Rules: Velcroing Electronics

[markulrich]

Last year my team tapped a sheet of lexan to bolt our electronics components on, and although the end result was very spiffy it just took too long.

For a test robot this summer we had to wire it for a demo in about 2 hours, so stripped for time we decided to use industrial adhesive backed velcro to secure all of the electronics components and it worked great! This was on a robot that could flip itself upside down, it took a lot of jolts.

Of course we don't plan to velcro down a cRIO, but for the digital sidecar and victors it could be nice. So my question is. . . would this be allowed under the 2008 rules?

Thanks much!

[popo308]

I don't believe there is any rule saying you must bolt your electronics...

I have seen zip ties and hot glue used so i don't see why Velcro would not pass inspection....

[BornaE]

We have used velcro to mount our electronics in the past and they have worked great, but i like bolting them better since they wont end up straight with velcro.

[Ice Berg]

My team uses velcro every year to mount electronics, so it has been legal in the past. However, with the new control system they may change alter these rules. So honestly, nothing can be said for sure until we get the full game manual.

[EricH]

<R38> of the 2008 manual allows it. It's been allowed for years, too.

This says nothing about whether a) it will be allowed in 2009 or b) security of attachment.

[merybar]

The last several years my team has gone with it and it makes it quite handy to move components quickly

[Ed Law]

That sounds like a great idea to velcro things. Where can I buy stuff like that?

Ed

[tdlrali]

We get it in large spools, something close to 9489K586 and 9489K665 on mcmaster.

[dtengineering]

Using velcro may result in weight savings compared to using machine screws to hold the electronics in place, at least if you are using steel screws. We switched from using #8-32 and #4-40 steel screws to the equivalent nylon screws a few years back and saved, as I recall somewhere on the order of one pound.

Industrial-strength, adhesive backed velcro should be available at your local hardware store. I usually get ours at Rona or Home Depot. It is also great for securing lexan body panels and many other parts that may need to be repositioned.

Jason

[kjhobin]

Quick Tip: Don't use Velcro, use 3M Dual Lock (See: http://www.itapestore.com/index.asp?...n=Custom&ID=19) It's the same stuff used on the FLL fields to hold on the Lego models. It has a higher tensile strength and has "five times the strength of standard hook and loop. Plus, since it adheres to its self you don't need to worry about having two different sides. It will also adhere to regular "loop" side velcro.

555 gets theirs from itapestore.com (direct link: http://www.itapestore.com/index.asp?...n=Custom&ID=23)
It's also available at radio shack in small, overpriced, quantities (see: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...45&tab=summary)

[ebarker]

I just went to the Home Depot and got some of the 'modernized' velcro - the industrial strength version. I do not know for fact but it possibly compares favorably to the 3M stuff.

[Mr. Freeman]

This year I wouldn't try to Velcro the Crio due to its weight, I'd be worried about it flying off in a sudden stop. It has a couple mounting holes for bolts.

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by ebarker

I just went to the Home Depot and got some of the 'modernized' velcro - the industrial strength version. I do not know for fact but it possibly compares favorably to the 3M stuff.

I've been using that Velcro Industrial stuff (industrially, for FRC and for other things) for years, and I'm very pleased with it. I would estimate that it's stronger in tension than Dual Lock (although not quite as simple to separate). 1114 and 2505 used it to hold down their controls last year, with no issues as far as I know. 1114 even uses it to attach their battery and cRIO. (At inspection, they demonstrated that the main battery was reasonably secure, and were passed.)

The only real catch with Velcro Industrial is that the adhesive needs a while to cure: according to the box, don't pull it apart for 24 h once you've applied it.

[Richard McClellan]

Originally Posted by kjhobin

Quick Tip: Don't use Velcro, use 3M Dual Lock (See: http://www.itapestore.com/index.asp?...n=Custom&ID=19) It's the same stuff used on the FLL fields to hold on the Lego models. It has a higher tensile strength and has "five times the strength of standard hook and loop. Plus, since it adheres to its self you don't need to worry about having two different sides. It will also adhere to regular "loop" side velcro.

Personally, I would recommend against 3M Dual Lock. I was a referee at an FLL Qualifier yesterday and was not impressed with it. It was difficult to keep the Lego models on the mat as the Dual Lock was not holding very well.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I would agree that Velcro is not a good choice for either the CRIO or the Power Distro. We have used it in the past for things like the Spikes and Victors but be advised is it good for a year or two after install but then the adhesive starts to dry out. Tywraps are an excellent choice but I don't think they will support the CRIO. I would expect that the inspection list will include a line item for secure mounting of the controller, the PD and the wireless access similar to the mounting for the main breaker and fuse panels in the past.