Bumper Designs

[FrankJ]

I think the big problem with bumpers is waiting to the last minute & giving them no design consideration. Everybody wants to work on the cool stuff. So here is a cook book from painless bumper design.

1) Read and understand the rules about frame perimeter, bumper zone & bumper construction. Don't try to force your interpretation of the rules. The robot inspector will win this one & you will be graciously rebuilding your bumpers.
2) Decide how you are going to change colors quickly. If it is changing bumpers then then the attachment points need to be designed for quick change. Lots of other threads on this. If you are using a slip covers, how you are attaching the alternate cover needs to be thought out.
3) Gather the material. You should have the noodles now. No reason not to have bumper backing & covers the first week of build. You even put your team number on the covers before you know the exacts dimension of the robot.
4) When the frame is built, go ahead and build the bumpers. Two solid attachment points per bumper will hold up to anything First can dish out.