Bumpers and Team Number

[je2164]

According to the 2012 manual I can't find that it says the numbers can not be split up. Are you just saying that to make sure there is no confusion of what your number is? We have our number split up but if you are looking at the robot head on you'll see 43 76. I did not see that this isn't legal. Is it up to interpretation?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by je2164

According to the 2012 manual I can't find that it says the numbers can not be split up. Are you just saying that to make sure there is no confusion of what your number is? We have our number split up but if you are looking at the robot head on you'll see 43 76. I did not see that this isn't legal. Is it up to interpretation?

It is not up to interpretation. Well, if Q&A is up to interpretation, then it could be...

From 1/19:
Game - The Robot » Bumper Rules
Q. We have a u-shaped robot, so will have split front bumpers. Can we split the our numbers; say "33" on the right and the "52" on the left or do all of the numbers need to be on one side of the robot? It may be a tight fit with the new number size criteria.
A. Per [R35], team numbers must be clearly visible. This means that they may not be inverted, obscured, fragmented, upside down, etc.

From 1/13:
Game - The Robot » Bumper Rules » R35
Q. We are deciding to use a square U frame. So, we have to split the 4th bumper into 2 sections. Because of this, we can't decide how to place "3490" on our Bumper. Should we place the 4 numbers on 1 side, or should we split 34 and 90 across the Bumper. R35 doesn't explain how to handle this situation.
A. Per [R35] team numbers must be "clearly visible from a distance of not less than 100 ft, so that judges, referees, and announcers can easily identify competing Robots." Thus they may not be obscured in any way (disconnected, out of order, rotated, upside-down, mirror imaged, etc).


If you look at them from 100' away, with nothing in the way, you're just fine. But if you happen to be under defense, you could be mistaken for the Killer Bees (team 33), due to the other robot(s) blocking the "52" on the other bumper. This is why the GDC is being so persnickety...but I wish they'd make this clear in the Manual.

[nighterfighter]

All the teams attending Peachtree received this email from the LRI...

TL;DR version- Having split numbers is NOT allowed (yet). Meaning that 4 digit teams are going to have a hard time.

Peachtree Regional FIRST Teams,As we near the end of the Build Period, I want to make all teams competing at the Peachtree aware of what may be an issue for some teams. Bumpers frequently present issues during the inspection process – and this year perhaps more so as the result of some specific rule requirements. In particular, the requirement for a minimum bumper segment of 8” appears to be causing some confusion for teams, based on the Q&A activity. Also, there appears to be confusion on the proper placement of the required team numbers. The Rules are very explicit in the size, style, and placement of the team’s identifying numbers, and with the need for Referees and field personnel to be able to clearly and quickly identify a robot, these will be enforced.One issue has arisen concerning these requirements. The 8” bumper segment does NOT allow for 4 digit team numbers to fit. The Game Design Committee has been asked, in the Q&A, about the acceptability of “splitting” a team’s number between multiple bumper sections to allow a maximum opening for ball collection. They have repeatedly responded with requiring the team number to “not be fragmented” and have determined that a “split” number will NOT be acceptable. The Inspectors have contacted the GDC and explained the issue but until a rules change is issued in a team update, we will be enforcing the current GDC ruling at Peachtree – and I would expect at other events as well.I have attached an extract of the Q&A that addresses these issues for your information. Q&A rulings are considered “official” – Chief Delphi comments and answers are not.
Please send your questions directly to Jeff Rees at [hidden]
Regards,
Jeff Rees
Lead Robot Inspector
Peachtree Regional

Here is the relevant Q&A answer-

Q. We have a u-shaped robot, so will have split front bumpers. Can we split the our
numbers; say "33" on the right and the "52" on the left or do all of the numbers need to be
on one side of the robot? It may be a tight fit with the new number size criteria.

A. Per [R35], team numbers must be clearly visible. This means that they may not be inverted,
obscured, fragmented, upside down, etc.

[IKE]

There were several questions in the Q&A about trying to fit 4 numbers on the minimum bumper length. Attached is a template that I hope will help some teams work through the issue presenting legible numbers.

Legible numbers are important for getting recognition by field staff, judges, and scouting. Every year, there are a couple of teams that I see minimal data on from my scouts because the numbers are difficult to read.

Bumper Numbering Template by IKE

[Cal578]

The minimum length of the bumper is 8 inches along the frame. Add in the thickness of the plywood and noodle, and you'll have 11.25 inches from the outside corner to the inside edge of the bumper.

The digits need to be 4 inches high, and 3/4 inch stroke width. There is no specification on the digit width, except that it must be clearly legible. So pick a simple font, don't put too much space in between digits, and it should fit. Our team is a 3-digit number, so we have room to spare. 4-digit teams will probably need to use almost all available space.