Thread: <R34> and Metal on Carpet
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Unread 06-02-2007, 09:13
Ben Piecuch Ben Piecuch is offline
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Team Role: Engineer
  
Join Date: Jun 2001
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Providence, RI
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<R34> and Metal on Carpet
Now that we're seeing a LOT of teams posting their ramp designs, I'm a bit concerned about <R34> and how it applies to anything that touches the carpet. For those of you not familiar with the rule, it states that any device which is intended to provide traction for the robot, may not damage the carpet or other playing surfaces. Specifically, it prohibits the use of metal, sandpaper, and velcro.

A ramp does not necessarily have to provide traction for the robot. More than likely, the robots are not going to move once their ramps have been deployed. However, with all the flopping, falling, and crashing down of ramps and gates, I can forsee a LOT of field damage coming from these devices.

Is anyone else concerned about this? Anything from our robot that will come in contact with the field will be covered with plastic, most likely a delrin pad or similar. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing this precaution on many of the other robots posted here.

BEN