has anyone though of using blower type fans to make the robot float? I don’t know if this violates any rules but it is still a creative idea. I was looking at a magazine we kids can make there own “floating cars” and it is just a blower fan system or vacume on reverse. like I said I don’t know if it is against the rules but if anyone considers it… Ask FIRST
James
To get enought fanpower to lift a *100 lb robot, would require more energy than the battery can put out.
WE tried this last year with the fanblower to block the goal. If it happens this year, i will seriously cry, flying robots = better than pigs flying.
Our build team threw the idea out so I haven’t researched if the rules would allow it. It would make things interesting by blowing the float rings everywhere!
I don’t see what rules it would break, if you can figure out a way to do it and power it (with the kit motors).
Your traction would be just terrible, though. :eek:
We played with the idea of building a hoverbot but non of the mentors would hear of it. If the skirt is designed right, a vaccuum cleaner motor is sufficient for lifting a 100+lb bot. You still need a drive fan though.
2 problems I see with this are that
1 there is alot of contact on a first field, the odds of the skirt getting torn of folded up so it forms a poor seal with the floor are pretty high.
Also a hover bot would just be pushed around the field, it would be like an air hockey puck.
For any one who was looking at this strategy to score points at the end of the match, keep in mind that power is shut off and the robot wont be able to keep hovering.
i have done quite a few hovercraft robots that use the 12mm PAPST fans to create an air cussion
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/tags/hoverbot
they’re there in cd media,
ps: im so glad cd media exists, thanks brandon
good point on the power being shut off! IDK its a question for first.
ALSO thanks to you
for making me have a job as a fire fighter in your tag!
The only way to have 3 robots off the ground for your alliance would be to force an opponent to stay in your home zone, and everyone piles on top of it. No point in thinking about making a hovercraft for this game. Hovercrafts in general are cool!
Theoretically, you could lift up your two alliance partners while being supported in the air by pool tubes. That seems to be the only legal way to have all 3 robots off the carpet.
No longer legal per Team Update #1
Section 7.3.6, Rule <G56> -
“ROBOTS score bonus points at the end of the match if they are entirely in their HOME ZONE, not in contact with any element of the field (carpet, alliance station, goal, etc. - note that for the purposes of this rule, GAME PIECES are considered field elements) and the lowest point of the ROBOT is higher than 4 inches and/or 12 inches above the carpeted field surface.”
P.S.
Remember to drop any tube you are holding before climbing a friendly nearby ramp.
ok first thing about hovercrafts… the skirt still countsas part of teh robot
so you wouldnt get any points for it.
AND after the 5 secend warning for the end time you cant stop a robot from leaving your home zone.
if <G09> holds the way it is now i can see my team going undefeated, even with the bonus points
Im still thinking that you can throw a zipline into the rafters and hang from the celing :ahh:
Practically speaking, I don’t think a hovercraft is feasible.
amen…
the thing is the robot doesn’t need to float the whole time. It could only float at the end when it needs to if its possible.
Your robot cuts off at the end of the match. This would be impossibel to keep it off the ground without any power…( well…if you could use your mind to keep it up i guess you could use brain power 
)
That is why brain power is wonderful!
These are the same people that say having a monkey for a pet is a bad idea.
I think in the future, both ideas will have their place in the world of FIRST. 