One thing to note on the hanging tetras...

[Pin Man]

Is it possible for magnets to get weaker as the competition goes on? That was one question that arised today in the design meeting...

[BandChick]

Probably, but it isn't likely. I'm sure they've been tested and worked on a lot throughout the past year. Usually it takes thousands of uses before magnets become substantially less powerful.

[ldeffenb]

Originally Posted by Kyle

the connectors on the tops of them all have metal on them so they can be hung, at least there is nothing in the book that says other wise.

This is correct. At the kickoff, everyone was messing with various ways to drop the magnetic tetras. They *do* drop very easily. If you tap them, they fall. If you push them to the side, they fall. If you pull down on them, they fall. If you rap on the goal itself with about 5 times the force, they fall anyway!

If you had something that could knock the ball off of the Tee in First Frenzy, you've got something that will knock off the hanging tetra this year.

[elknise]

Originally Posted by Pin Man

Is it possible for magnets to get weaker as the competition goes on? That was one question that arised today in the design meeting...

They could get weeker if the competition lasted for thosands of years. Also, i beleive that only 4 goals and 4 tetras (2 red and 2 blue) are modified. Also, i remember during a question period at our kickoff location, i remember someone saying that it was a 20 pound magnet

[HPA_Robotics_13]

If you go to the McMaster-Carr online catalog and find the product that is listed in the FRC Game Team Field Elements Materials list the description of the magnet says that it is a 38 pound magnet. Product # 5685K32