Plexiglass

[Archon]

If we are to have a compitition we are lacking plexiglass for the side walls of our ramp. Is anyone out there willing to let us borrow some? We'll pay shipping.

[odin892]

why can't you just use wood? on our ramp we used to practice we just used plywood and painted it black so it wouldn't look too bad.

[Gadget470]

They are planning on having a competition, not just practice. I don't think any spectators want to look at wood siding when trying to see how many robots are on the ramp.

[Don Knight]

Originally posted by Archon
If we are to have a compitition we are lacking plexiglass for the side walls of our ramp. Is anyone out there willing to let us borrow some? We'll pay shipping.

It is my understanding that FIRST will rent its playing fields to teams wishing to host after season events. Contact Tammy at FIRST for more information. Maybe you can get the whole field fairly reasonable.

[Hinkel Y.]

We used a few cubicle wall... Doesn't seem much, but it does the trick!

[Travis Covington]

Also, make sure to get POLYCARBONATE or LEXAN and not plexiglass.

Plexiglass will shatter or crack with any significant amount of impact. Polycarbonate on the other hand is designed with safety in mind, and is alot more impact resistant.

The FIRST fields used polycarbonate.

[Matt Starkey]

I am not sure what the conditions of field usage are for FIRST this year (2003), but in the past, FIRST has allowed any team who wants to borrow a complete field to do so, FREE of charge (minus the carpet). There have been a couple of conditions. The field has to be insured, but usually a corporate sponsor can pick this up in their vast insurance dealings. Also, as the field is quite large and heavy, professional shipping methods are required (i.e. you and a couple buddies can't run up to New Hampshire with a couple of pick ups and a Honda Civic with a roof rack to pick up the field).

It is an excellent idea to talk to Tammy to see what this years conditions are and what pieces are included. Talk to her early as there are only limited numbers of fields and they are reserved on a first come first served basis.

Good luck, and if you have any questions let me know. We have been borrowing the FIRST field for 5 years for Bash@theBeach

Matt