we have a send home device made of sections of linked 1' square tubular aluminum sections which pull out 30 feet. It has been thoroughly tested and it works like a dream, reliably. This "arm", while it runs on small wheels along the floor, is fairly rigid and should be high enough above the carpet not to be considered an entanglement. As described below- it is flimsy, as any arm 30 ft long deploying from a 3 ft box would be!. It is also easily changeable between rounds and others have been made to replace it should a rambunctious opponent get malicious.
In FRC Engineer update 144 I quote- "A telescoping arm, given sufficient lack of sharp features etc, would likely not present entanglement but might prove flimsy and unreliable. The ultimate determination of what presents a risk of entanglement is made by inspectors at each event"
To me it sounds like the INSPECTORS who clear the robot for competition will not let it enter the field if it is deemed an entanglement. It also sounds like there will be a great deal of inconsistency from regional to regional. At the NH kickoff Kamen offered "Kamen points" for a robot which could score in both end zones. We can do that easily
If there is a disqualification for us we do have an alternative device to replace the arm. But quite frankly it will make us play another strategy which I am CERTAIN our opponents will not like.
I would like to know whether all these judges at the pregame events we've been hearing about are actually FIRST certified inspectors and are totally familiar with all the fine points the FRC engineers gave us during the season?
Should they be used? Certainly!! Unless you have another way to simultaneously control two goals on the field and get the additional 10 pts.
My $.04 worth
WC
