Everyone,
I want to remind teams that the bumper rules have minor changes but much of the section remains the same. With the challenge of picking up notes from the floor, you may be considering methods to change the outline and shape of the bumper for that purpose. Please be note that you may not change the shape of the pool noodles by trimming or cutting them, or using any method to compress the noodles. If you build your bumpers using the rules (See also Fig 8-6) and Bumper Guide on the FRC website, and then mount them so that the top of the bumper is at 7-1/2", there should be ~2-1/2 inch clearance between the bottom of the bumper and the floor. Please check R408 C, Blue Box. There has been a slight change in the definition and tolerance of pool noodle dimensions.
Hope you are well on your way to completing your robot and practicing often.
I’d also like to add if you haven’t done wrap-around bumpers before, make sure you leave some space for the fabric material between your bumper and the frame! Make sure it’s at least 1/16" between the wood and the frame of your robot. Our team has done wrap-around bumpers exclusively since 2022 so feel free to ask us on our OA thread if you have questions!
The biggest change to the bumper rules this year is that the bumper must completely cover all sides of the robot (horizontally; nothing above or below], leaving no gaps larger than half an inch.
NO CORNER ONLY BUMPERS!
bumper height at 7-1/2. bumper plywood 5" tall +/- 1/2"
bumper height 7-1/2"-4-1/2" tall bumper= 3" ground clearance.
I have always loved that ± 1/2" rule. 
These are our practice bumpers that we are working on. I think these noodles and layout meet all the requirements in the rules (well they will when wrapped with fabric). The highest point when mounted is about 7 1/4 from the floor the plywood is between 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches in all places. Noodles are of legal size. Please let me know if we are missing anything.
Yes to both designs above. That is the intent of the rules that have been in place for many years.
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