Bumpers vs Frame which is better

[Alex Burman]

I wanted to know what everyone thought will be better. If bumper will turn the tide helping the offense or will a robot with no bumpers rule the defensive field

[Alex Cormier]

I was watching the Rochester Rally II a few days before ship and i remember 1511 ramming into 211 and 1511 just bounced off. 211 was the one who had the bumpers, i don't remember seeing two robots hitting that each had bumpers. But i was totally impressed on how well those work.

[Alan Anderson]

A robot using bumpers has a fifteen-pound advantage over a robot not using bumpers. I find it difficult to imagine lighter being better in an otherwise matched contest.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

I was watching the Rochester Rally II a few days before ship and i remember 1511 ramming into 211 and 1511 just bounced off. 211 was the one who had the bumpers, i don't remember seeing two robots hitting that each had bumpers. But i was totally impressed on how well those work.

1511 crashed into us as well and bounced off. Bumpers are the way to go.

[ebmonon36]

The bumpers will definately help protect the robots against hard hits especially during autonomous with all 6 robots starting reletively close to each other. I don't see them as benefitting one side more than the other. As noted by other posters, the extra weight might help. You're still going to see pushing matches and some ramming. The bumpers will help the robots stand up to the beatings better.
Eric

[JJG13]

Also, bumpers add 15 pounds of legal weight. More weight should mean more traction which means a better pushing robot. Though, I'll miss the sound of crashing metal on metal .

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by JJG13

Also, bumpers add 15 pounds of legal weight. More weight should mean more traction which means a better pushing robot. Though, I'll miss the sound of crashing metal on metal .

That's a reason to keep bumpers off of your robot

[sanddrag]

I see bumpers as a failure point. If they rip or fall off or something, they can get caught in your drive system.

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I see bumpers as a failure point. If they rip or fall off or something, they can get caught in your drive system.

that's why you securely fasten them. you have at least a 1lb or so for fasteners of the bumpers, use it!

[Kevin Ray]

Ahhhh, I'll rely on the other team's foresight, caution and proactive nature to allow our metal frame to bounce off their bumpers while we use a more sleek conformation to maneuver about the field (and ramp) unencumbered

[Eldarion]

The way I look at this is if we find the bumpers to be a problem, FIRST did require us to make them easily removable...

[Jay H 237]

Even though the bumpers may add 15# to a robot the additional weight alone may not be an advantage. You also have to take into account how well the wheels grip and how strong the drive system is.

I also see the bumpers lessening the shock the electronics would take in a collision with another robot or field element.
(pun intended )

[Starke]

#340 was going to use bumpers. then we realized that our design would not allow for the bumpers. having the bumpers where FIRST wants them to be would not allow us to make it up the ramp or be able to collect the amount of balls that we wanted to.

i agree that bumpers give you and advantage with having an extra 15 pounds. i guess well have to see what the regionals will show for the bumpers.

[Schneidie]

Originally Posted by Grayswandir-75

I wanted to know what everyone thought will be better. If bumper will turn the tide helping the offense or will a robot with no bumpers rule the defensive field

A bot with bumpers will probably be better, as I have noticed that if your robot is broken, you can't qualify for the finals of a regional.

[Faith]

I think bumpers are better in most cases. They do add an extra 15lbs of weight. They also make it harder to injure your robot, which is always a plus. In some cases they may prevent climbing the ramp, however - they may also help climbing the ramp, making the robot less top-heavy. It all depends on the robot...

I guess defense it would be better to have bumpers for protection, weight, and traction.