Bumper Wall Attachment

[Al Skierkiewicz]

aldaeron,
The test we make when looking at the robot and bumpers involves a determination if the team is shifting robot weight to the bumper attachments. Our guide is the highlighted rule about bumper attachment structure and par J. Although you do not show the frame in your drawing, I am guessing it still exists at the top and bottom of the bumper. I ask in order to insure you have met with par M

M. The entire length of the BUMPER backing must be supported by the structure/frame of the ROBOT (i.e. the backing material must not be in “free space” between or beyond attachment points) (see Figure 8 – 3).

By now most teams are asking "why?" on the entire bumper section. This has been a evolution of rules making by the GDC to protect robots throughout the season. The success of this endeavor was evident in last year's competition and the lack of serious robot damage due to collisions with the field, trailers and other robots. Inspections are more difficult but the effect is better for all.

[Tristan Lall]

Under current rules (this wasn't true in 2008, for example), if the bumper bracket is not intended to be removed from the bumper, it counts toward the bumper weight and not the robot weight. (Note that in the case where the bumper bracket is both removable and structural with regard to the robot, and still serves as a fastening method for the bumper, you may encounter an inspector who instead interprets your design as a not-quick-enough bumper removal method—wood screws—and a robot structural member that happens to be removable. You may have to discuss your intent with him, and see if he agrees with your interpretation—there's a good chance that you'll receive the benefit of the doubt.)

Also note that if your wood screws (attaching the clamping angle) protrude from the bumper, you need to consider whether they lie on the frame perimeter, or whether the angle or plywood lie on the frame perimeter instead. By <R07I>, "BUMPERS must attach to the FRAME PERIMETER" (not the clearest directive, given what the frame perimeter is), but there's apparently no prohibition on penetrating the frame perimeter to do things other than attach.

You may also want to ask the Q&A about the 1 in limit of hard parts (measured from the frame perimeter). It appears that it doesn't apply in the inward direction (though the existing question and answer dealing with that might both have been clearer). This has significant implications for the design of "multi-part attachment systems".