Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug G
This reminds me of our scenario. We are prepared to remove our ramps if we feel someone else in our alliance has a better ramp system. By removing our ramps we drop 20 lbs.
But if we then add a 20 lb ballast, I think it would be breaking the rules. Your robot with ALL configurations cannot weigh more than 120 (4 ft). Otherwise teams would have multiple drive systems, manipulators, etc... which would hardly be fair (fun though..).
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So, is ballast a mechanism? Here is the pertinent rule:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by 2007 FRC Manual
<R10> At weigh-in, the basic ROBOT structure and all elements of all additional mechanisms that might be used in different configurations of the ROBOT must be weighed together. Included in the weight limit are the robot control system, back-up 7.2V battery, decorations, and all other attached parts.
o Example: A team has decided to design their “Class 1” ROBOT such that, before any given match, they may change the configuration of the ROBOT based on perceived strengths or weaknesses of an opposing ROBOT. The team accomplished this by constructing its ROBOT as a basic drive train platform plus two versions of a GAME PIECE manipulator, each manipulator being a quick attach / detach device such that either one or the other (but not both) may be part of the ROBOT at the beginning of a match. Their ROBOT platform weighs 107 lb, version A of the manipulator weighs 6 lb, and version B weighs 8 lb. Although only one version will be on the ROBOT during a match, both manipulators (and all components of the manipulators that would be used during the match) must be on the scale along with the ROBOT platform during weigh in. This would result in a rejection of the ROBOT because its total weight comes to 121 lb.
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I know of one team in 2006 that was permitted to replace their shooter with a gym weight of about the same mass, so they could play defense with maximum effect during the eliminations. I recall the explanation given then was "weight is not a mechanism".
But that was then and this is now. If you have any doubt, please ask the question using the official
Q&A system.
__________________
Richard Wallace
Mentor since 2011 for FRC 3620 Average Joes (St. Joseph, Michigan)
Mentor 2002-10 for FRC 931 Perpetual Chaos (St. Louis, Missouri)
since 2003
I believe in intuition and inspiration. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research.
(Cosmic Religion : With Other Opinions and Aphorisms (1931) by Albert Einstein, p. 97)