Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Swando
It's reasonable to assume that most robots this year with have a higher CG than last year.
|
How do you figger, Dan? This year's robots won't have a heavy shooter up on top. (OK, some robots had their shooter mounted low, but most were high.) I presume whatever ring-handling mechanism you have will be less massive than a shooter, could be folded up into its starting configuration when going up a ramp.
I'm not saying it's a trivial matter. I just think it will be easier this year, as long as you plan ahead. There's heavy stuff you need (battery, drivetrain, [optional] pneumatics) that you can put in your base which can counterbalance your vertical mechanism.
If you're going for a fixed 6-foot design, you would have more tipping issues.
The original poster is correct in considering the approach angle problem (and don't forget the trailing angle as well). Bumpers hang out significantly from your wheelbase - don't forget them in your calculations. I certainly hope we don't see any of the leading-angle-trimmed-off bumpers that some competitions allowed last year. That's not fair to those teams that follow the rules.