Thread: Velcro tread
View Single Post
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-09-2014, 12:30
Jon Stratis's Avatar
Jon Stratis Jon Stratis is online now
Electrical/Programming Mentor
FRC #2177 (The Robettes)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 3,736
Jon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Velcro tread

Quote:
Originally Posted by EricH View Post
Now, Jay, the inspector would certainly pass you.
I wouldn't be so certain of that. As an LRI, i would have serious reservations about velcro on the drive train, and what it could do to the carpet. As you pointed out in your excellent history/background around the rule, the intent is to avoid damaging the carpet, and I would strongly suspect that velcro in a drive train could cause some significant damage to the carpet over the course of the day. Just think of situations like a pushing match... will the velcro let go and allow the wheels to free spin on the carpet, or would the motors stall? Does the answer depend on the number of CIMs in the drive train, and high vs low gear? How would scrub from the wheels when the robot turns affect the carpet?

Personally, if a robot showed up with velcro on the wheels, I would probably grab the FTA and head ref and get their opinions - they're the ones who would have to deal with the consequences should the velcro cause issues on the field. I don't think the ruling on this is as obvious or certain as you may think. Definitely one for the Q&A if you're thinking of using it!
__________________
2007 - Present: Mentor, 2177 The Robettes
LRI: North Star 2012-2016; Lake Superior 2013-2014; MN State Tournament 2013-2014, 2016; Galileo 2016; Iowa 2017
2015: North Star Regional Volunteer of the Year
2016: Lake Superior WFFA