1" ratchet strap warning

[mastachyra]

In our many experiments for hanging, I was very diligent in finding a strap that would work. I was concerned that ratchet strap sold as 1 inch might actually be bigger than one inch. This concern was validated when, at Home Depot, I measured the thickness of every one inch strap I could get ahold of. Nearly every “one inch” strap was actually one inch plus change. Make sure your rope is less than one inch in thickness.

I’m wondering if this is going to cause big issues in week 1. I hope this warning saves at least one team the trouble of finding out their rope isn’t legal.

[John_Bottenberg]

@The Manual

ROPES have to be inspected. A Team must submit any ROPE they intend to use in a MATCH for Inspection. A ROPE must meet the following criteria (see Figure 9‑2 for letter references):

A. have a maximum width (W) of 1 in. (nominal) (e.g. exclusive of any knot widths)

It looks like they’re okay with ropes being wider than 1", as long as their “nominal” thickness is 1" or less. I searched the Q&A for clarity on the GDC’s definition of “nominal”:

@frc5970

Q570: “Nominal” size vs actual for bumper noodles - clarification needed

In the answer to question 401, you mentioned that “2.25 in nominal diameter” would not meet bumper requirements. We noticed that AndyMark has a pool noodle product (part # am-0837) approved for FRC bumpers that is listed as being " approximately 2.3-2.5 inches" in diameter (link: Pool Noodle Qty. 32 - AndyMark, Inc). Our pool noodles measure 2.35" - are they allowed by FRC rules?

@GDC

Answer

If the actual measured dimension is different from the nominal dimension, that’s not an issue (we don’t expect a particularly tight tolerance on water toys), provided the product is sold as a 2 1/2 in. noodle, per R29.

So it looks like a product’s “nominal” width is the width it was sold as. In your case, since the ratchet strap is sold as a 1" strap, it should be legal. If you are still unsure, you can ask a Q&A. Since my team is also using 1" ratchet straps (we never measured them to figure out if they were actually 1"), we may submit a question as well.

[marshall]

@John Bottenberg

I searched the Q&A for clarity on the GDC’s definition of “nominal”:

Check Merriam-Webster. :rolleyes:

[mastachyra]

Thanks for pointing that out. If 1/10th of an inch (the usual overage I found) isn’t “Nominal” I don’t know what is. It’d be hard to measure more precisely than that. So I guess they’re legal.

Luckily, I found some 3/4" strap that claims to have a 2000 lb. limit. So either way we’re good.

[Lil_Lavery]

That nominal thickness Q&A was in reference to bumper noodles. I wouldn’t assume that a robot inspector automatically accepts it when it comes to rope rules.

[Bluejackets]

We actually went through the same situation. We are using a “1 inch” ratchet strap as well. We found out the same thing that it is a little bigger. Our plan is to fold the strap in half and then sew on Velcro, non sticky back, in 11 1/2" increments. Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Good luck to all

[FrankJ]

Rule I04-A

A. have a maximum width (W) of 1 in. (nominal) (e.g. exclusive of any knot widths)

Keep in mind that I am neither the GDC, Al, or your LRI. But. Within the common definition of “nominal” is trade sizes and approximate sizes. So strap sold as 1" strap or webbing should be accepted even if its actual dimension is slightly over 1".