Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur
1> Arms are specifically not allowed to be used to block, so arm-to-arm interference is not allowed.
2> contact (even hard contact) with an arm that is outside the bumperzone is legal. Arms that exceed the bumperzone (IE most arms) must be built for vigorous action.
3> Ramming and pushing are allowed within reason. Highspeed ramming is not allowed. I saw many 10-point penalties assessed for high speed ramming at BAE GSR. The refs are definately not 'ignoring' this rule. To show the forces involved, we never high-speed rammed anyone while at BAE but we did break our 'FIRST approved' front bumper ..... twice.
4> Many arms survived the rigors of a regional with little damage. When I walked the pits at BAE GSR one of the things I looked for was the robustness and flexability of the arms that were being used, because I knew they would be seeing forces that they were not designed for. For the most part, I was able to pick out the arms that would not survive the weekend.
5> Intentionally breaking another robots arm is grounds for disqualification. Rigorous defense that unintentionally breaks a robots arm is within the rules.
As always, the above is JMHO.
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I don't think you saw much of the Detroit Regional. The defense was absolutely the most vicious I've seen so far (watched the others on-line). Our robot (1718) had done quite well up to the elimination rounds. We hadn't had to replace many parts or do a ton of "fixit" work on the robot.
That all changed. We generally had at least 1 robot if not 2 playing D on us. On several different occasions we ended up with robots on top of us because they would accelerate toward us, pop a wheelie, then come down on top of us. We were lucky that we had decent guarding, but it still smashed one of our air solenoids.
On numerous other occasions we had our gripper mangled. We were pushed into the wall by a robot from behind repeatedly (same robot). Our air cylinder that actuated the gripper had the tangs bent closed so we had trouble getting it on and off. Our lower gripper fingers were bent upwards. A deep dent was put into mast when someone poppped a wheelie and nailed us from behind.
I can't count the number of times we got slammed into the rack while scoring, got caught up in the rack because we were pushed, or engaged in fencing matches with other bots arms.
That's why we added a second motor to the arm, lexan guarding on everything, and a gearbox on the wrist. I expected it to be brutal. It one was great competition, and I can't fault anyone there for playing hard and doing a great job.