bumper problem

[65_Xero_Huskie]

Yep, you must have 3/4 of your robot filled with a "Standard Bumper". There can be no modifications to the bumpers or they would not be "Standard" bumpers.
Just split up the bumper into two parts on that side and you will be fine

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by 65_Xero_Huskie

Yep, you must have 3/4 of your robot filled with a "Standard Bumper". There can be no modifications to the bumpers or they would not be "Standard" bumpers.
Just split up the bumper into two parts on that side and you will be fine

Should be 2/3

[ALIBI]

This may be a silly question. If the shaft is just sticking out just the slightest bit, why not just cut off the end of the shaft? If it is just sticking out, it must not be doing anything where it sticks out anyway.

[lopz056]

Originally Posted by ALIBI

This may be a silly question. If the shaft is just sticking out just the slightest bit, why not just cut off the end of the shaft? If it is just sticking out, it must not be doing anything where it sticks out anyway.

its not so much that the shaft is sticking out, the pillow blocks its in stick out of the frame of the robot about a quarter inch. thats whats getting in the way of the bumpers

[usbcd36]

Is it still within the size requirements with that block sticking out? If it is, you could make standoffs to set the bumper away from the robot enough so it won't interfere with the block.

[lopz056]

the bumpers are already 3 1/2 inches out of the robot, i wish i had some extra room. i really dont want to have to divide the bumpers (one on the two sides of the robot), because weve already welded the mounts and "prettified" the frame, so were not doing anymore welding

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by lopz056

the bumpers are already 3 1/2 inches out of the robot, i wish i had some extra room. i really dont want to have to divide the bumpers (one on the two sides of the robot), because weve already welded the mounts and "prettified" the frame, so were not doing anymore welding

Well it looks like you have quite a few options here.

1. Ask the Q&A to verify the comments that have been posted here, all previous bumper questions have outlawed any modifications to the standard bumper system as described in the manual and I don't think this would be any different, but you can definitely try.

2. Change the design of the protruding shaft/pillow block setup so it does not protrude from the frame.

3. If you still fit in the 28"x38" box with the protruding pillow block (which you must do anyway), then you can use standoffs as suggested by usbcd36 to mount the bumpers outside the protrusion. If your bumpers are more than 3.5" thick I would examine whether or not they were designed according to official specs as a 2.5" diameter pool noodle and a 1/4" sheet of plywood do not add up to near 3.5". Mounts for the bumpers that are attached to the robot do not count towards this 3.5" and must fit within the starting dimensions of 28"x38".

4. Suck it up and split the bumper.

Regardless of which option you choose to go with, hopefully your team uses this as a learning experience. All parts of the robot design must be considered from the very beginning. This goes for big things (size, weight etc.) as well as small (flag holder, bumpers, RC visibility).

[ALIBI]

Originally Posted by lopz056

its not so much that the shaft is sticking out, the pillow blocks its in stick out of the frame of the robot about a quarter inch. thats whats getting in the way of the bumpers

We had something similar last year. We ended up with shaft collars on the outside of our pillow blocks to help with end play. We just mounted the bumpers over the collars/pillowblocks and everything worked fine. Ours did not stick as far as yours do. Our frame started out about 0.75 inches less than 28 inches so we had the room to do it. It sounds like from previous posts you may all ready be beyond the length/width requirements, I hope not. If you are not, the 3 1/2 inches would start at the end of your shaft. A couple of washers/spaces to give support bewteen the bumper and frame and you should be good to go.