I AM IN DIRE NEED OF HELP

[Ianuser]

Hi everyone. I am using a metal sensor for my winch system on my robot. (for a forklift) The motor turns, the rope goes in and the forklift is raised. I want to stop the forklift at certain points (for the 3 levels of the SPIDER). I am doing OK with the code on this and I think it will work. Basically, there will be 4 small pieces of metal tape on the rope at the specific heights for the forklift and when the tape passes the sensor the motor (winch) will stop and do whatever...Anyway, I need to know if it is legal to use the metal tape in this case. I've looked at the rules in 8.3 rule 35 I think, and I think I might be able to argue that Im not using it for its adhesive properties, but for its "reflective" properties. It is not literally reflecting, but the metal detector sensor thingy is DETECTING the metal tape so the tape is technically reflecting to the metal sensor. Either way, I can't post this problem on the USFIRST forum Q AND A because I just signed up on it and I have to finish my robot by friday and they haven't activated my account yet. I was wondering if somebody could do me a HUGE favor and just copy and paste the better part of this message or the whole thing onto that forum and get back to me because I'm getting nervous that I wont be able to figure out a way to stop the forklift if they wont let us use this sensor. It is the easiest thing for me to program and I've never worked with limit switches before. I'm quite new at programming, have little experience at all and I'm the only one on our team of 5 people. I would be so thankful to the kind person who actually posts this on the Q&A forum for me. Yes, I'm on team 570, but really we're all on one BIG Team! Thanks again!

[TubaMorg]

I saw this "metal detector" thing when you posted here:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...metal+detector

So this really works? If so, cool! Is it possible that you attach some other metal (that isn't tape)? Tie wrap some thin metal strips? I'm saying you can change your design slightly to achieve the same result. That way you don't have to worry about violating any rules.

[ChrisMcK2186]

tiewrapping metal pieces on sounds like it might do better, as you have no possible interpretation issues. If you use the tape, it is entirely up to the judges decision.

Chris

[Ianuser]

Thanks you guys. We were thinkin' of doing that, we just figured we might try the metal tape thing cuz it'd be easier to get it on the rope than small wires, etc. Thanks though I appreciate it. That's probabyl what we're going to do!