Robot Size

[RenanTroia]

Does anyone know If there's something in the rules that specify the diameter size of some mechanism that stays outside of the chassi's area? Like how much a robot arm, for example, can pass the size of the robot's base.

[nxtmonkeys]

As for size, you only need to really worry about the "travel size" as the robot can be as big as you want it to be while on the field.

[cglrcng]

Originally Posted by nxtmonkeys

As for size, you only need to really worry about the "travel size" as the robot can be as big as you want it to be while on the field.

Well...The Robot is fully finished (Below is the 2015 Robot reveal link)...We went for a KILLER Bee 12 WD Mecanum driven, "FORKLIFT STYLE" to play "Recycle Rush" this year. She's a monster too. Too bad there is no Defensive pushing contests this year.....

Now, we just need to figure out how to get that Mecanum MONSTER (They did say any size, once on the field right?), into the proper transport size dimensions (maybe a "Flop Bot", ya think? ).....That is an engineering nightmare, and we still have a wee bit of work to do on that part yet! So, I'm glad there's still more than 5 weeks left in build season.

We are fairly large in match ready configuration, so there is not too much room left for our Alliance partners....We hope they won't mind sharing the field too much. (They could still both feed from the hole in the Landfill area, ummm, I think).

Notice that top plate can dance?...So, we should be able to pack those Totes on the scoring platforms pretty tight. We are shopping for Alliance partners already who just wish to make Tote feeder bots for us. We'll stack em', rack em', an' pack em'...You just need to feed em' to us.

Anyone Interested in being our alliance partners? Please watch the reveal video and get back to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeVghhvw9dQ

Anyone have the link so we can submit our "2015 Recycle Rush" robot reveal video for the Top 50 show?

LOL. Trying to get Robot Set points in Auto might be a wee bit difficult also....We'll work on that a bit too. Last thing our MONSTER will worry about is getting through the gate....We have the power. Ok...it must be a Flop bot now.

Ok, we may just tone it down a bit to give other alliance partners a break. (And a bit more room). But those scoring platforms won't be bothering us one bit...I don't care how slick they may be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAiwLRGsNrE

I'll never complain about the 4"~10" Mercanum wheel kit costs again. EVER!

[cglrcng]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nWFA8wv0-I

Someone has certainly been watching too many FIRST FRC Competitions...Another big machine that gets fancy w/ driving mecanums. And it can line follow (FIRST Lego League)...Right up w/ Strafing with the best of em' in FRC. Well, their Drivetrain is complete, I can't wait until their mechanisms are on to see what it can do. At least they are getting driver practice before build season is too far underway. Who ever said you need to go fast and win a pushing match...Sometimes the winning a pushing match is all that is really needed.

[npalachuk]

we have a robot that measures 31 x 34. Are we too big?
I know the rule says 28 x 42 but we assumed the was the basic measurement that could be adjusted as long as we are within the 140 in perimeter.
Can someone tell me if we are ok or not?

Neil Palachuk
360-255-1600
npalachuk@everettsd.org

[ATannahill]

Originally Posted by npalachuk

we have a robot that measures 31 x 34. Are we too big?
I know the rule says 28 x 42 but we assumed the was the basic measurement that could be adjusted as long as we are within the 140 in perimeter.
Can someone tell me if we are ok or not?

Neil Palachuk
360-255-1600
npalachuk@everettsd.org

There is no size limit on the field this year. Between the field and your pit you must be able to fit within 28" by 42" by 78". That means you need to be able to collapse your robot to be legal.

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by npalachuk

we have a robot that measures 31 x 34. Are we too big?
I know the rule says 28 x 42 but we assumed the was the basic measurement that could be adjusted as long as we are within the 140 in perimeter.
Can someone tell me if we are ok or not?

The 112 in perimeter was only a rule in 2013 and 2014. For 2015 and years before 2013, it was a bounding box. So you must be able to orient your robot to fit into the Transport Configuration while not on the field.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by npalachuk

we have a robot that measures 31 x 34. Are we too big?

Originally Posted by rtfgnow

There is no size limit on the field this year. Between the field and your pit you must be able to fit within 28" by 42" by 78". That means you need to be able to collapse your robot to be legal.

If it's under 28" tall (not likely, but just in case), you can transport your robot on its side so that it is 31" or 34" tall. Especially at the eleventh hour, think outside the box to figure out how to get inside it. If you think it can be done but you don't quite see how, post a pic or two and maybe someone will suggest something.

[Pratik Kunapuli]

There is no rule that dictates how large any extension can be or how large your robot may be on the field excluding a height limit of 78 inches tall. That being said, while in transport, there is a specified volume that the robot must fit within as per R3:

The ROBOT must satisfy the following size constraints:
A. during a MATCH, the ROBOT height may not exceed 78 in.
B. the ROBOT must be able to be arranged into a TRANSPORT CONFIGURATION with dimensions which do not exceed 28
in. wide, 42 in. long, and 78 in. tall.

You have up to one minute to set up your robot on the field before a match. All of these points should be considered when designing your robot, and specifically the extensions beyond the frame perimeter and how the robot will fit into the transport configuration.

[Bruceb]

We have been having a discussion on the topic of robot set up and transport configuration.
I feel you cannot change from transport to playing config until you are on the field while another mentor thinks you can change while in queue.

[Pratik Kunapuli]

Originally Posted by Bruceb

We have been having a discussion on the topic of robot set up and transport configuration.
I feel you cannot change from transport to playing config until you are on the field while another mentor thinks you can change while in queue.

The way the manual reads, it says that you have up to one minute to get your robot ready on the field, but anything beyond one minute will result in a "delay of game". I doubt that you will be able to build your robot in queue, as some robots may be extremely large and then putting it on the field would be an issue. G10 states "DRIVE TEAMS are expected to stage their ROBOTS for a MATCH safely and swiftly. As a guideline, ROBOTS should be configurable in fewer than sixty (60) seconds."

[rjmah]

Originally Posted by Bruceb

We have been having a discussion on the topic of robot set up and transport configuration.
I feel you cannot change from transport to playing config until you are on the field while another mentor thinks you can change while in queue.

I believe the rule is only assembled once on the field. I'm sure the intent is to not have cumbersome and potentially unsafe configurations being pushed/lifted through the field access gates.

[nixiebunny]

Transportation sounds like it is intended to mean transporting the robot from the pits to the field as well as from your build space to the pits.

Best to err on the side of caution, rather than assume that you won't get in trouble for your liberal interpretation of the rules.

[GaryVoshol]

T6 While transferring the ROBOT throughout the event (e.g. between the Team’s Pit, Practice Field, ARENA, Inspection Station, etc.), the ROBOT must not exceed a volume that is 28 in. wide x 42 in. long x 78 in. tall (the TRANSPORT CONFIGURATION).

While it doesn't specifically list to/from the field or queue line, it does state throughout the event. I think you need to be in TRANSPORT CONFIGURATION while entering or exiting the field.

That interpretation also validates the reason for having this final item in the blue box for G10:

F. prolonged assembly/disassembly of a ROBOT to transform it from its TRANSPORT CONFIGURATION

[Bruceb]

I agree with this assessment. I am just trying to build a case to convince my fellow mentor.
I opened a Q and A on this.
Thanks