Bumper Numbers?

[Phyrxes]

Last year we asked our sponsor that does vinyl cut letters to switch to a different font to make ensure that our 4 digit number fit on the minimum bumper segment without looking "squished."
Uniform font use is something we strive for across our documentation but when it would have impaired the ability of spectators to read our bumpers we made an exception.

[jvriezen]

Last year, because we needed our number on a minimal bumper length, I went to www.fontstruct.com and built a simple font that when scaled to the right point size will be exactly 4" high and .75 stroke width, but with narrow enough digits to fit nicely on a 2012 minimal bumper length (assuming the short bumper extends to the outside edge of the bumper corner)

See http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2630?

We printed this and handed it to a screen printer business that did all the bumpers (8 x 4digits) for about $50 I think. Best bumper numbers we've ever produced.

[topgun]

I have officially hated bumpers since our first season (we are a fifth year team). And it really isn't the bumpers per se but the mounting of the bumpers that I hate.

Anyway, bumper materials, colors and the numbers are something that should be inconsequential and rote purchases for the robot. We have always used Duck Canvas (Royal Blue and Red) purchased from pretty much any local fabric store. Duck Canvas is tough yet workable. Both colors closely match FIRST's colors and are nice vivid colors. We take them to the school's screen printer (any screen printer can do it) and have them put bright white letters that conform to the rules centered on each piece of the bumper. This has worked well for us for four years.

Our best bumpers were last year when we use the reversible bumpers. They are so wonderful and so quick to change that it just reduces the stress of quick changes for everyone.

Mounting the bumpers in a secure manner is always our challenge.

My recommendation is to not make the bumper colors, material and numbers something you are going to be stressing out about at the competitions. Keep them simple. Promote your team image on the robot itself, not the bumpers.

[ferret_guy]

how did you do the reversible? with Velcro?

[ttldomination]

Originally Posted by ferret_guy

how did you do the reversible? with Velcro?

Think of the bumper material as a capital T so (T). Now, image that the top of the T is attached to your robot. The bottom of the T can either velcro up or down, and that's how you swap colors.

In my experience, teams thats opt to use one set of bumbers but then change the materials often end up with a set of bumpers that aesthetically sub-par.

- Sunny G.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

but with narrow enough digits to fit nicely on a 2012 minimal bumper length

For some odd reason, team 11 did not have that problem last year.

Originally Posted by topgun

And it really isn't the bumpers per se but the mounting of the bumpers that I hate.

Oooh! A problem in need of a solution! Maybe some robot kids can figure out something better???

Bottom line is: don't get fancy with the numbers. Stick to plain and simple for best results.

[Littleboy]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

For some odd reason, team 11 did not have that problem last year.

Neither did Juggernauts.

When deciding fonts, use the easiest to read. Wouldn't you hate it if I gave someone credit for you work. It could make your team look bad.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by ferret_guy

how did you do the reversible? with Velcro?

Correct our team has used reversible bumpers for two seasons. You can check out a picture of them here. http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/38203

Like sunny said that seam going down the middle is where the bumper flips and the two pieces are one. We have velcro on the top and bottom to keep our bumpers up. Don't try to save money by buying cheap velcro go the extra mile and use the industrial strength so it can hold up to competition!

It takes some extra work to make them look good. Our team has had a seamstress sew the fabric and velcro the past two seasons and they have turned out great! As long as you keep the fabric night and tight the numbers look clean.

[ksafin]

Originally Posted by LedLover96

Yes, they make VERY good demos.

See:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/38135

So...Beautiful...

May sound dumb, but what do you actually call that white cable-carrying "tubing"?

[topgun]

The link to Team 2809's tutorial on reversible bumpers.
http://kbots.files.wordpress.com/201...ble-bumper.pdf

We could literally change colors in 10 seconds. The reduction in stress among the students and mentors in changing colors between matches was dramatic compared to previous years. Also, you don't have the second set of bumpers taking up space. We have left the bumpers on the robot all year and never worry about them getting lost or pins lost.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by ksafin

May sound dumb, but what do you actually call that white cable-carrying "tubing"?

Braided Expandable Sleeving, Expandable Sleeving, Braided Sleeve, or Expandable Sleeve are common terms that googling will lead to what you want. You'll more commonly find it in black.

Here is one choice. http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/NNSRIT...eywordless+Ads