lathe turning wheels- is it against the rules?

[mrnoble]

We have decided that more wheels does actually equal enough of an advantage that we are planning to stack our wheels three wide. Question- in order to ensure that each wheel is continually in contact with the regolith, we are considering turning them on the lathe together and using a levelling stick to sand them even with each other, then buffing them to a surface texture equal to that with which they came in the KOP.

The question is, is this legal? While we appreciate your concern about coefficient of friction and all that, please don't worry about giving us advice on the number of wheels. We simply want to know if we can resurface them without attempting to add traction to the surface of the wheel.

Thanks!

[dani190]

i dont think so due to whatever rule number stating the wheels must be in as close to out of box condition as possible.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by mrnoble

We have decided that more wheels does actually equal enough of an advantage that we are planning to stack our wheels three wide. Question- in order to ensure that each wheel is continually in contact with the regolith, we are considering turning them on the lathe together and using a levelling stick to sand them even with each other, then buffing them to a surface texture equal to that with which they came in the KOP.

The question is, is this legal? While we appreciate your concern about coefficient of friction and all that, please don't worry about giving us advice on the number of wheels. We simply want to know if we can resurface them without attempting to add traction to the surface of the wheel.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by <R06>

<R06>
ROBOTs must use ROVER WHEELS (as supplied in the 2009 Kit Of Parts and/or their equivalent as provided by the supplying vendor) to provide traction between the ROBOT and the ARENA. Any number of ROVER WHEELS may be used. The ROVER WHEELS must be used in a “normal” orientation (i.e. with the tread of the wheel in contact with the ground, with the axis of rotation parallel to the ground and penetrating the wheel hub). No other forms of traction devices (wheels, tracks, legs, or other devices intended to provide traction) are permitted. The surface tread of the ROVER WHEELS may not be modified except through normal wear-and-tear. Specifically, the addition of cleats, studs, carved treads, alterations to the wheel profile, high-traction surface treatments, adhesive coatings, abrasive materials, and/or other attachments are prohibited. The intent of this rule is that the ROVER WHEELS be used in as close to their “out of the box” condition as possible, to provide the intended low-friction dynamic performance during the game

As per the above bolded section, what you propose would not be allowed.

[Rick Wagner]

Robot rule 6 says, in part:

"The surface tread of the ROVER WHEELS may not be modified except through normal wear-and-tear."

So, no, lathe turning of the wheels for uniform diameter is not allowed.

[Justin Stiltner]

They are probably molded to already be as close as you would get them with a stick and sandpaper. Surely they are within the slop that will be present in the bearings they are mounted with.

[mrnoble]

Thanks, everyone. They are already within pretty close tolerances, as you say.

Changing the subject a bit- our practice wheels, which have only been used for about 1 hour, already show significant scratching; enough that we are concerned about durability at the competition. Do you think that FIRST will have a large stockpile of swap-outs on hand and will require teams to switch who have been practicing to the point where the wheels have additional traction?

We certainly weren't asking this because we want to violate the spirit of the rules regarding wheel modification ; if anything, we wanted to make sure ours were in as close to delivery specs as possible. I'm hoping that there won't be many who come to the competition with worn wheels due to "normal wear" who intended it to be an advantage; I remember there being posts to that effect a couple of weeks ago.

Again, thanks for the input. Good luck to all!

[Justin Stiltner]

As part of the last team update they listed a method that can be used to repair your wheels if they are scratched. Basically sand the scratches off and buff them back to a "shine" your fingernail shouldn't catch in any of the marks left on the wheel.