Hi everyone,
We’re hoping that someone who is better at math than us can help us with a problem we’re having! We’re trying to figure out the exact distance between the auto-line and the outer-works. We’ve gotten a few different numbers, and we can’t finish our autonomous programming until we have the precise distance. ::rtm::
Any help would be much appreciated!
Team 5725 Cerberus
Want the easy way or the accurate way?
Go to this site which has all the info needed. Under field drawings, the third sheet of the Field Assembly file (PDFs) gives you most of the dimensions, just not the exact dimension you want. You’ll have to get the dimensions of the defense base, which is in the Field Component file (also a PDF file). It’s in there, but you’ll have to wade thru a lot of sheets to get all the dimensions. Deduct all those and you’ll have the dimension you want.
The easy way is to take that Field Assembly file, plot the third page to a plotter full sheet size (it’s to 1:32 scale), and measure the distance. If you lack a plotter that size (they are 24 x 36 inch sheets), you could always drop that third sheet into AutoCAD, bring it to full size, then measure it. (This is actually how I did it, double checking with the given dimensions.) Yeah, the sheet says “Do Not Scale” but if you need it down to the fraction of an inch (or even inches), you’re probably not going to have a good autonomous code. Don’t forget, are you deducting for the length of the robot? Are you going to place the robot (as you say) exact same position each time? Is the battery the same power level each time (less battery power the motors will act differently). Oh, the fun you will have! 
Even easier is to use a light sensor to detect the difference between carpet and the ramp.
Okay, I looked at our (Team/wood) field and it has 96 inches. And 96.5 inches. and a couple others around that. But we’ve been banging them around and I’m sure they are not accurate any more. Take it as you will.
Best and most accurate is via the field drawings.