Interpertation on Bumpers: Do the bumpers need to display the team numbers?

[Team 2524]

We have some old plexiglass that has our team number on it and we were going to mount that on the robot. Do we also need to put the team number on the bumpers?

I was curious since on the 2011 FRC inspection checklist for Logomotion mentions:

"Team number displayed with 4" tall x 3/4" stroke, on the bumpers, 4 locations at approximately 90 deg spacing, in contrasting color or background."

Thank you

[nighterfighter]

Yes, it needs to be on your bumpers, both the red and blue.

[vhcook]

And for the contrasting color, as a scout/scouting mentor, I strongly recommend something in the white/silver/bright yellow range. Black lettering looks fine close up, but it's nearly unreadable in the stands.

[nighterfighter]

Originally Posted by vhcook

And for the contrasting color, as a scout/scouting mentor, I strongly recommend something in the white/silver/bright yellow range. Black lettering looks fine close up, but it's nearly unreadable in the stands.

Yes! We have used a bright white color, and it looks fine on both red and blue bumpers.

If you do use black letters, at least put a thin white outline around them.

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by Team 2524

We have some old plexiglass that has our team number on it and we were going to mount that on the robot. Do we also need to put the team number on the bumpers?

If the piece of plexiglass with the team number was fabricated prior to this year's kickoff, you aren't allowed to use it on your robot.

Is it really plexiglass or lexan? I wouldn't recommend using plexiglass on a robot: it will shatter upon impact.

[Team 2524]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

If the piece of plexiglass with the team number was fabricated prior to this year's kickoff, you aren't allowed to use it on your robot.

Is it really plexiglass or lexan? I wouldn't recommend using plexiglass on a robot: it will shatter upon impact.

It is plexiglass and we still need to cut it.

[JaneYoung]

Why are you creating room for interpretation when there isn't any?

Jane

[EricH]

Plexiglass, AKA acrylic, shatters on impact. I've seen it happen, back in 2005 (and the robot that did the shattering drove up a steep angle to do it). That's why it's not recommended in any areas on the robot where it might get hit.

You may be thinking of polycarbonate, AKA Lexan, which doesn't shatter nearly as easily.

[Team 2524]

Well, the plexiglass will be located about 2-4ft off the ground. It will be connected the Arm frame which Doesn't hit something on impact >..<

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Team 2524

Well, the plexiglass will be located about 2-4ft off the ground. It will be connected the Arm frame which Doesn't hit something on impact >..<

I have seen supposedly safe plexi shattered.

There is no safe place on a FRC robot.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by IndySam

I have seen supposedly safe plexi shattered.

There is no safe place on a FRC robot.

Yep. That acrylic I mentioned earlier--the impact was at about 3.5-4 feet up. The "ramp" that was gone up could slow or stop a robot pretty well-- except that one. The other 3 sides of the tower shielding (running between arm supports) were Lexan and survived the rest of the season, as did the replacement Lexan panel.

[Cory]

The best place for acrylic is the trash can. There is never a situation on your robot where it would be a better choice than polycarbonate.

[GaryVoshol]

This isn't an interpretation. It's a reading of the rule:

<R09> Teams shall display their team number on the BUMPERS in four locations at approximately 90° intervals around the perimeter of the ROBOT. The numerals must be at least 4” high, at least in ¾” stroke width and in a contrasting color from its background. Team Numbers must be clearly visible from a distance of not less than 100 feet, so that judges, referees, and announcers can easily identify competing ROBOTS.

See how many times "must" and "shall" appear? You have to do it - numbers on the BUMPER, regardless of wherever else on the ROBOT they appear. Period.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Team 2524

Well, the plexiglass will be located about 2-4ft off the ground. It will be connected the Arm frame which Doesn't hit something on impact >..<

Let this be your guide... I predict 50% of the robots on the field will have an arm for scoring at least the center rows. That means at least one robot on the opposite alliance in every match will have extensions beyond their frame perimeter. Those arms will reach over six feet and can contact your plastic signage.

[kws4000]

Originally Posted by Cory

The best place for acrylic is the trash can. There is never a situation on your robot where it would be a better choice than polycarbonate.

For the past, what, 3 years now, we have used plexi for the electrical box, becouse it doesn't bend under load. Never had a problem. Asides from that, true, lexan is much more resilient under shock.