Bumper Inspection Discrepency

[sdcantrell56]

Originally Posted by Mike Betts

For the reasons noted (Figure 8-4) and my previous position on the matter (see my December post) and the GDC's position that a one piece bumper is OK, I directed my team to miter the wood corners as well.

At Florida, our LRI cited <R07-D> and wood in the corner was prohibited.

I blame myself rather than the system. I should have posted to the GDC on this issue. Sometimes you think you are right and don't bother to ask...

Oh well...

The problem is that the GDC has not officially ruled on this and it was just up to there discretion once we got to our second regional to say that we were illegal even though there was no performance gain or anything from our system. Functionally our bumper is 100% identical to similar bumpers constructed with angle aluminum in the corners.

[Andrew Y.]

My biggest concern with the ruling was less with the rule itself but more with what was allowed. We had inspectors come into our pits even before we began the inspection phase and began looking at our robot and bumpers. From listening to the conversation...most of the inspectors seemed to think the bumpers were fine but ONE inspector decided they wern't and had FIRST headquarters called and thats when we got the news that the bumpers were in fact illegal. So we argues and showed R07L but it was still deemed illegal by FIRST headquarts. So whatever....we fixed the bumpers and were on our way.


What REALLY annoyed the living crap out of me was seeing teams with dragging bumpers...HUGE V gaps in all corners, no team numbers, fabric that was hanging off, and viptied to the frame of their robots. When i brought this issue up with the inspectors i was told "we needed to get teams out there and passed inspection so we let it slide" WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?! so a team that is prepared is more likely to be scrutinized than teams that didnt?

what i learned from this....inspect late...better chance they will let you slide.

[BJT]

We were the first team inspected at lake superior and they went over our 'bot like they were inspecting a nuclear reactor, but that is fine with me, we are a veteran team and should know the rules. Every year there are a half dozen teams at each regional that make me feel real sympathy for the inspectors. Just looking at their 'bots, you can tell the issues to getting them passed are huge. I think we veterans have to either help them get passed or look the other way when they slide through. Hopefully they learn something and figure it out by next year.

[Andrew Y.]

Originally Posted by BJT

We were the first team inspected at lake superior and they went over our 'bot like they were inspecting a nuclear reactor, but that is fine with me, we are a veteran team and should know the rules. Every year there are a half dozen teams at each regional that make me feel real sympathy for the inspectors. Just looking at their 'bots, you can tell the issues to getting them passed are huge. I think we veterans have to either help them get passed or look the other way when they slide through. Hopefully they learn something and figure it out by next year.

I agree taht veteren teams should help in all ways possible, but i dont think "looking the other way" sends the right message. It says that a lesser robot should get sympathy and should be allowed to break the rules. Many of the same issues that are goign on in our government policies....but before i get political..ill stop before ...

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by Andrew Y.

I agree taht veteren teams should help in all ways possible, but i dont think "looking the other way" sends the right message. It says that a lesser robot should get sympathy and should be allowed to break the rules.

You should ask FIRST, just as a general inquiry and without pointing any fingers at officials or teams, what they're doing about rules that are perennially difficult to fully comply with. I wonder whether the GDC has established a plan to improve upon those rules for the future.

Originally Posted by Andrew Y.

Many of the same issues that are goign on in our government policies....but before i get political..ill stop before ...

I'm curious about this statement; the Chit-Chat forum is always available for these sorts of things....

[jtdowney]

Originally Posted by BJT

We were the first team inspected at lake superior and they went over our 'bot like they were inspecting a nuclear reactor, but that is fine with me, we are a veteran team and should know the rules.

At a lot of events the first robot to be inspected is used as hands-on training/refresher for the inspectors by the lead inspector (LRI). I wouldn't take any offense from it.

[Paul Copioli]

With regard to the 1 piece bumper, it is pretty clear to me they are legal in general, but can't have any wood sticking out past the corner thus making yours illegal. I have attached a view of our bumpers to show what I mean.

In addition, the attachment also has a view of the metal frame we made to be legal and have a one piece bumper. Note that we do not show the pool noodles in the diagram but is is obvious where they should go.


Credit has to go to team 118 for the idea. They had a one piece bumper last year and at the 2010 Lone Star Regional they were kind enough to show me how they did it. I knew right then that it was the ONLY way to make bumpers. Our pit crew and drive team are very thankful that team 118 asked that clarification last year and showed us their design.