Withholding limits and GP

[hipsterjr]

Originally Posted by keehun

Did the GDC just up the Withholding Limit?

Sorry if it was discussed before. I couldn't find it within this thread.

YEP!!!! It is now 65Lb to help the teams that lost build time.

I feel a little bad getting this extra time when I live in Summerville, SC

[Al Skierkiewicz]

That seems a fair way to handle the situation and level the field. Of course, we meet through wind and snow and hail and dark of night.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

That seems a fair way to handle the situation and level the field.

Did it really level the field or just give everyone an advantage?

I guess, if I missed a week and didn't have a lifter, I could now build a lifter. But, for a team that didn't miss anytime they can now further test and perfect their lifter. In this sense, it levels the field a bit.

If it results all around better, more polished robots, then I'm all for it.

[Bochek]

does anyone know how long it usualy takes the GDC to respond? I haven't heard back after posting the question on Friday. yet i see some responces to questions asked today.

- Bochek

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Bochek

does anyone know how long it usualy takes the GDC to respond? I haven't heard back after posting the question on Friday. yet i see some responces to questions asked today.

- Bochek

Questions with less obvious answers take more time to be discussed and ruled on.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Bochek

does anyone know how long it usualy takes the GDC to respond? I haven't heard back after posting the question on Friday. yet i see some responces to questions asked today.

- Bochek

It probably depends how straightforward it is, and whether or not they think it needs to be addressed in an update. If it's something in the Manual or an Update, whoever gets to it first could answer easily. If it's a complex question, or the Manual isn't clear, and they need to discuss, it could take a while. If there's an Update due out within a day or so, it's quite possible that they hold back until the Update comes out and address it then.

This question would not be straightforward.

[Bochek]

still no reply from the GDC, even after team update 11, il give it one more day before i start to dig into why no response.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Adam,
The GDC is spread across the country and so they can only discuss answers at certain times. The team update, I am sure, takes precedent. Be patient, they may be doing a little research. It's an important question.

[dlavery]

You mean this question?




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[dtengineering]

Go GDC! Yes! Good call.

Okay, I know the GDC doesn't really need a cheering section, but I've once or twice (in seven years) spoken up when I didn't like an interpretation or ruling, so it's only fair to speak up with the ones I really like, too.

I think the witholding limit is one of the best "new rules" I've seen introduced into FRC. We realized the significance of it last year, and built two twelve pound drive modules and one fifteen pound control board. They could be easily bolted or unbolted from the robot. We kept them behind, strapped them on a plywood "dummy chassis" and did all our traction control work at spring break.

This year we've put all our electronics and pneumatic valves into a 20 pound control box, and built two complete chassis. One chassis will ship, along with the bumpers, weighing in at about 75-80 pounds. The control board, and backup chassis will stay behind, so we can practice driving, refine our software and still have 20 pounds to build a lift or some other mechanism as we watch and learn. If we build it right, it should be about 30 minutes of work in Seattle to upgrade the "competition" chassis and install the refined components. After the season ends, we'll probably retrofit each robot with an old IFI control system so we can play soccer matches at school.

This not only makes our robot better, but should reduce shipping costs and carbon emissions involved in shipping the robot. Win, win, WIN!

Jason

P.S. I know we can now bring the 20 pound control box plus an additional 45 pounds of stuff (20+45=65 pounds), but our plan has been to work within the 40 pound witholding limit all along, and we haven't been affected by snow (as anyone watching the "Winter" Olympics will know) and shouldn't need to take advantage of the increased limits.

[Chris is me]

65 pounds is the new 120.

That's all I wanna say

[Bochek]

GO GDC!!! another 5 weeks of build season!

[Bochek]

Originally Posted by dlavery

You mean this question?




.

Dave, what are you doing up at nearly 1am? and the GDC posting responses at almost 11PM. You'r all hardcore about this eh?

[seannoseworthy]

Originally Posted by Bochek

Dave, what are you doing up at nearly 1am? and the GDC posting responses at almost 11PM. You'r all hardcore about this eh?

Time zones?

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by seannoseworthy

Time zones?

Same as yours.

Originally Posted by Bochek

Dave, what are you doing up at nearly 1am? and the GDC posting responses at almost 11PM. You'r all hardcore about this eh?

Don't you know - the GDC never sleeps.



-dave



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