http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/Updates/0
Edit:
I read it right, but I wrote it wrong. I meant that if touching the pyramid then the 54 inches relates to the robot instead of the field.
While in contact with the PYRAMID, a ROBOT
may not have its horizontal dimensions exceed a 54 in. diameter vertical cylinder relative to the ROBOT and
may not extend any part of itself beyond a vertical plane defined by a perimeter offset from the base of the PYRAMID by 54 in., see Figure 3-5b and Figure 3-5c.
Violation: FOUL. If continuous or repeated violations, TECHNICAL FOUL.
Wait, what? Am I reading this wrong?
EDIT: Fig 3-5c explains it, I see it now.
Try again. They added G23-1, saying precisely the opposite.
To be precise, the 54" cylinder reorients with the robot WHEN touching the pyramid.
And we just re-engineered our stuff to fit within relative to the floor (meaning some of it is possibly illegal now) 
I noticed that the word vertical is crossed out. does this means that we can be in a 54" oblique cylinder when not touching the pyramid?
I’m really holding back, but did the GDC just change the task?
The way I interpret it, vertical is crossed out because while in contact with the pyramid the cylinder isn’t vertical
Man,
I need some time to re-re-re-read the rules. :yikes:
Stupendous. Magnificent. I cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for the GDC changing this rule a week and a half after kickoff after we reluctantly scrapped our plans for a lifting and dumping robot.
Presumably all the 54" cylinder questions they were getting made them question whether anyone was actually going to attempt the end game, so they decided to relax the rules to make it easier.
Well at least they didn’t reconsider after seeing several technically illegal robots at the week 1 regionals.
So the 54 inches reorients with the robot, is this in relation to the bumpers? Or am I not seeing something here?
- Andrew
WOW. They answered this question completely differently in the Q&A and then change it a week later? With such a restrictive design requirement, how can the GDC possibly not have the details down?
So our process was to design it, change it to make it work, and now find out we didn’t have to change it? Yay?
Here is the picture from the update… since this robot has no bumpers and no frame perimeter it is hard to tell but it does say robot relative…
Robot relative typically means relative to your starting/inspection configuration. Whatever orientation is vertical when you start the robot is the vertical direction for your robot throughout the match.
The reason this makes climbing easier is that you can tip your robot over and reach up to 84" vertical relative to your robot, which is a good bit farther than the 54" cylinder restricted you to.
that gives a diagonal(which could become the true vertical when touching the pyramid)of nearly 100 in.(99.859). That makes it technically viable to sacrifice the legality of your own robot’s climb to attach a winch to level 3 and bring 2 robots up with you, scoring 60 points.
Makes the stair chair strategy viable.
what is this ‘stair chair’ you speak of?
http://www.bigskymobility.com/ManStairChair.jpg
Bring another “person” up with you.
Our climbing solution is now illegal.
We had clearly defined parameters at the beginning of the build season. Why on Earth would they change now?
I hate everything 3 times… Just kidding, this makes things easier but also more difficult. it means that our previous strategy is now illegal but simpler strategies are now legal and can be made lighter, cheaper and safer.