Are you actually using bumpers?

[Chriszuma]

I know that my team kind of brushed aside the notion of spending extra time, money and energy to add bumpers that will make our robot look less cool and less maneuverable. We also kind of figured that most teams will have them anyway, so it would be unnecessary (kind of the "If everyone else is a good driver I don't have to be" approach). We also don't feel like the 15 pounds will be anything close to a deal-breaker when push comes to shove.

Anyway, I was wondering how many teams actually are going to add bumpers, and whether or not it will affect the competition at all. Your thoughts?

(A search turned up only a 2002 thread about bumpers, not really applicable anymore)

[Jared Russell]

YES! 15 free lbs is great - especially since they can help replace lexan for protection and team numbers in some areas.

Also - FIRST is all about parity these days. 70% of the teams use either the kit, AndyMark, or Dewalt transmissions with about the same gear ratios, IFI or AndyMark or similar style traction wheels, use the same motors, and weigh the same. Having some extra weight can't hurt in a pushing match.

They also look pretty swell in my opinion!

[Chriszuma]

Originally Posted by Abwehr

YES! 15 free lbs is great - especially since they can help replace lexan for protection and team numbers in some areas.

Also - FIRST is all about parity these days. 70% of the teams use either the kit, AndyMark, or Dewalt transmissions with about the same gear ratios, IFI or AndyMark or similar style traction wheels, use the same motors, and weigh the same. Having some extra weight can't hurt in a pushing match.

They also look pretty swell in my opinion!

Well I'm sorry I just sort of assumed they wouldn't look good, but i think pool noodles and fabric just wouldn't fit well with our theme of shiny objects (the T3 mantra: "If it's not shiny, what's the point?")

[Rickertsen2]

Bumpers have been in the back of my mind, but we havn't really given that much serious thought to them. It will probably be one of those ship weekend afterthought add-ons.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Chriszuma

Well I'm sorry I just sort of assumed they wouldn't look good, but i think pool noodles and fabric just wouldn't fit well with our theme of shiny objects (the T3 mantra: "If it's not shiny, what's the point?")

You could use shiny silver fabric.

[Chriszuma]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

You could use shiny silver fabric.

Yeah, but then we would look like one of those shoddily-built props from an 80's science fiction movie.

[dude__hi]

Our frame is built to be sturdy enough to take lots of hits, the bumbers would probably help but we don't feel that we need them...

[Bharat Nain]

We don't have a frame, just bumpers.

[Elgin Clock]

Arghh.. After dealing with the COTS rule for the most however many years in FIRST and for the most part not having any problem with it, I am extremely disappointed in the non-COTS that FIRST have given us for supplies this year.

First it was a lack of finding the game balls, albeit one main supplier, a few rate hikers, or a chance encounter at a local store..

Now it is the fact that the bumper material material can only be bought on a few places on-line, and has a lead time of 4 weeks, oh.. and did I mention that the FIRST forums say that by the rules the bumpers have to be shipped with the robot?

So, pretty much what we have here is that if you didn't decide to have bumpers part of your robot from week 1 or 2, you are not getting them on your robot legally unless you use a less reliable fabric (also per the forums) vinyl, on your bumpers.

I rarely get this frustrated with FIRST, but this non-COTS for items mandatory (if you decide to use them) has got to stop!!!!
I hope this is discussed in a rules update soon, or someone from FIRST explains what a true same strength ("or similar material") is.


Andy-Mark, if you guys are listening, please, please.. if bumpers are an option next year, order the material ahead of time and I will order it right from you.

[Greg Marra]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Now it is the fact that the bumper material material can only be bought on a few places on-line, and has a lead time of 4 weeks, oh.. and did I mention that the FIRST forums say that by the rules the bumpers have to be shipped with the robot?

I'm pretty sure our team got our bumper fabric from a local crafts store. Have you tried buying it at a store instead of online?

[Veselin Kolev]

No bumpers for our robot, how about 1/16" aluminum plate all around?
And what is this, anodized black??? Oh the horror.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Greg Marra

I'm pretty sure our team got our bumper fabric from a local crafts store. Have you tried buying it at a store instead of online?

Yes, I have looked at a bunch of fabric stores, and we have a person checking an upholstery place today for the "correct fabric" (Cordura).

Greg, please PM me with the details of your post. I would like to make this happen before ship, and am losing hope of having the "correct" material (Cordura).

Thanks.

[Courtneyb1023]

1023 is using bumpers and they are finished. They were relatively inexpensive and didn't take long to make. All in all, I think that they are worth the time and expense.

Also, we ordered out Cordura on line and were able to get a discount and it came in pretty quickly.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Now it is the fact that the bumper material material can only be bought on a few places on-line, and has a lead time of 4 weeks, oh.. and did I mention that the FIRST forums say that by the rules the bumpers have to be shipped with the robot?

Did you try www.ahh.biz ? That's where we got our material, it was shipped and received in a few days. (Top of Google ad list.)

I wouldn't castigate FIRST too much over this issue. You knew from Jan 7 what was required for bumpers. I am reminded of the saying that pops up on cubicles from time to time: "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Arghh.. After dealing with the COTS rule for the most however many years in FIRST and for the most part not having any problem with it, I am extremely disappointed in the non-COTS that FIRST have given us for supplies this year.

First it was a lack of finding the game balls, albeit one main supplier, a few rate hikers, or a chance encounter at a local store..

Now it is the fact that the bumper material can only be bought on a few places on-line, and has a lead time of 4 weeks, oh.. and did I mention that the FIRST forums say that by the rules the bumpers have to be shipped with the robot?

So, pretty much what we have here is that if you didn't decide to have bumpers part of your robot from week 1 or 2, you are not getting them on your robot legally unless you use a less reliable fabric (also per the forums) vinyl, on your bumpers.

I rarely get this frustrated with FIRST, but this non-COTS for items mandatory (if you decide to use them) has got to stop!!!!
I hope this is discussed in a rules update soon, or someone from FIRST explains what a true same strength ("or similar material") is.


Andy-Mark, if you guys are listening, please, please.. if bumpers are an option next year, order the material ahead of time and I will order it right from you.

YESSSSS!!!!!! Finally.. some successful hunting in the elusive bumper outer material woes.

So, apparently this material is more suited to buy at an automotive upholstery shop than a fabric/craft store.

If anyone is going to make bumpers this last week of build in time to ship them with your robot (which apparently is required) go to an automotive upholstery shop.

We got ours finally, and in a team color. Sweet!

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

Did you try www.ahh.biz ? That's where we got our material, it was shipped and received in a few days. (Top of Google ad list.)

I heard (from another CD poster) that ahh.biz folks had a large lead time to buy them as well, and some other issues, so I didn't want to go with them and run into the same problems.

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

I wouldn't castigate FIRST too much over this issue. You knew from Jan 7 what was required for bumpers. I am reminded of the saying that pops up on cubicles from time to time: "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."

If they were mandatory to be on your robot I would agree with you, but requiring an optional item to be shipped within a deadline of 6 weeks when some teams don't think they want to use them until week 5 or 6, just is not right by my thoughts.

If it is optional, I don't see why it can't be made after week 6, and brought to the competition when you arrive on Thursday.

To me, that boggles my mind.

What about teams who come to their first regional expecting to not use bumpers, and then want to use them between their first regional and second, or regional and Championship event.

Are they not allowed to make bumpers, cause they had to be made (and shipped with the bot) within the 6-week time?