Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctorwho
As seen in last weekend's regional competitions the electro-static discharge caused by the rover wheels and the floor can fry speed controllers, driver stations, and even knock the field systems out of whack.
|
I'm aware of many Driver Station issues, ESD sensitivity among them, and I hope appropriate corrective measures can be determined before too many weeks of competition go on.
Where have you seen reports of ESD frying speed controllers?
The data logs from the field electronics don't seem to show anything specifically ESD-related, with the understandable exception of a missing ground connection causing issues until reconnected.
Quote:
Originally Posted by EricH
How about grounding the airlocks? Teams can't do that, but if FIRST figures out how to do it, then the issue won't exist anymore. At least, not as much.
|
Grounding them wouldn't seem to be as useful as
insulating them. Simply taping over the airlock metal to attenuate the spark when a robot bumps into it ought to be a good solution.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctorwho
I don't know how much it would affect traction, or if it would at all as the spray's viscosity is almost the same as water and it dries without leaving any sort of residue or film on the rover wheel plastic.
|
If it leaves no residue, it can't really affect
anything, including static electricity. Obviously it must be leaving something behind.
Quote:
|
As I said in my first post you could also spray it on the more sensitive parts of your electronics and control board to reduce the likelihood of releasing the magic smoke.
|
That's not how it works. You can't just apply a magic static-insensitivity solution to electronic components. What the spray does is reduce the ability of exposed surfaces to accumulate electrons and charge the system up to voltage levels where ESD is a problem. It doesn't work in many situations, though.[/quote]