R08 Clarification

[Andy L]

A.
BUMPERS must be built in segments, with a minimum length of six inches, and a maximum length that does not exceed the maximum horizontal dimension of the ROBOT.

Just for everyone trying to help, in the top right picture of page 10 of the robot manual, the bottom left bumper is one continuous piece curved around the corner.

Would the six inch minimum length be the entire bumper, so like 3 on one side 3 on the other, or 6 inches in each direction, so like 6 on one side 6 on the other? I'll probably post to Q&A, just checking CD's opinion

[Vikesrock]

My opinion is that the total length of the curved bumper (the length if you flattened it out) must be 6 inches.

[GaryVoshol]

My opinion is the exact opposite. The plywood cannot go around the corner. Bumper segments are defined to be 6" minimum, and bumper segments must be backed with plywood. The noodle going around the corner is extra.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Any bumper that is segmented to fit your robot design must have a minimum segment length of six inches. "so like 3 on one side 3 on the other" does not fit the rule. The smallest segment in the referenced drawing is 6" and the section that appears to wrap around the corner consists of two backing boards, each longer than 6" with a continuous poll noodle and covering.

[Elgin Clock]

Shall we take a look at Team 148's bumper set-up from last year, & the rules regarding bumpers that pertained to it for reference?

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/30600

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Shall we take a look at Team 148's bumper set-up from last year, & the rules regarding bumpers that pertained to it for reference?

(thank you for the opportunity to recite the annual refrain...)

That would be a pretty silly thing to do, since (once again) RULES FROM PRIOR FRC GAMES DO NOT APPLY TO THIS YEAR.

If you have a question about the interpretation of the 2009 bumper rules, and if you are unable to discern the correct answer after an honest attempt to find it in The Manual, then I would recommend submitting a question to the official FIRST Q&A system after it opens up tomorrow afternoon.

-dave



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[Robert Cawthon]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

My opinion is the exact opposite. The plywood cannot go around the corner. Bumper segments are defined to be 6" minimum, and bumper segments must be backed with plywood. The noodle going around the corner is extra.

What if you took the plywood, wet it and let it dry in the curved form? Then it would be a single piece, not segmented. What would that do to the length requirement?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Robert Cawthon

What if you took the plywood, wet it and let it dry in the curved form? Then it would be a single piece, not segmented. What would that do to the length requirement?

I am afraid 3/4" plywood doesn't take a bend very well even when wet.

[GaryVoshol]

And the wood is not allowed to extend past the corner of the frame.

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

And the wood is not allowed to extend past the corner of the frame.

Where did you find this? The only part I see is <R08>N which says the "Hard" part may extend a maximum of one inch from the BUMPER PERIMETER. I don't see anything about corners.

Edit: Happy Birthday!

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

And the wood is not allowed to extend past the corner of the frame.

Originally Posted by Taylor

Where did you find this? The only part I see is <R08>N which says the "Hard" part may extend a maximum of one inch from the BUMPER PERIMETER. I don't see anything about corners.

Try the next paragraph.

Originally Posted by <R08>O

The BUMPER backing must not extend beyond the “edge” of the ROBOT. The backing of adjacent BUMPER segments must not attach to each other if the attachment would require that the joint extend into the corner (see Figure 8 – 4).