Magnets allowed?¿?

[Matt D]

The word magnet only appears once in the robot section of the manual (5) and not at all on the Q&A site. That reference is talking about how the current sensor works.

According to the Parts Use Flowchart, if you can get it in one of the ok'd places then it's legal.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Electromagnets are not allowed under the rules. If you follow the flow chart there is a section on electronics where it askes the question "Is the part a motor, solenoid, pump, or other actuator?" Since the answer is Yes you cannot use it. An electromagnet is by definition a solenoid, i.e. a coil of wire, wound around a form, that induces a manetic field by the introduction of electricity, to attract another metalic object. Sorry.

[maxgebhardt]

part of the other trouble its the magnetic force could also possibly interfier with radio of other robots, or pull steel parts off if it was powerful enought to hold the robot... 100 posts! oh yeah!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by maxgebhardt

part of the other trouble its the magnetic force could also possibly interfier with radio of other robots, or pull steel parts off if it was powerful enought to hold the robot... 100 posts! oh yeah!

Max,
An electromagnet would not produce interference with the radio modem in and of itself. Big coils do have this natsy habit of producing an arc at the switch when you try to remove current from the coil. That arc is capable of a lot of energy in the RF range and might be enough to disrupt the modem.
As to your closing signature, another form I heard "way back when" relates to the F104 fighter. Marines were heard to say it proved if it you put a big enough engine on it, you could get a brick to fly.

[briholton]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Electromagnets are not allowed under the rules. If you follow the flow chart there is a section on electronics where it askes the question "Is the part a motor, solenoid, pump, or other actuator?" Since the answer is Yes you cannot use it. An electromagnet is by definition a solenoid, i.e. a coil of wire, wound around a form, that induces a manetic field by the introduction of electricity, to attract another metalic object. Sorry.

I don't know. It seems the spirit of that rule is an electromechanical device - an electromagnet is not that, right?, only half of that. And yes, you are certainly right, it is a solenoid by defn, but the spirit of that rule..... I mean, one could argue that any loop of wire is a solenoid, but we know the spirit of the rule. Would be rather interesting to see an electromagnet that could lift a robot when attached to a round bar and be able to spend some time on the bar with no battery power when the match is over. And to add to that, i wonder if magnet wire is allowed - i suppose so, but you have to keep to the correct size.... I highly doubt anyone could produce such a device given the rules, but gee, i'd be curious to see a prototype even if it isn't allowed