[Ari Allyn-Feuer]

753 is building a ramp this year, to complememt our forklift and track drive.

We're using 38'' square sheets of carbon fiber we had donated by a local aircraft body firm, cast in resin with a paper laminate in the middle. They weigh 3.6 pounds each, which fact was a nice surprise to us. Obviously this is not easy to get on short notice, so you'll have to go some other way. Maybe metal mesh; lots of teams are using that kind of stuff.

As far as extending them, we have them hinged along the top left and right parts of the frame. They both flip down when a pneumatic piston in the frame levers them out and slides a restraining pin out of its holder. Pictures soon.

One of the two pieces has footlong feet at the corners to hold it up as a flat piece, and the other drops to the ground to function as a ramp. The ramp angle will be about 17 degrees, which is much shallower than the ramp for last year. Plus it'll have jar gripper rather than diamond plate.

I hope this helps. I really enjoyed seeing your '06 bot last year, and I hope we can see something good from you this time around.

Ari.