and in 2014 showed up as R6 and G10 together.

Here is the intent of the rule(s): Do NOT damage the carpet by robot design or by gameplay if you can avoid it. Metal (and the other items listed) can be very damaging to carpet.


Now, Jay, the inspector would certainly pass you. There's no part of that rule (R6) specifically prohibiting hook-side Velcro. That's a correct ruling. The referees probably should not have under G10D. And that's because Velcro doth most definitely attach to cloth/looped stuff/other items of that nature (including carpet). It's Velcro. That's what it does. The field is held down by industrial-strength Velcro--if you've ever been around for field setup or teardown, the fields come with HDPE sheets for moving items around on the carpet without getting the Velcro to attach (or for sliding in to get the Velcro detached!). And it's always fun getting the side rails down, something on the order of "OK, everybody pull!" with a large group standing next to the rail.



If any team were to use Velcro on their wheels to increase traction, I would have the following recommendation: Q&A as soon as you decide to do that. Then... if it's a definite "no", take the Velcro off. If it's a definite "yes", bring a copy of the Q&A with you just in case somebody says something. If it's a "We cannot comment" or similar, print it out, grab the LRI and Head Referee and a spot on the practice field as soon as possible on Thursday, and ask them, demonstrating the use of said wheels on carpet. That way, you know early, and they're aware in case someone else complains later that it's illegal (and they can say "We already checked, they're OK, we'll pass that concern on for next year").
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2003-2007: FRC0330 BeachBots
2008: FRC1135 Shmoebotics
2012: FRC4046 Schroedinger's Dragons

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