Line Sensors: Gaffers Tape versus Carpet Reflectivity

[daneelshof]

Today, we got our shipment of gaffers tape in to test our line sensors.

A couple days ago, we had our line sensors and software working like a dream. However, we used duct tape as a stand-in until the proper tape was received.

No matter the height of the sensor or the adjustment of the gain, we could not get any differentiation between the gaffers tape and the carpet.

Unfortunately, we ordered the gaffers tape before FIRST added the specific brand of tape they use. We have Uline 2" Grey Gaffers tape instead of Pro Gaff. Also, our carpet is similar, but not identical to FIRST's specification (it's standard-issue school carpet.) I'm speculating the reflectivity is the same without the carpet and tape being identical to spec.

Any insight? Has anyone got the sensors working with gaffers tape and carpet?

P.S. The sensors gain adjustment is very delicate and we have broken one sensor already!

[Andrew Rudolph]

We have the spec tape on the field carpet and out of the box the sensors were able to see the difference between the carpet and tape.

Is the Uline gaff tape shiny? The ProGaff has a flat finish its a cloth tape that's more finely woven than duct tape.

[daneelshof]

As it turns out, the tape we bought is actually the ProGaff specified by FIRST. So we may be having a problem with our carpet not being the same as the FIRST spec. I'll try some different carpet combinations and report back (we are trying to avoid buying a roll of spec carpet ^_^)

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by daneelshof

As it turns out, the tape we bought is actually the ProGaff specified by FIRST. So we may be having a problem with our carpet not being the same as the FIRST spec. I'll try some different carpet combinations and report back (we are trying to avoid buying a roll of spec carpet ^_^)

You might not need to buy a roll of carpet.

Contact a local carpet place that sells the correct brand and see if you can get a remnant that is about 6' Wide and 8'-10' long. That should be more than enough for line tracker testing, but should still be pretty cheap.