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Originally Posted by WebWader125
I'd be interested in some quick comments on your team's thoughts on including bumpers. While the extra weight can help make the bot a bit heftier, some on our team are concerned that they will decrease top speed significantly.
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Generally speaking, a little extra weight won't affect your top speed, which is influenced more by the power of your drive system and friction. These 'bots don't go fast enough to influenced by air resistance. Where weight can really hurt is in acceleration and energy efficiency. A robot that weighs an extra 10-12 pounds will go just as fast, it will just accelerate slightly slower and use up more energy from the battery. Given all that, increasing the weight of your 'bot by 8-10%
probably won't have a noticeable real-world effect.
The bumpers will provide real protection to your wheels and chassis.
The bumpers will reduce your maximum approach angle. This
Website on off-road vehicle terminology explains approach angle and several other terms that will come in handy to if you are building a ramp climber. Here are a few key items from this site:
# Approach Angle: This is the angle at which an obstacle may be approached before the vehicle will touch it. The mounting of Nudge Bars or similar fittings can impair this angle. It is also known as the attack angle.
# Departure Angle: This is the angle at which you can leave an obstacle. It can also be hindered by the fitting of bumpers, tow bars etc.
# Ramp Angle: This is the most difficult angle to explain. It is the angle of an obstacle that will clear under the belly of the vehicle.
# Roll Over Angle: This is self-explanatory and is the side angle that the vehicle will tilt over, before rolling.