Magnets allowed?¿?

[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