[FTC]: Source needed for FTC playing field mats.

Other FIRST Tech Challenge
1

We are a rookie team. What is the official mat source for the playing field mats. It is not on the field BOM. We want to replicate what is to be expected at the competition so that we can test traction coefficient on our wheels. Different drive configurations etc. .

We got a few panels of the black material from Harbor freight. But the 2 sides of the material have different traction coefficient with the normal “up” textured side being more slippery. Which side is FTC using upwards?

Frank
FTC 4314

2

I believe soft tiles are the competition surface mats. The smooth side is up and the surface that the robots drive upon. Grey is the competition color if you are planning on testing line following or other light sensor floor scenarios.

3

You can find accurate/accepted substitutes for the Softiles brand by going to a Lowes, Home Depot, or Toys-R-Us.

4

We get our tiles at BJ’s. Note that different mfgs tiles are incompatible. Some have an even set of fingers, some have one finger that is at an angle (offset) in the middle. Smooth side goes up, the marking tape sticks better to that side.

5

FTC Teams receive an education discount at Soft Tiles. The order needs to be placed over the telephone to receive the discount. https://www.softtiles.com/content/view/52/1/

FTC uses the Gray 2 x 2 mats that are 5/8" thick. https://www.softtiles.com/content/view/28/39/

6

Not sure how good the educational discount is from SoftTiles ($209 without), but I’ve posted these near identical ones in previous threads on this topic as they are only 1/8" thinner & cost just $90!

http://www.amazon.com/We-Sell-Mats-Anti-Fatigue-Interlocking/dp/B001HD6PMQ/ref=sr_1_51

Note that since these are not the exact same as those at the competition, there is the possibility of a slight color difference (important if you’re calibrating color sensors for line tracking). My own teams haven’t had any issues with these mats though as they really are nearly identical.
Always good to have options. :slight_smile:

7

Competition mats are 5/8" so these are a full 1/4" less in thinkness but field tolerances for element construction are more than that. If you use these for practice just know that you will be off in vertical dimensions to the elements mounted on the field perimeter while no difference for those elements sitting on the field surface::rtm::

APS

8

Good catch… I accidentally noted the difference as 1/8", but it is actually 1/4" as you point out.

We already have a custom paremeter made out of plywood and customize all wall mounted game elements as needed to work with our setup while being as close to the actual specs as possible, but always well within the 1" tolerance.