Charging pneumatics system before match

[JamesCH95]

As long as the robot is disabled there is both a latch and the pistons keeping the kicker stored, I would consider the pistons to be the "fail safe" feature.

I don't think I would leave any unsupervised robot energized and/or turned on with inexperienced users, that just seems like a bad idea in the first place!

Energized pneumatics system could cause hearing damage if discharged improperly, almost any piston has enough force to hurt someone pretty badly in the wrong circumstance, and there are numerable things that could go wrong with the electrical system. Hands can get caught in chains, overheating motors can burn... I could go on...

My point being that these robots aren't little-kid-proof, and they never will be, there will always be some risk involved with working with a FIRST robot. I think we've done the best reasonable job we can do of minimizing that risk.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

My point being that these robots aren't little-kid-proof, and they never will be, there will always be some risk involved with working with a FIRST robot. I think we've done the best reasonable job we can do of minimizing that risk.

An unsuspecting student programmer in front of you in the Queue or a volunteer field resetter on their first day (or a robot inspector) is for all intents and purposes a "little kid" and safety should be measured in light of that fact. I am stressing that the programmer who backs into your robot, the field resetter who bumps your robot cart while moving around in the dark off field or the inspector who is reaching in to check wiring or breakers doesn't get hurt.

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

As long as the robot is disabled there is both a latch and the pistons keeping the kicker stored, I would consider the pistons to be the "fail safe" feature.

I don't think I would leave any unsupervised robot energized and/or turned on with inexperienced users, that just seems like a bad idea in the first place!

Energized pneumatics system could cause hearing damage if discharged improperly, almost any piston has enough force to hurt someone pretty badly in the wrong circumstance, and there are numerable things that could go wrong with the electrical system. Hands can get caught in chains, overheating motors can burn... I could go on...

My point being that these robots aren't little-kid-proof, and they never will be, there will always be some risk involved with working with a FIRST robot. I think we've done the best reasonable job we can do of minimizing that risk.

Mr. James,

Please don't put words in my mouth because I cause myself enough trouble already...

I never said the robot would be on. I said in the condition that you will enter and leave the field or travel though the pits or enter the sizing box for inspection...

Many teams will want their robots to do these tasks with springs loaded and/or pneumatics charged and I have absolutely no philosophical problem with that. As long as it is done safely...

My primary concern is for your students as they carry the robot on and off the field. But my elementary school analogy is not really that far off base. Realize that, while "children under 12 must be accompanied in the Pit by an adult at all times" and I am sure you would never leave your robot unsupervised, the Pit is a chaotic and very crowded environment. Little fingers will reach out to explore and it only takes a second...

As you describe your system, it sounds like it would take a double failure to cause an accidental deployment. If so, and I can not say for sure until I see it, you will have no problem with me.

Having said that, I know that I will see many mechanisms which I will find lacking. I have been doing this for 16 years now. I have been injured by my own creations and by the creations of others. As an example, a few tears ago, the top of my head was cut by a robot arm while I was inspecting the operation of gears within the drive train. I had them file the sharp edge smooth but spent the rest of the day with blood matted in my hair...

I would be most interested if you can find any team who has found me to be unfair in my past inspections. Regardless, both you and I have a responsibility to insure the safety of those around us. Just as your team has done "the best reasonable job we can do of minimizing that risk", I will do the best reasonable job I can do to insure that you have.

I look forward to talking to you in Hartford.

Regards,

Mike

[JamesCH95]

I did not mean to put words in your mouth! I'm sorry if it came across that way. You strike me as very reasonable. I think we're on the same page here and I hope we don't give you TOO hard a time in CT