Are magnetic locks legal, or are there rules against using them?
John, 2474
Is that like an electromagnetic solenoid? If so then it the rule book mentions it.
has more info.
No, there is no solenoid involed. Its just an electric magnetic lock. Like what they use to lock doors.
John, 2474
It is an electromagnet, right?
I didn’t see anything in the rules about electromagnets, so perhaps you could ask on the Q&A. Since solenoids are prohibited, and an electromagnet is half a solenoid, it might not be allowed. Apparently they were allowed in 2008.
Ok thanks, I’ll do some more research.
This Q&A may be pertinent:
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=13979
Are these automotive locks or building locks, and just out of curiosity, who uses just magnets. Most of the locks I know of use motors of some type, and some ones from the 40’s through 60’s use either vacum or hydraulics…but them I’m dating myself.
We used locks like these for years with no break-in problems.
http://www.maglocks.com/magnetic_locking.htm
Key cards instead of keys. Full audit trail of entry and exit. Battery backup for power fail. Security system locks and unlocks on programmed schedule.
John,
Please ask the question on the Q&A. It will make the job of your inspector a little easier. In the past, if the magnet part attracted(moved) another part, it was considered to be a solenoid and not legal. If you are thinking of using this for a mechanism that would lock you into a hang position then remember that the robot is disabled at the end of the match and power to the device would be removed.
what if it just held another part in place, once that part had already moved into position via some other force.
~
The Q&A has ruled. http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=14093
It is legal for that specific use, provided that it doesn’t violate other rules.
Ether,
Your proposal is still difficult to rule on without seeing it during inspection and/or through a series of tests of the various rules under which it’s use might be covered. The Q&A cites specifically R02 and R03 but I don’t see anything in those rules that might apply. It would still need to be fed with a spike (if less than 20 amps) or speed controller, an appropriate sized breaker through the PD and be used with appropriately sized wire for the current it uses during operation.
yeah i know of a few teams in 2008 that used it to hurlde the ball and i think that tyou can use them as large as you can get rid of the energy at the end of the match.