pic: Simbotics FVC Practice Field

[Holtzman]

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[Ben Piecuch]

That's a nice looking, fully functional VEX field. However, I'm more interested in seeing what 'bot you've got hidden behind that 2x ball. This years' game is proving to be quite a challange. Any teasers for us yet? (Btw, are those bumpers on that VEX bot?)

We, FVC 228, may have some teasers to post next week. With the number of students on our team, we've been able to prototype a few different robots and game strategies. Stay tuned for more info.

BEN

[Lil' Lavery]

I did learn one thing from this photo about your bot. It isn't going to follow the lines to get to the balls in autonomous (unless you don't think the different colored floor tiles will interfere with your line sensors).
Can't wait to see officially what you will be doing. FVC 116 is currently working on their prototype bot until they get some more parts.

[AdamHeard]

I bet it's scary looking and deadly efficient in scoring...

I do like the colored tiles though... Makes it look more friendly...

[Holtzman]

Originally Posted by Ben Piecuch

However, I'm more interested in seeing what 'bot you've got hidden behind that 2x ball.

Robot? What Robot? I don't see a robot. Its clearly a downed weather balloon, or possible light from Venus reflecting off swamp gas.

[Alex Cormier]

I have a question about the platform. If a robot/atlas ball is on one side, does the other side raise up a tad bit?

[Ben Piecuch]

I'll make some general comments based on our experience with the rotating platform. I'll note that we used all the correct hardware, and built it to the best of our ability.

With that, I'll start by saying that the entire assembly weighs a considerable amount. My "bicep calibration" would put it around 30lbs. There is a LOT of plywood there. Even with the solid plywood and the correct 12" lazy susan, the rotation is not very smooth/consistent. The plywood STILL warped on us, and it rubs slightly every rotation. A good solid push gets it around 1 - 1.5 rotations.

With our initial robot prototypes, we were able to get a couple different robots up onto the platform. I would say that the platform does NOT move/tilt any considerable amount. The platform also stays put, and you need to consciously try to rotate the platform. It doesn't just move when you tap it. Rolling the 2x ball into a vertical post barely moves the platform 5 or 10 degrees. Overall, we were successful in creating a robot that could manipulate the platform pretty easily. However, I wouldn't jump and say that the design was anything close to "practical." YMMV.

Feel free to ask anymore questions. Best of luck!

BEN

[KathieK]

A lesson learned: In our Affiliate Partner training we were focused on resetting the field in between matches and a couple of people tripped over the Atlas Blocker Bars located in the corners of the field. For some reason your eye doesn't really "see" them when you enter the field from that end and they become a tripping hazard. Be aware of them when using your practice fields!