MiniBot - Can I use a spring?

[Barry Bonzack]

Originally Posted by Sean Raia

there is nothing saying its illegal.

Yet.

I agree with above posts to watch the Q&A forum and game manual updates for clarifications on what the hostbot is allowed to do.

[Alan Anderson]

Team Update #1 clarifies <G19> to make spring-launching a MINIBOT illegal. The HOSTBOT can't give any upward motion to the MINIBOT. The MINIBOT must climb using only a motor powered by its battery, with no other stored energy permitted.

Oh, well.

[ncordova1993]

yes thats true.

Team 151 in NH has done some prototyping of the "projectile minibot" and it's very inconstant. This is because the initial force that a spring or piston would provide would have to have little tolerance for the minibot to hit the plate between 2-4 Newtons. Meaning, X amount of force will hopefully be provided by the spring....every single time. Also if that plate shatters, your team is going to get some harsh criticism for making a very unsafe robot.

Be sure to check out an official FIRST Week 0 competition on Feb. the 19th in Nashua, NH. There will a 2011 official field, scoring system (that was made by FIRST), the Game design committee and special guests! Contact paradisem1@gmail.com for more info

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by ncordova1993

yes thats true.

Team 151 in NH has done some prototyping of the "projectile minibot" and it's very inconstant. This is because the initial force that a spring or piston would provide would have to have little tolerance for the minibot to hit the plate between 2-4 Newtons. Meaning, X amount of force will hopefully be provided by the spring....every single time. Also if that plate shatters, your team is going to get some harsh criticism for making a very unsafe robot.

Be sure to check out an official FIRST Week 0 competition on Feb. the 19th in Nashua, NH. There will a 2011 official field, scoring system (that was made by FIRST), the Game design committee and special guests! Contact paradisem1@gmail.com for more info

Sounds interesting. Can you see if someone (whether FIRST or a team) can provide a web stream of this event? I'm sure many other teams would benefit from being able to watch the game in action.

[Frenchie461]

<R92> I don't see where a spring would be allowed, maybe in section S. Mechanical Hardware. and <G19> no stored energy for vertical motion..

[Maj333]

If we can't use a spring , can we use elastic ?

[synth3tk]

Originally Posted by Maj333

If we can't use a spring , can we use elastic ?

No.

[Maj333]

ok