Changing bumper colors

[engunneer]

I did work briefly for a company that made thermochromic fabric that was electrically actuated. Too bad it uses alot of power, as that would be pretty cool looking.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

To keep everyone aware of changes in the rules this year...

<R15> Teams shall display their team number on the BUMPERS in four
locations at approximately 90-degree intervals around the perimeter of the ROBOT. The numerals must be at least 4 inches high, at least in ¾-inch stroke width and in a contrasting color from its background. Team Numbers must be clearly visible from a distance of not less than 100 feet, so that judges, referees, and announcers can easily identify competing ROBOTS.

[jspatz1]

Alliance color stays the same througout elimination rounds, and qualification rounds are usually never back-to-back for a given robot. There should be ample time to change color with whatever method.

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by jspatz1

Alliance color stays the same throughout elimination rounds

False. An upset can often result in switching colors due to the way the colors are determined.

See here for a quick example. The 171-525-2175 alliance starts on Blue Alliance in the quarters, then moves to Red Alliance in the semis after upsetting the #1 alliance.

[GaryVoshol]

In elimintions, the colors will remain the same only if:

QF
-- 1 beats 8
-- 5 beats 4
-- 2 beats 7
-- 6 beats 3
SF
-- 1 beats 5
-- 6 beats 2

In any other case, at least one alliance will be changing bumper colors

[Ed Law]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

To keep everyone aware of changes in the rules this year...

<R15> Teams shall display their team number on the BUMPERS in four
locations at approximately 90-degree intervals around the perimeter of the ROBOT. The numerals must be at least 4 inches high, at least in ¾-inch stroke width and in a contrasting color from its background. Team Numbers must be clearly visible from a distance of not less than 100 feet, so that judges, referees, and announcers can easily identify competing ROBOTS.

How do teams plan to put the team numbers on the bumpers? What are the different possibilities?

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Ed Law

How do teams plan to put the team numbers on the bumpers? What are the different possibilities?

There are a few ways of doing this. The most popular is paint as you can touch it up after the many bumps and scratches it will encounter during matches. Another is sewing on fabric numbers, but those are harder to attach and fix after falling off.

[TubaMorg]

Our team has, for some reason, been unable to figure out an elegant solution to mounting our bumpers the last few years. I really like this solution, BUT I am unsure how it is implemented (along with the AM brackets) to avoid the 1" hard parts rule. Our understanding is that with the 3/4" plywood, you only have 1/4" left for bolts/brackets etc. which appears to us to eliminate fastening systems other than what is very similar to what is shown in the manual.

Originally Posted by kramarczyk

We used the same thing on 1189 and 3096's bots last year. In my opinion using any other method is a waste of time. Between the two bots the system had ~88 matches of use and during that time no pin ever was dislodged past the ball lock. Let's face it... stuff doesn't fall up. Of course in Breakaway up could vary from moment to moment, but I'm planning to use these pins again anyway.

The specific part number was McMaster-Carr (p/n 98320A140)

They should also mate with AndyMark's bumper brackets AM-0317

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by TubaMorg

I am unsure how it is implemented (along with the AM brackets) to avoid the 1" hard parts rule. Our understanding is that with the 3/4" plywood, you only have 1/4" left for bolts/brackets etc. which appears to us to eliminate fastening systems other than what is very similar to what is shown in the manual.

The 1" is measured outward from the frame perimeter. Bumper fasteners can extend into the robot without being subject to that measurement.

[TubaMorg]

Excellent, thanks Alan. R07.N confirms your point.

[Josh Drake]

Originally Posted by Ed Law

How do teams plan to put the team numbers on the bumpers? What are the different possibilities?

We use a local embroidery/screen print business. They heat press the numbers onto the fabric. We have not had any trouble with them staying on. It looks real good too

[Ed Law]

Originally Posted by DRAKE343

We use a local embroidery/screen print business. They heat press the numbers onto the fabric. We have not had any trouble with them staying on. It looks real good too

Thanks. Is this the same process they use to put numbers and letters on sports uniforms or is it a more expensive method?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I have seen numbers painted, screen printed, made out of contrasting fabric, and embroidered depending on the team's sponsor or parent base. In the past, numbers were not required on the bumpers, this is a new rule for 2010.

[Don Wright]

Originally Posted by Ed Law

Thanks. Is this the same process they use to put numbers and letters on sports uniforms or is it a more expensive method?

Ed,

Gail get's ours done at Fast Signs every year and they always turn out great and always stand up to lots of abuse. We bring in the fabric with the outside bumper area marked in chalk and they make a sign right on the material.

Give Gail a call for details.

[carbuff2228]

Andy Mark sell skirts that you can buy. They velcroe on to youre bumpers. They carry these in red and blue. But they cost 45.00 each