Well,
It is that time again and there is a lot to consider. It seems that teams all over the world are having some issues with bumper rules this year. It matters little whether they are rookies or veterans. So here goes my first installment…
Bumpers are required to cover all external corners of your FRAME PERIMETER for at least 8 inches, measured from every corner of your frame. R19. This means all corners, no exceptions and the measurement is the frame backing the bumper segment, not the bumper segment.
If your FRAME side is less than 8" long, then the entire side must be covered by bumper.
Bumpers are noodles covered by rugged cloth attached to a backing board and mounted on the FRAME PERIMETER of your robot in the BUMPER ZONE. Anything that does not meet this criteria is not a bumper. Backing board not covered by noodles and fabric is not a bumper. Metal that is attached to your bumper but is not covered by your bumper system is not a bumper.
Bumpers may not move during a match and the BUMPER ZONE will be evaluated by your robot inspector while your robot is sitting flat on the floor of the pit during inspection.
Bumpers are not part of the robot for withholding allowance or for Bag and Tag rules. However, they are part of your robot when it is “On Stage”. Don’t you want your entire robot to look great? Take the effort, you have time.
There are many threads about team numbers here on CD. Team numbers (numerals only, please) must be on your bumpers per R28. The Q&A has been very specific, all parts of the numerals must meet the specification of 1/2" stroke.
Bumpers do not have to be at the same height all around your robot. The front bumper can be higher than the back bumper. But, all bumper segments **have to reside in the BUMPER ZONE **between 4" and 12" above the floor when the robot is sitting on the floor.
Bumpers are two, stacked pool noodles, per Figure 4-7. **Bumpers are not **one noodle, one and half noodle, shaved noodles to reduce diameter, cutouts in the backing board(s), fabric with no noodles, or any other creative interpretation of Section 4.7.
Bumpers are designed to keep you playing in a game that is likely to produce agressive interaction with other robots. We want you to play every match you are scheduled for.
Good luck everyone.
This is a good question. We used the AM slick material, and it is significantly thinner than the standard Cordura fabric. Considering it’s sold specifically for use as bumper material, I’m confident it’s legal, but it’d be nice to make sure that all RIs are on the same page with the thinner fabric.
I usually run the pointy end of a nail across the fabric and see if it rips - jk.
It can be hard to tell. There are some really light weight durable fabrics out there. Expensive, but that is their choice. I usually let the LRI know.
The issue usually resolves itself rather quickly. If it rips during bumper to bumper contact, it isn’t durable enough. At some point, you won’t be let back on the field until the bumper is fully repaired (not just patched with fabric tape).
D. be covered with a rugged, smooth cloth. (multiple layers of cloth and seams are permitted if needed to accommodate R27, provided the cross section in Figure 4-7 is not significantly altered).
Silk or bedding are not considered rugged materials, however 1000D Cordura is. Tape (e.g. gaffer’s tape) matching the BUMPER color is allowed to patch small holes on a temporary basis.
This wording of this rule is intentionally wide to permit cloth available in different parts of the US and internationally. The 1000D Cordura is my cloth of choice and the basis for comparison of other fabric. Inspectors have seen teams try to use a variety of fabrics over the years. Many held up in battle and many did not. In general, if you can see through it, if it is intended for clothing or it available in flowered patterns as well as solid colors it is likely not to survive this game. The smooth refers to fabrics that have woven in features like corduroy, etc. I believe the intent is to prevent you robot from getting caught (by the bumper fabric) on field pieces, borders and other robots.
If your fabric is the type used in laptop cases, back packs and luggage, it is likely to survive inspection and the game.
G19 ROBOTS may not intentionally detach or leave parts on the FIELD.
Violation: FOUL. DISABLED if structurally non-compliant or the Team number or ALLIANCE color is
ambiguous.
This rule is not intended to penalize ROBOTS that encounter accidental
breakage (e.g. a failed MECHANISM that falls off), as those actions are
not intentional. G19-1 ROBOTS must be in compliance with Section 4 (4.7 BUMPER Rules) throughout the MATCH.
Violation: DISABLED
Teams, be aware also of Update 13 (which came out yesterday). See bolded font above. Build your bumpers ROBUST and NEAT! No more hanging/dragging or otherwise loose fabric dragging outside the bumper zone.
This. Back in 2013. Ultimate Ascent. Our team’s reversible bumper material was dragging outside the bumper zone when we went for our 10point climb/hang. So, our bumpers dragging the ground when the rest of the robot was hanging cost us the match/quarterfinal round at South Florida that year.
This year it looks as if the rule will DISABLE your robot entirely for the rest of the match. Yikes! keep those bumpers ON clean everybody!
