What's the best rope?

[andrewytiger]

Originally Posted by engunneer

As an inspector, that rope would not pass my inspection and would be brought to the LRI as it contains glass beads (which are not fibers or flexible, per I04).

As an inspector, do you believe that velcro would be allowed?

[frcguy]

Originally Posted by Steph342

Is there anything preventing you from using a nylon strap and a drum with barb wire to suck in the rope and winch yourself up?

Just why...

[Cothron Theiss]

Originally Posted by frcguy

Just why...

Because who needs skin on their hands?

[engunneer]

Originally Posted by andrewytiger

As an inspector, do you believe that velcro would be allowed?

My team asked me that too. I need to look more closely at the construction of the loop half. I think I need the hook half is likely to be a no (75% confidence) and the loop half could be a yes, but possibly only certain brands if all the backing is woven. I'm 50/50 on that until I can look at it closely or the gdc rules.

[SpadeSeveren]

Originally Posted by ToddF

Design your winch so it unreels (slowly) when the match is over.

Or you could just take the rope off of the airship, then remove the rope from the robot. I feel like that would be much easier.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by Maxwellfire

The only question is whether you can tie a large enough knot in the end to satisfy the > 1" requirement at the top.

Google "Monkeys Fist Knot". You can start with an overhand knot and add larger and larger monkey's fists around them.

[Chief Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Steph342

Is there anything preventing you from using a nylon strap and a drum with barb wire to suck in the rope and winch yourself up?

I like out of the box ideas and I am not trying to be mean, but...

The scary thing about Chief Delphi is that some of these ideas become a reality.

If that thing WAS allowed on the field, the other robots would find the nearest corner and attempt to wet themselves.

[Eric Scheuing]

Originally Posted by andrewytiger

As an inspector, do you believe that velcro would be allowed?

There are at least 3 questions on the Q&A regarding velcro. Just keep watching for answers.

[engunneer]

Thanks to FRC1339 we have a final answer on glass beads.
https://frc-qa.firstinspires.org/qa/51

I still think the linked rope does not actually contain glass beads after reading the manufacturer's website, but a theoretical rope containing glass beads is not legal.

[mwmac]

Originally Posted by engunneer

Thanks to FRC1339 we have a final answer on glass beads.
https://frc-qa.firstinspires.org/qa/51

I still think the linked rope does not actually contain glass beads after reading the manufacturer's website, but a theoretical rope containing glass beads is not legal.

After speaking with representatives of Pigeon Mountain Industries, (manufacturer of the retro-reflective rescue rope), I believe neither the question that was asked nor the answer given really settle the issue. IMO, microscopic beads of glass contained entirely within an individual nylon fiber which is then woven into the rope sheath covering the rescue rope clearly does not render the nylon fiber any less a fiber nor inflexible. Just my two cents. Careful wording of questions in Q&A is paramount.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

Velcro is not composed of twisted or braided strands, unless you consider individual polymer molecules strands and are looking at it under a really good microscope. Feel free to ask on Q&A, but this seems like a pretty solid no to me.

You omitted the verbiage of the rule that makes Velcro legal from your definition, specifically "woven". Loop-side Velcro consists of very thin strands woven together, sometimes with a fabric backing that is also woven. Sometimes the backing and the Velcro loops are even interwoven! This means certain strips of Velcro clearly meet the rules as written. I suspect the rules will probably be changed to add a Velcro exception so that we don't all just have winches made of Velcro that can be designed in five minutes, but as of now it doesn't seem very ambiguous.

[engunneer]

Originally Posted by mwmac

After speaking with representatives of Pigeon Mountain Industries, (manufacturer of the retro-reflective rescue rope), I believe neither the question that was asked nor the answer given really settle the issue. IMO, microscopic beads of glass contained entirely within an individual nylon fiber which is then woven into the rope sheath covering the rescue rope clearly does not render the nylon fiber any less a fiber nor inflexible. Just my two cents. Careful wording of questions in Q&A is paramount.

correct, the beads don't make the nylon less flexible or less fiber. however the beads themselves are neither flexible, nor fiber, and as such, disqualify the whole rope.

[mwmac]

Originally Posted by engunneer

correct, the beads don't make the nylon less flexible or less fiber. however the beads themselves are neither flexible, nor fiber, and as such, disqualify the whole rope.

Not wanting to lawyer this anymore but one question: is the dye used to color the nylon a fiber or flexible?