robot design question

[Rich Kressly]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Is width and depth defined in any particular direction relative to the robot travel?

Rule <R80> defines width and depth in the opposite directions for the driver station, 60" wide by 12" deep.

That's the magic question in my book...
I was comparing to the language from the 2008 manual, where R11 reads:
"Prior to the beginning of the MATCH, the ROBOT shall be placed in a STARTING CONFIGURATION that fits within the dimensions listed below: (with the exact same chart as this year)"

It seems to me the language in that opening sentence this year may be more restrictive to what length and depth are, not just restricting the overall size of the robot during the match. Perhaps it's a good question for Q&A.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Is width and depth defined in any particular direction relative to the robot travel?

I haven't seen anything that prevents your robot from having "sideways" wheels so that it travels "left" and "right" instead of "forward" and "backward", and the trailer hitch isn't required to be mounted on the "back" of the robot.

So even if the front of the robot is defined as the narrow side, the rules don't seem to make you put that front facing away from the trailer.

[Rich Kressly]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

I haven't seen anything that prevents your robot from having "sideways" wheels so that it travels "left" and "right" instead of "forward" and "backward", and the trailer hitch isn't required to be mounted on the "back" of the robot.

So even if the front of the robot is defined as the narrow side, the rules don't seem to make you put that front facing away from the trailer.

I'm inclined to start leaning your way Alan. Mind you the ONLY info I have right now is from the 2008 Q&A, but last year's manual had the same sizing chart and the wide body orientation was allowed in the Q&A in 2008. Should prob still be asked this year, but carry on with the wide design ideas....

[Madison]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

Are those short segments adjacent to the trailer proper 6" minimum lengths? (You count the plywood, not the foam.)

Out of curiosity, why do you think that the 6" length must be entirely backed by plywood?

I don't yet disagree, necessarily, but I'm trying to find a reason to.

[Kevin Sevcik]

I think the main obstacle to a design like this is how the GDC is going to define the "outer edge" of the robot. If they go with the convex hull sytle definition of the BUMPER PERIMETER, then all the easiest designs (seen above) are illegal. Then you'll have to come up with an even tinier robot that captures the trailer via the PVC pipes, or some support bars that articulate out from your robot when the match starts.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Madison

Out of curiosity, why do you think that the 6" length must be entirely backed by plywood?

I don't yet disagree, necessarily, but I'm trying to find a reason to.

<R08>
"A. BUMPERS must be built in segments, with a minimum length of six inches, ..."
"C. Each BUMPER segment must be backed by a piece of 3/4-inch thick by 5-inch tall piece of plywood."
"J. Corners and joints between BUMPER segments may be filled with short pieces of vertically oriented pool noodle, by wrapping the pool noodles around the corners, or by beveling the ends between adjacent segments so they form a tight and complete protective surface (see Figure 8 – 2)."

So foam can extend beyond the ends of the plywood to protect a robot corner, but the plywood must back up the entire bumper segment length.


And, maybe to answer my previous question, Figure 8-6 in the trailer hitch rule seems to show a wide-front robot. But then, the trailers in that figure aren't regular hexagons either, so maybe it's just a distorted drawing.

[Petey]

As far as I read the rules,

Originally Posted by Iceman1330

I think what you are talking about is this. (16"x36" contact base)






The red areas are the "blocking spaces where balls can't be thrown. All measurements are ballpark (within 1-2" accurate, Proof of Concept)

The robot fits in the "box" and hugs at least half of the trailer. Weight issues might be a problem, but if you make the shroud light enough and place the batteries and heavy stuff in front you might be OK.

this is a legal idea.

Although *hint hint* you may consider alternative orientations of the robot for more coverage!

[Matt times]

what program did u use to draw that? it seems really useful (msg 13)

[ExarKun666]

Just found this too:

D. The Trailer Hitch must be located on an outer edge of the ROBOT structure such that it may
easily connect with the tongue of the TRAILER (attached to the TRAILER).
E. The Trailer Hitch must be placed such that, as the TRAILER swings from side to side, the
first contact between the TRAILER and ROBOT is BUMPER-to-BUMPER and not TRAILER-
tongue-to-BUMPER (to prevent placing excessive stress upon, and possibly damaging, the
TRAILER tongue). See Figure 8-6.

This is all under <R18> so look at that once more, if there are no violations in your design I say it's all good.

[Otaku]

<r18> section D says outer edge, technically the inside of a bracket would be inside edge, thus illegal.

oh well.

[sbrumund]

The design would appear to be legal as you have bumper to bumper contact not bumper to trailer toung contace.

Keep in mind that with this configuration when you turn you will be sliding the trailer wheels sideways. Depending on the weight of the trailer your turning ability could be severely constricted.

We are considering a similar design but not for the trailer but for loading balls into the other teams trailers. This assumes we are fast and agile enough and to catch the other team.

[nahstobor]

Is the trailer hitch apart of the robot dimensions?

[SWIM]

Originally Posted by nahstobor

Is the trailer hitch apart of the robot dimensions?

Yeah, it is.

[Team2339]

OUR TEAM IS WONDERING IF THE HITCH IS PART OF THE ROBOTS DIMENSTION?

ANY INFORMATION ON THAT WOULD BE USEFUL.....THANK YOU

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Team2339

OUR TEAM IS WONDERING IF THE HITCH IS PART OF THE ROBOTS DIMENSTION?

ANY INFORMATION ON THAT WOULD BE USEFUL.....THANK YOU

Please don't shout here... (aka "Please turn off Caps Lock")

And it is not listed as being specifically excluded under <R11> A; therefore it is included. Plan accordingly.