[FTC]: More assistance...

[HAL3019]

Thanks everyone for the help before! I have a couple more questions that other might have asked, or are asking. The first being, how do you mount the Tetrix metal to PVC tube? I mean screws get in the way, and I'm not too keen on the adhesive rules. The second question is regarding the LabVIEW 2009 (or 2010, whichever came with the kit). Does anyone know of block updates and could provide a link? Our sister team has a blockset we don't (the move motor group) and I don't remember it being in the first installation.

[qwertyuiop[]\]

Regarding the PVC pipe, you just have to drill holes in it and bolt it on. if you are trying to spin the tube like an axle, i suggest taking one to the pieces of channel that has only one set of holes in it,the 1x1x1 piece. Then drill two hole through the pvc pipe on the vertical axis that line up with two of the holes in the hole pattern. then you need some bolts that are extra long that dont come in the kit but are included in "related hardware". use spacers to space the tube to the center of the piece. bolt it together and now you have a mount.it looks kind of like this(double lines or the metal single are the tube stars are the bolts, disregard dots.
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..*||**|*****|**||*
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sorry for the lack of pictures. ill try to post some soon.

[HAL3019]

Thanks, but we can't bolt it on, the bolt would get in the way of the ball. The pipe is acting as an exit tube because we can control the path of the ball better... are adhesives for the metal to PVC allowed?

[Andrew Remmers]

use flush bolts on the inside facing out if that would work

[Al Skierkiewicz]

From the manual
<R5> c. The following additional components may also be used:

5. Polycarbonate glue/cement is allowed, only for the joining of polycarbonate pieces. Use of polycarbonate glues/cements may or may not be allowed in the pits at tournaments based on site-specific rules or requirements.

12. PVC cement and cleaner (only for gluing PVC). Use of PVC cements and cleaners may or may not be allowed in the pits at tournaments based on site-specific rules or requirements.

<R9> Parts may NOT be modified as follows:
Welding, soldering (except as listed below), brazing, gluing, melting or attaching in any way that is not provided within the TETRIX System will NOT be allowed.

Although slightly contradictory, PVC cements can be used to glue PVC to PVC and polycarbonate glues/cements for polycarbonate, but glues of any kind cannot be used to bind other robot parts together to form structural bonds. Threadlocker is the only exception when used on hardware only.

[HAL3019]

okay, now the compatible fastners include a flat head screw right? to drill thru the PVC and into the Tetrix?

[BLAQmx]

Originally Posted by HAL3019

The second question is regarding the LabVIEW 2009 (or 2010, whichever came with the kit). Does anyone know of block updates and could provide a link? Our sister team has a blockset we don't (the move motor group) and I don't remember it being in the first installation.

They are all in the Tetrix palette. These VIs are polymorphic meaning if you wire a single motor control to Move Motors it will move a single motors, if you wire an array of motor controls to Move Motors it will move that group.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by HAL3019

okay, now the compatible fastners include a flat head screw right? to drill thru the PVC and into the Tetrix?

Don't think so. Read the manual.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Ricksta

Don't think so. Read the manual.

Meaning...
<R5>, c. The following additional components may also be used:
13. Compatible mechanical fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.)

<R9> Parts may NOT be modified as follows:

Welding, soldering (except as listed below), brazing, gluing, melting or attaching in any way that is not provided within the TETRIX System will NOT be allowed.

Those two rules together says only use Tetrix Fasteners/screws.

[jamie_1930]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Meaning...
<R5>, c. The following additional components may also be used:
13. Compatible mechanical fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.)

<R9> Parts may NOT be modified as follows:

Welding, soldering (except as listed below), brazing, gluing, melting or attaching in any way that is not provided within the TETRIX System will NOT be allowed.

Those two rules together says only use Tetrix Fasteners/screws.

The rule states:
<R5>, c. The following additional components may also be used:
13. Compatible mechanical fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.)

Meaning if you have 6 - 32 screws of any length and shape go ahead and use them.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

One needs to read the Q&A for specific answers. This is but one in the "other parts and materials"...

This is in regard to the original question in post #2.

A: It is impossible for us to list and/or rule on all compatible or incompatible fasteners. However, information about the intent of the rule should provide sufficient guidance.

Rule <R5>c13 allows "compatible mechanical fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.)." The intent of this rule is to allow teams to use fasteners from any supplier that are substantially the same as TETRIX fasteners. Compatible fasteners are characterized by using the same thread characteristics as TETRIX fasteners. For example, an acceptable substitute for the TETRIX 6-32 thread, 1/2" length socket head cap screw is a 6-32 thread, 3/4" length, button head cap screw purchased at a local hardware store.

Threaded rod with the same thread characteristics as TETRIX fasteners is basically a headless screw and would be an acceptable substitution as long as it is used as a fastener and not as a structural element.

[jamie_1930]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

One needs to read the Q&A for specific answers. This is but one in the "other parts and materials"...

This is in regard to the original question in post #2.

A: It is impossible for us to list and/or rule on all compatible or incompatible fasteners. However, information about the intent of the rule should provide sufficient guidance.

Rule <R5>c13 allows "compatible mechanical fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.)." The intent of this rule is to allow teams to use fasteners from any supplier that are substantially the same as TETRIX fasteners. Compatible fasteners are characterized by using the same thread characteristics as TETRIX fasteners. For example, an acceptable substitute for the TETRIX 6-32 thread, 1/2" length socket head cap screw is a 6-32 thread, 3/4" length, button head cap screw purchased at a local hardware store.

Threaded rod with the same thread characteristics as TETRIX fasteners is basically a headless screw and would be an acceptable substitution as long as it is used as a fastener and not as a structural element.

But a second in your earlier post you said that only tetrix fasteners maybe used. This is what I was clarifying that any screw that is 6-32 is considered compatible and may be used.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

The one refers to me. I thought I had read that in the Q&A last week so I went looking for it for the correct interpretation.