Magnetic Lock

[Al Skierkiewicz]

John,
Please ask the question on the Q&A. It will make the job of your inspector a little easier. In the past, if the magnet part attracted(moved) another part, it was considered to be a solenoid and not legal. If you are thinking of using this for a mechanism that would lock you into a hang position then remember that the robot is disabled at the end of the match and power to the device would be removed.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

... if the magnet part attracted(moved) another part, it was considered to be a solenoid and not legal

what if it just held another part in place, once that part had already moved into position via some other force.



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[EricH]

Originally Posted by Ether

what if it just held another part in place, once that part had already moved into position via some other force.



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The Q&A has ruled. http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=14093

It is legal for that specific use, provided that it doesn't violate other rules.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Ether,
Your proposal is still difficult to rule on without seeing it during inspection and/or through a series of tests of the various rules under which it's use might be covered. The Q&A cites specifically R02 and R03 but I don't see anything in those rules that might apply. It would still need to be fed with a spike (if less than 20 amps) or speed controller, an appropriate sized breaker through the PD and be used with appropriately sized wire for the current it uses during operation.

[carbuff2228]

yeah i know of a few teams in 2008 that used it to hurlde the ball and i think that tyou can use them as large as you can get rid of the energy at the end of the match.