2014 Game Ball Damage

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by jee7s

While building a replica of one of the Robot in Three Days pickup mechanisms, our team popped our game ball. Now, I wasn't there to witness it, but I did see the aftermath. Our students were using the same wheels as the Ri3d example (AndyMark white plastic treaded wheels am-0940 or similar) and they say they were spinning them a little too fast. Based on what I saw, the edge of the treaded wheel caught the fabric and tore it, then it tore through the ball. It wasn't a huge hole, maybe 3/4" or so. But any hole deflates the ball, right?.

This happened to us yesterday too, in a very similar situation . Off to the nearby hardware shop to pickup a bicycle wheel repair kit while waiting for our order of additional balls to arrive!

[coalhot]

I have a feeling that ball damage is why many 2008 teams used rollers (see: Bomb Squad)

As long as you don't tear through the fabric, you should be fine. At least that's what it seems...

[JohnSchneider]

I feel like non-smooth wheels like that would be more apt to tear the ball up, because of the constant change in surface and "snagging" of the balls fabric (magnified by a faster RPM).

[Dan Richardson]

We used the 6" white tread wheels from AM (previous kit wheels) on the outside and 4" kit wheels in the center. We compressed the ball pretty heavily (5-6"?) in testing tho settled in at much less 2-4". We fortunately never popped the ball and we abused it. During testing we approached the ball from many angles and optimized the compression on the ball via the Modulox channel.

As an idea for speed we were using the PG-27 with a 1:1 chain reduction. It was driven at roughly full power in an on/off state. I don't believe there was any coded ramp function.

It sounds like we may have been lucky, but the ball held up well in our testing. The wheels may also have some sharper edges leftover from manufacturing. It may be worth while to radius the edge via sand paper or a file. Also do everything you can to make sure no sharp metal edges are in the vacinity of the ball.

[Tom Line]

Ball damage was a problem in 2008. Field personnel came around to the pits of robots who had been observed damaging balls with pickups or other mechanisms and warned the teams that they would not be allowed to return to the field until an inspector had verified that they corrected the issue that was causing the damage. In many cases that equated to slowing down the roller on their intake.

[discobrisco]

We have also had ball damage, thanks to USPS have no backups, so we have made beautiful repairs with duct tape. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw9...it?usp=sharing

[JeremyLansing]

We had a similar issue where the ball was punctured during our shooter test. For anyone else who has a popped ball and is waiting for AndyMark to get more in stock, we put a normal exercise ball in the cover as a temporary measure. Its 2.6lbs and is 25" in diameter. It has more give than the standard game piece, but has worked pretty well as a temporary stand in so far. Given how easily our ball burst, I wouldn't be surprised to see a graveyard of popped balls at the competitions.

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by JeremyLansing

For anyone else who has a popped ball and is waiting for AndyMark to get more in stock, we put a normal exercise ball in the cover as a temporary measure.

Instead of waiting for AndyMark to get them from Sportogo and then buy them from AndyMark, why not just buy them straight from Sportogo? They don't have any with the official FIRST logo on them, but you can get a same size/weight ball with a tennis ball/magic 8 ball/etc. cover instead, and they are cheaper that way. Or, if you already ordered some extra balls from AndyMark and those popped, you can keep the cover and just order new bladders from Sportogo.

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Hallry

Instead of waiting for AndyMark to get them from Sportogo and then buy them from AndyMark, why not just buy them straight from Sportogo? They don't have any with the official FIRST logo on them, but you can get a same size/weight ball with a tennis ball/magic 8 ball/etc. cover instead, and they are cheaper that way. Or, if you already ordered some extra balls from AndyMark and those popped, you can keep the cover and just order new bladders from Sportogo.

After looking at that site, I really want to see one of those 8' or larger balls as a game piece. Not really sure how scoring would work, but I'd imagine the robots would be tanks.

[BBray_T1296]

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

After looking at that site, I really want to see one of those 8' or larger balls as a game piece. Not really sure how scoring would work, but I'd imagine the robots would be tanks.

Sorry to tangent, but WHY ON EARTH would you pay $2,800 for a 15 foot soccerball!?!

[DampRobot]

Originally Posted by BBray_T1296

Sorry to tangent, bot WHY ON EARTH would you pay $2,800 for a 15 foot soccerball!?!

I've saved for it since I was 5.

My idea was to use it as a house.

Which could roll around like a hamster wheel.

On Mars.

[loyal]

Originally Posted by DampRobot

I've saved for it since I was 5.

My idea was to use it as a house.

Which could roll around like a hamster wheel.

On Mars.

A mental vision of that is disturbing.

[tim-tim]

Originally Posted by Hallry

Instead of waiting for AndyMark to get them from Sportogo and then buy them from AndyMark, why not just buy them straight from Sportogo? They don't have any with the official FIRST logo on them, but you can get a same size/weight ball with a tennis ball/magic 8 ball/etc. cover instead, and they are cheaper that way. Or, if you already ordered some extra balls from AndyMark and those popped, you can keep the cover and just order new bladders from Sportogo.

Or you can buy the official FRC Ball directly from SPORTOGO. I believe the part number is SP-014ROBOT. I placed an order for two of the "25in Volleyballs" (one red and one blue), and received an email asking if I was part of an FRC team and that I could switch my order to the official balls. I don't think the balls are listed on their site, but give them an email or call.

The balls are still $52ea.

[Gdeaver]

Our ball has 2 leaks. Has anyone used a inner tube patch kit. I worry that the solvent will melt the foam material. We are currently using a bladder from 5 below until we get our replacements.

[KevinG]

Originally Posted by tim-tim

Or you can buy the official FRC Ball directly from SPORTOGO. I believe the part number is SP-014ROBOT. I placed an order for two of the "25in Volleyballs" (one red and one blue), and received an email asking if I was part of an FRC team and that I could switch my order to the official balls. I don't think the balls are listed on their site, but give them an email or call.

The balls are still $52ea.

I'd rather have a smiley face ball personally.