Minibot

[MetRobotics]

A mentor of ours is suggesting that we should not use heat shrink for any non-electrical (say, mechanical hold down, for example) use on the minibot despite there being no qualification of that sort in the list of approved materials. He is going by what FIRST rules on the main robot in general. What do you think? Is there a definitive statement on this somewhere that I've missed?

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by MetRobotics

A mentor of ours is suggesting that we should not use heat shrink for any non-electrical (say, mechanical hold down, for example) use on the minibot despite there being no qualification of that sort in the list of approved materials. He is going by what FIRST rules on the main robot in general. What do you think? Is there a definitive statement on this somewhere that I've missed?

If you want a definitive answer, ask the official Q&A. In my opinion, you can use heat shrink tubing anywhere on the hostbot and/or minibot for any reason you wish. One of those possible reasons might be to insulate wires...

[Alpha Beta]

Originally Posted by MetRobotics

A mentor of ours is suggesting that we should not use heat shrink for any non-electrical (say, mechanical hold down, for example) use on the minibot despite there being no qualification of that sort in the list of approved materials. He is going by what FIRST rules on the main robot in general. What do you think? Is there a definitive statement on this somewhere that I've missed?

My advice is to not limit yourself by reading between the lines and interpreting what you think they meant. Read the rules as they are printed and as clarified in Q & A. I don't see any rule against using heat shrink tubing for non-electrical applications. Along the same lines cable-ties can be used for more things than just securing cables.

[Darknight1243]

I was wondering whether or not to we can use steel tubing in our minibot to attach our magnets to, as the sec 4 P30 <R92> this dealing with permissible materials on bullet H. it lists, "Raw welding rod, aluminum sheet, 90° angle, u-channel, tube, bar, that is not sold pre-perforated/pre-punched." It is vague and we think we can but confirmation would be nice.

[rutzman]

I think you answered your own question. You said steel, the rule said aluminum. No go.

EDIT:You could, however, use a piece of Tetrix C-channel(I believe it's steel.)

[EricH]

<R92-H> deals with aluminum. This was much clearer in the earlier revisions of the Manual, which read, after TU#4, "<R92-H> Raw aluminum sheet, 90° angle, u-channel, tube, bar, that is not sold in pre-perforated or pre-punched form." (Also note the revision log, which notes that Revision D had a revision to clarify raw aluminum usage.) The placement of the "Welding rod" addition (Rev. G) may have thrown you off a bit.

In other words, nope, find some other way of attaching your magnets.

EDIT: I'm a little bit surprised at whoever does the Updates and associated Manual revisions right now. The current rule, from Rev. K, reads:

H. Raw welding rod, aluminum sheet, 90° angle, u-channel, tube, bar, that is not sold in pre-perforated or pre-punched form.

This hasn't been changed since TU#7. However, TU#7 has the same rule reading

H. Raw aluminum welding rod, sheet, 90° angle, u-channel, tube, bar that is not sold in pre-perforated or pre-punched form.

I'd much appreciate someone bringing that to the GDC's attention; the rule change wasn't the same between the Update and the Manual.