Minibot

[EricH]

Those of us that downloaded the encrypted manual haven't been able to find an answer either. Q&A opens on Wednesday, by tradition.

However, I would advise against shooting one, due to reasons I've already discussed.

FYI: after you post, you can edit posts for a certain period of time. The edit button is at the bottom right corner of the post.

[Stephie]

Originally Posted by EricH

Those of us that downloaded the encrypted manual haven't been able to find an answer either. Q&A opens on Wednesday, by tradition.

However, I would advise against shooting one, due to reasons I've already discussed.

FYI: after you post, you can edit posts for a certain period of time. The edit button is at the bottom right corner of the post.

how tall is the pole?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Stephie

how tall is the pole?

From Section 2, about 122 inches up. And, before you ask, depending exactly where you hit it, you'll need about 2-4 N to trip it.

BTW, as Gary pointed out, there is no rule saying that the minibot must stay up. However, the first Update may change that, and if not, the Q&A will probably be asked. In other words, it may or may not stay that way.

[Stephie]

i have a couple of other questions, my team n i dont have the rules yet due to the rest of the world try'n to get the rules all @ the same timeP:

*can we use external power for the minibot?
*what is the pole made out of?
*can you take only one minibot into the arena?
*is there a floor line that leads to the pole so we can line up a minibot?
*can we control the minibot via remote once released from the large robot?

if u can answer these questions for me that would b AWSOME!!!!

[Superllama12]

We were debating this, and we raised this question; however, we came to the conclusion that if anything were left at the bottom at all, it would definitely exceed the 12" dimensions on the minibot. Good luck!

EDIT: Just found this in the rules:
<R101> If a MINIBOT is rejected by inspectors due to a safety issue or concern related to the team’s method of storing energy, the concerned items must be disabled or removed from the MINIBOT before it can compete in a MATCH. The team bears the burden of proof that such a rejection is not valid. Teams should be prepared to provide justifiable test data or calculations during inspection to support their design.

Storing energy in the form of pneumatic pressure or a spring to launch it is probably considered, as someone said before, a safety violation

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Stephie

i have a couple of other questions, my team n i dont have the rules yet due to the rest of the world try'n to get the rules all @ the same timeP:

*can we use external power for the minibot?
*what is the pole made out of?
*can you take only one minibot into the arena?
*is there a floor line that leads to the pole so we can line up a minibot?
*can we control the minibot via remote once released from the large robot?

if u can answer these questions for me that would b AWSOME!!!!

This is why the encrypted manual is released. It's so that you download it ahead of time and avoid the rush. Guess a lot of people missed that memo this year.

The answers can be found in Game Section 4, Game Section 2, unknown, Game Section 2, and Game Section 3.

In order, No attachment, but there is a battery allowed, Steel, unknown, Yes, Not if you want to get points, and there is a risk of hurting your entire alliance (Short version: If you don't get to the top, the first pole on your alliance is not counted)

[Grim Tuesday]

I think the biggest problem with spring loaded minibots are that there are no springs in the FTC KOP.

[Superllama12]

Sorry for having so many posts, but I just found a rule that PROHIBITS ANY LAUNCHING MECHANISM WITH STORED ENERGY INCLUDING PNEUMATICS, SPRINGS, AND OTHERS NOT MENTIONED!!!

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Superllama12

Sorry for having so many posts, but I just found a rule that PROHIBITS ANY LAUNCHING MECHANISM WITH STORED ENERGY INCLUDING PNEUMATICS, SPRINGS, AND OTHERS NOT MENTIONED!!!

Really? Then why are there rules about stored energy devices? (Blue box on <R01>, <R90>)

You should quote or cite any rules that support any conclusions you make.

[Grim Tuesday]

I don't see that rule.

The only rules that mention springs, explicitly allow them, unless deemed unsafe.

<R01> Energy used by FRC ROBOTS, (i.e., stored at the start of a MATCH), shall come only from
the following sources:
A. Electrical energy derived from the onboard 12V battery (see Rule <R34> for specifications
and further details).
B. Compressed air stored in the pneumatic system, stored at a maximum pressure of 120 PSI.
C. A change in the altitude of the ROBOT center of gravity.
D. Storage achieved by deformation of ROBOT parts.

Teams must be very careful when incorporating springs or other items to store
energy on their ROBOT by means of part or material deformation. A ROBOT may be
rejected at inspection if, in the judgment of the inspector, such items are unsafe.

[De_Code_Master]

In the introduction section of the manual, the definition of DEPLOYMENT is :

"DEPLOYMENT-- the act of positioning a MINIBOT on the TOWER. DEPLOYMENT starts when the MINIBOT breaks the vertical projection of the TOWER BASE circumference during the END GAME."

This seems to say that once it enters the platform, the minibot counts as being deployed if it is "positioned" or attached to the tower somehow. So if you interpret it that way, it means you can't shoot a minibot at the sensor, because it wouldn't get positioned on the tower. Just my $0.02. Someone on my team also suggested popping a little minibot out at the sensor, like a tennis ball machine, and this was my rebuttal.

[ThePeracha]

If it passes the whole pole up and just merely touches the sensor at the top, is that considered deployment? If it isn't, then won't we able to just launch at the sensor, considering they can withstand the force?

[Wendy Holladay]

What if you had a very, very light minibot that was clamped to the tower pole and launched upwards through some spring-based launcher on your hostbot. It would fly upward, connected to the pole, and then contact and trigger the top. Then it would fall back down the pole. Is that legal?

[EricH]

Quick hint: deployment above the deployment line is strictly illegal. So is intentionally detaching parts from your robot. So is doing unsafe things, quite possibly including launching hard metal/plastic objects 10 feet in the air.

[Bjenks548]

I think some people are confused. The robot is not launching the minibot from the ground to the top of the pole, merely from the bottom of the poll (after being attached) up to the top. I really don't see how this would be a safety issue and i can't find anything that says the minibot needs to climb the pole under its own power, instead of kinetic energy given to it from the now Hostbot.