our robot has a metal cover over the entire electronic/motor/gears/everything. we need to know whether or not we will have to take it off for inspection because right now it is riveted to the frame. we could take it off with some force and about 2 hours of work, but we really dont know if it is necessary.
:eek: :mad: 
Can you see the RC from three feet in front of the robot? Can an inspector see the breaker panels? Pneumatics? Motors?
If the answer to any of those questions is âNoâ, you will need to at least modify it to allow for seeing through it. Especially the controller; you canât compete at all if you canât see it.
the top is hinged so that people can see into it and mess with stuff but being as it is made of metal you cannot see the stuff when the top is closed
Hinged so you can see in will probably fly at inspectionâŚbut the IFI folks are going to have a hard time seeing the RC through metal. You could probably cut a section out and put lexan or something of that sort in so the controller can be seen.
here are the pics:
](http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/48d8db80ff.jpg
](http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/3da733c66e.jpg
](http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/f8842f4cfe.jpg
](http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/1bf16bee13.jpg
](http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/086f523946.jpg
I recommend you replace those top metal panels with Polycarbonate (Lexan, etc). That should be sufficient to pass inspection and keep them visible pre-match.
Yeah⌠You look like a BattleBot with all that metal. The top should be Lexan; more than that probably wonât be necessary to change. (And itâs a relatively quick changeâget the metal off, and then use virtually the same attachment to put the Lexan on.
You do need to put a window in the top. It should be strong enough. Very nice skin though!
You may want to check out your radio range, too. The radios are usually pretty good⌠but you have placed yours inside a big conductive box!
If you donât want to pull the âlidâ from your robot, you could cut a window in in and cover the window in with lexan so that you can see the RC from 3â in front of the robot when it is in itâs starting configuration.
I like the look of this machine, though!
Jason
P.S. If you havenât already done so, donât forget to think about how you will access various components for repair during competition.
I agree with the posts thus far and to reiterateâŚ
<R72> The Robot Controller must be positioned within the ROBOT so that its indicator lights can be seen during inspection and when standing three feet in front of the ROBOT while the ROBOT is in the STARTING CONFIGURATION at the beginning of a MATCH. This will greatly facilitate analysis in case of problems.
As Jason has pointed out, your modem is your link during match play. To hide it behind sheet metal will cause loss of data and possible loss of handshake. In spite of the obvious external antenna, there is also an internal antenna. Remember this is a two way device, so there is a transmit and receive antenna. The modem should be mounted in a mostly vertical position to keep the same polarization as the field modems and away from large pieces of metal if at all possible.
I also noticed the 9 volt battery in your picturesâŚ
<R43> The only legal main source of electrical energy on the ROBOT during the competition is the 12VDC non-spillable lead acid battery provided in the 2008 Kit Of Parts.
and
<R45> Items specifically PROHIBITED from use on the ROBOT include:
ďˇď Primary 12v batteries different from those provided in the Kit Of Parts (i.e. manufacturer and part number must be the same as those provided in the Kit Of Parts)
ďˇď More than one primary battery, or more than one back-up battery
One last thing, I will be looking for sharp edges that may puncture people or playing field objects. So be ready to have all the edges checked over during inspection. I like the nice big window for the main breaker. Field personnel will be very happy if you identify itâs location on the top and back of the robot. Donât forget your team numbers and school name and sponsors.
This is a very impressive robot for a rookie team. Congratulations!
Hope this helps.
thank you all soooo much⌠you guys are awesome
Speaking of 9v battery (as pointed out you canât use it), your IR reciever is going to have difficulties hidden in the box tooâŚ
the IR board is mounted temporarily, in the finished one it will be mounted underneath the Lexan coverâŚ
speaking of that, will we be able to get a signal through lexan?
Thatâs a good question. My guess is lexan wonât block IR, but it should be easy enough for you to test. My instinct tells me it wouldnât be a good idea, because depending on angle your signal my reflect rather than pass through (like visible light).
Just a quick look from me and the first thing I noticed is the angle of the front and rear panels. From the floor to 8" up, the robot and frame shall be vertical within 10 degrees. (Not including bumpers.) Are they within 10 degrees?
Team numbers and weight also come into question immediately. Maybe it just looks heavy.
118 pounds with bumpers but without the battery:eek:
my team still wants to add an arm to the front
yes⌠im worrying
If your arm weighs within 2 lbs of what your bumpers do youâll be fine on weight. Bumpers and the 12V battery both donât count towards weight.
Not necessarily; only parts of the robot that may contact other robots are subject to that restriction. Bumpers should make that body legal.
Thatâs not what the rule says.
<R19> "Wedgeâ ROBOTS are not be permitted. ROBOTS shall be designed so that interaction with opposing ROBOTS results in pushing rather than tipping or lifting. Neither offensive nor defensive wedges are allowed. All parts of a ROBOT between 0 and 8.5 inches from the ground (the top of the BUMPER ZONE) that are used to push against or interact with an opposing ROBOT must be within 10 degrees of vertical. Devices deployed outside the ROBOT footprint should be designed to avoid wedging. If a mechanism or an appendage (e.g. a harvester for retrieving GAME PIECES) becomes a wedge that interferes with other ROBOTS, penalties, disabling, or disqualification can occur depending on the severity of the infraction.
(emphasis mine) The bumpers are part of the robot, right? They are used to push against or interact with other robots, right?
Right. So bumpers that are within 10 degrees of vertical attached to that robot frame such that none of the angled frame sections would be used to push against or interact with another robot should make the robot conform to the rules.
