The holes in the bridge are for?

[JohnA888]

"The top surface of each bridge includes and array of 15 small holes, details of which are included in the official field drawings." I have seen the drawings and was wondering what the purpose of the holes were. Anyone have any ideas?

[Shu2137]

They are there to hold the balls from rolling around pre-match. Not saying they could not be used for anything else...

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by Shu2137

They are there to hold the balls from rolling around pre-match. Not saying they could not be used for anything else...

Well, that makes sense. And a maximum of 14 balls can be held on the Coopertition ramp, so the 15 fits there.

[PiManIII]

Where can I find these dimensions? I tried looking in the manual, but there are no specific dimensions. Any thoughts?

[vhcook]

Originally Posted by PiManIII

Where can I find these dimensions? I tried looking in the manual, but there are no specific dimensions. Any thoughts?

You need to look at the field drawings for specific dimensions.

[PiManIII]

After looking through all of that material, I still could not locate the size of the holes and the proper spacing. I'm assuming that the holes are predrilled when given to fields, but how can we replicate this with our version (plywood)?

[D.Allred]

Originally Posted by PiManIII

After looking through all of that material, I still could not locate the size of the holes and the proper spacing. I'm assuming that the holes are predrilled when given to fields, but how can we replicate this with our version (plywood)?

Game Specific Drawings - Sheet number GE 12095 - page 106 in the pdf file.

[SteveJanesch]

The holes are 1-1/8" diameter, and will wind up being 1/8" deep. At that depth, it's probably just to steady the balls at the beginning of the match.

- Steve

[Elgin Clock]

I didn't even think it would be for steadying the balls at the beginning of the match. The manual *I believe* is very vague as to the position of the placement of the balls, but this COULD be a possibility. Random placements at the beginning of the match (ala 2005 tetra placements at the start of a match) maybe?

Aside from that discussion, my first thought for the purpose behind the holes (which I'm surprised no one brought up yet) would be a deterrent to add a vacuum suction cup to the bottom of your robot to hold yourself in place.

This was assumed by myself & some of my other veteran team members from experiencing first hand teams doing this in the past for games (2006 actually comes to mind - or any other year with a surface similar to the plastic(ish) top of this year's ramps.

Do the "holes" actually go all the way go through the top most ramp material to let air/other things fall through, or are they just countersinks?

[Aren Siekmeier]

The field drawings show them as thru holes in the top layer of polycarbonate.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by compwiztobe

The field drawings show them as thru holes in the top layer of polycarbonate.

Well then... My first impression is the one I'm sticking with. A deterrent for attaching yourself to the ramp permanently at any time during the match with a suction cup of any kind.

[Aren Siekmeier]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Well then... My first impression is the one I'm sticking with. A deterrent for attaching yourself to the ramp permanently at any time during the match with a suction cup of any kind.

There is already <G10> making attaching to field structures illegal, so this might already be covered. Besides, what advantage would anchoring yourself with a sunction cup present? You are now unable to adjust your wait to facilitate balancing, and you got up there in the first place so tipping is hopefully not a concern.

It seems very likely to me that the holes are for the balls.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Well then... My first impression is the one I'm sticking with. A deterrent for attaching yourself to the ramp permanently at any time during the match with a suction cup of any kind.

This question has been answered on the Q&A:

Originally Posted by Q&A

Q. Re: [G05] Where specifically are the Basketballs placed on each bridge? Is each alliance allowed to select the position of the 2 balls on their own alliance bridge? Where are unused Basketballs allotted to Robots placed on the Coopertition Bridge? Where are the 2 “regular” Coopertition Bridge
A. Balls will be placed in any of the 15 holes in the surface of the Bridge. Exact locations are not specifically defined and will be determined by the field reset crew at the event.