pic: Capping 177

[EvanG]

It's not intrusive. If I had pics, I'd get them for you, but alas, I couldn't find any on my computer. However, feel completely free to stop by our pit at the nationals. I'm sure anyone in our pit would be more than willing to show you all the components of our bot. Depending on who you talk to, you might just get the whole talk, from the unique and innovative vacuum to the rollers. ;D

You'll figure out the important factors in delivering the balls. I'm sure you're doing it, but you should work on developing some ideas for systems now before Atlanta so you can make them there. The thing we had the most problems with, but is probably the most important thing (or it appeared to me but what do i know? I'm only an electronics guy) is the grip on the balls. If you have a good grip, and you have a good speed kicker, you can deliver the balls fairly efficiently. If its too loose, no matter how fast your kicker is, it won't move anything. If its too tight, it will just lift your robot on top of the ball instead of kick it.

Without seeing your bot, I couldn't tell you what I think is the problem and what you can do to fix it, but i'm sure you'll take a look at it and go ah hah! and get it. It happens all the time.

[ZACH P.]

Well thank you for your help. You've been most gracious.

[Ryan Morin]

This is great because back in NJ me and my coach, Rob, came up with this exact same strategy but were unable to do cause another robot got in our way. But this is great I thought no one else would ever think of this strategy to stop this kind of robot.

[DaBruteForceGuy]

Ah i remember that.... won of the best momants at Philly....

[theory6]

It's not that funny when it's your team robot that gets capped but got to hand to to the opposing team...that was a pretty smart idea to cap another robot Ofcourse there are tons of ways to counteract that

[RBrandy]

I am not absoluly positive on this, someone told me capping a robot was now against the rules. Ill have to look it up. If some one else knows, let me know.

[Ryan Morin]

Originally Posted by RBrandy

I am not absoluly positive on this, someone told me capping a robot was now against the rules. Ill have to look it up. If some one else knows, let me know.

I don't exactly know if it is againt the rules but my coach did ask the head ref at NJ before we attempted this and his exact words "stick it in em."

[Mark McLeod]

We had a lot of debate in the pits and with a few other teams before we did this to 177. We were also worried that it might damage their mechanism and we didn't want to do that. One of the options was to just hold the big ball over 177's hopper and deflect the balls.

We got our comeuppance that match when the power connector to our arm motor came loose. We couldn't cap or hang after that.

[BoyWithCape195]

Originally Posted by RBrandy

I am not absoluly positive on this, someone told me capping a robot was now against the rules. Ill have to look it up. If some one else knows, let me know.

Um, it is not against the rules, its still perfectly legal in the competition

[RoteAugen]

Originally Posted by BoyWithCape195

Um, it is not against the rules, its still perfectly legal in the competition

Yeah... I have a hard time believing they would make this illegal to do.. especially since it is not intentionally damaging a robot... it's just simply an attempt to control their actions on the field- defense.

[EvanG]

I haven't heard anything on the legality of this action, but I could see where both sides could have their arguement. I.E. - It should be legal for this purpose; It was an amazing defense move that messed us up for a little bit. It should be illegal because there are some robots out there that may not have the durability that our bot had and could break.

I suppose its up to the refs at each competition. I really hate to side with the side that capped my robot, but I do recall Dave Lavery saying make sure your bot could take a hit with a yellow ball. Don't worry though, our drivers know how to handle it now--preventing the ball from going in, and getting it out if it does.

[RBrandy]

I'm sorry, I thought I heard somebody say that at Midwest. I must have been mistaken. Thanks for the clarification.

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

One of the options was to just hold the big ball over 177's hopper and deflect the balls.

This happened to us. We almost came back and won the match, but we didn't collect enough balls to over come the other alliances points. It was still a GREAT match. Good job to Team 27 for using that strategy on us.

See you in Atlanta!!!

[Tyler Olds]

Originally Posted by RBrandy

I'm sorry, I thought I heard somebody say that at Midwest. I must have been mistaken. Thanks for the clarification.



This happened to us. We almost came back and won the match, but we didn't collect enough balls to over come the other alliances points. It was still a GREAT match. Good job to Team 27 for using that strategy on us.

See you in Atlanta!!!

There was an official ruling that capping another robot is legal.

Yeah goign to the other side to catch against 27's drive train was not a good idea, they were the only team that could really move us.

However to I guess counter being capped, you cna just keep your funnel closed, or if they cap you and you still ahev the ability to collect, you still can do that.