About that bumper...

[CMB]

Does anyone know if we can have a bumber that is one continuous piece around the robot? It would look kinda like an inner tube... work or not?

[Jeffrafa]

you can have whatever you want if it is within the starting robot dimensions initially, included in the robot weight, and would function within the bumper zone ( 2.5" - 8.5" from the floor)

However, if you wish to take advantage of the extra 15 lbs allowed for the bumpers outlined in the kit, then they MUST be made EXACTLY as outlined in rule <R37>

-Jeff

[DanDon]

As long as the plywood backing of the bumpers does not extend past the 38x28 starting envelope of the robot, you can have an all-emcompassing bumper.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by dhoizner

As long as the plywood backing of the bumpers does not extend past the 38x28 starting envelope of the robot, you can have an all-emcompassing bumper.

Check <R37>--you're off by an inch or so.

Originally Posted by <R37>, Section 8, 2007 Manual

• In the STARTING CONFIGURATION, STANDARD BUMPERS may extend outside the horizontal dimensions for the ROBOT (as specified in Rule <R07>) by up to a maximum of 3- 1/2 inches per side. Nothing other than pool noodles and cloth can extend more than 1 inch beyond the ROBOT boundaries.
• Hard bumper parts MUST NOT extend into the corners.

It's 1" outside the robot for the plywood, up to 3.5" for everything else. No plywood in the corners.

Custom bumpers are another story.

[DanDon]

Sorry, my original post was unclear. I meant no plywood around the corners.

My apologies.

[swiftaaronw2]

What parts would I need to build a standard bumper.

[meaubry]

The exact parts needed and the exact allowable location to mount them, is shown in Section 8 <R37> of the manual where there are even pictures shown.

If you have not made or used bumpers before, I strongly encourage you to look the pictures over and get the materials listed. It's pretty much all there except where and how to interface them to your specific robot.