Al's Annual Inspection Thread 2013

[JVN]

Originally Posted by Jaxom

Because the rule says: "BUMPERS must be constructed as follows," and then lists a very limited set of very specific things. There's nothing there about "optional metal backing." Also note that the optional metal angle is required to be aluminum.

Actually, they say quite a bit more. Paraphrasing rules can be extremely counter-productive in discusssions like this.

Those playing the home game can check out the full manual here:
http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/viewItem/181
Do a ctrl-F for "4.1.6" and read from there

Check out R24E:

Bumpers must attach to the FRAME PERIMETER of the ROBOT with a rigid fastening system to form a tight, robust connection to the main structure/frame (e.g. not attached with hook-and-loop or tie-wraps). The attachment system must be designed to withstand vigorous game play. All removable fasteners (e.g. bolts, locking pins, pip-pins, etc.) will be considered part of the BUMPERS.

This rigid fastening system which is openly listed as a legal part of the bumper is not defined, anywhere. Nowhere. Not anywhere.

So it seems to me that as long as this fastening system fulfills all the other rules regarding bumper construction (the big ones being overall weight, and protrusion distance beyond the robot frame) then teams are allowed to do quite a bit creatively.

If you think back a few years, this fastening system was much more defined. The GDC (I believe) intentionally opened up the rules a bit, not only to make the rules simpler, but also to allow teams more room to do whatever attachment methods they want.

As long as the bumpers weigh less than 20 lbs, are rigid enough to survive competition, follow the construction rules which heavily define the outside face of the bumpers and don't have attachment (hard) parts that stick out too far -- does it matter what the construction is?

-John