Hello everyone,
Could someone clarify the limits regarding the robot’s size (FRC 2024), especially if there is a constraint related to the frame size, excluding the bumpers? We are a new team and assembled the chassis without any cuts. The Frame Volume is a little confusing for us. The frame itself is now 31*32 inches. Is that okay? Or any advice based on this year’s game?
Thank you.
The exterior frame perimeter of your robot, excluding cuts, can not exceed 120inches. Meaning for a square robot 30x30 is the largest you can be. What exactly counrs as your “frame” can somtirms be fuzzy, but its usually major structural elemets like gussets or 2x1. Also, keep in mind inspectors arnt measuring your robot with a laser scanner so having a margin of error is allways ideal.
Blue box, R101 tells how to measure the FRAME PERIMETER:
To determine the FRAME PERIMETER, wrap a piece of string around the ROBOT
(excluding BUMPERS) at the BUMPER ZONE described in R402 and pull it taut.
The string outlines the FRAME PERIMETER.
R402 defines the BUMPER ZONE:
*BUMPERS must stay low. BUMPERS must be located entirely within the BUMPER ZONE, which is the
volume contained between the floor and a virtual horizontal plane 7½ in. (~19 cm) above the floor in
reference to the ROBOT standing normally on a flat floor. BUMPERS do not have to be parallel to the
floor.
Thank you, I got the points.
Thank you so much; clear now!
31" * 32" is too large to be legal. (31" + 32" + 31" + 32") = 126" You will need to rebuild smaller.
You can in theory build to exactly 120" (say 30" x 30" or 28" x 32". etc ), but if you find yourself even a wee bit long (say 120.125") you may find yourself filing down corners to get under the 120" limit).
Thank you!
My robotics program has had students of varying experience levels assembling 4 AndyMark kitbot drivetrains this year and every single one of them missed the step where you’re instructed to cut the frame rails to length. This exact same scenario happened last year as well. Maybe it’s just us, but I’m wondering if the instructions may not be super clear about this step, or at least don’t make it obvious that it’s an important step that requires extra attention. Curious what others’ experiences have been.
OK, we will modify it; I will measure it again carefully. Thank you!
A rookie team we were remotely helping a couple years back showed up at the Regional at (IIRC) 36" x 36". It took almost all of the practice day, all of their team, and a bunch of help from one of our mentors and some of our students to get it rebuilt to a legal size so they could compete.
Take a seamstress tape and wrap it around the frame. Anything over 120 inches is illegal. We always build our robots to be 29" by 29". This gives us a little bit of room. Also make sure your bumpers are built with 3/4" plywood. They have been strict with this the past few seasons. Bumpers and frame perimeter are very strict.
Per R408: OSB, and [non-Balsa] Solid wood (ie a piece of 1"x6" [which is really 3/4" by 5.5"]) are also legal.
Also, 23/32" plywood (or metric equivalent) is “close enough” to be legal.
Not legal: Balsa. fiberboard, particleboard, plastic “wood”, MDF, making your own plywood, etc
which is really 3/4"
importantly, it’s not nominally 3/4". I can’t imagine an RI calling a team out because of this though.
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