Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 22:13:29 EST
Subject: Fwd: [FRCtech2002] Digest Number 7

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There are 16 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

      1. Re: Best Price on Soccer Balls
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      2. Re: "Projectiles"
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      3. Re: Questions
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      4. Re: Electronics extras
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      5. Anchoring robot to the carpet
           From: "bulldog395" <rs46@columbia.edu>
      6. Re: Anchoring robot to the carpet
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      7. Coating material
           From: 
      8. Using a winch
           From: "bulldog395" <rs46@columbia.edu>
      9. Re: Using a winch
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     10. Re: Bosch Framing material
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     11. Carpet Damage Ruling
           From: "racerchaser9" <racerchaser9@yahoo.com>
     12. air cylinders
           From: "nonoaustin2000" <jjones@belcan.com>
     13. Belts for treads.
           From: "joereelus" <jreel@western.k12.in.us>
     14. Re: Belts for treads.
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     15. Coasting
           From: 
     16. Re: Coasting
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>


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Message: 1
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 14:55:45 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Best Price on Soccer Balls

> Supplier for size 5 soccer balls?
A) See Team Update #2 posted on the FIRST website on Friday, 
1/11/2002.  FIRSTsnow




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Message: 2
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 15:22:12 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: "Projectiles"

> We have been pondering using a spring loaded system that would stay 
attached to our robot and extend a solid arm or pole into the 
robot "home zone" at the last second.  Would this be considered an 
infringment of the entanglement rule?
A) This is appears acceptable as stated but would be reviewed during 
robot inspection for entanglement issues.  FIRSTsnow




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Message: 3
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 15:46:13 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Questions

> 1. if an arm of a robot lays flat on the ground from a goal scoring 
> zone to the home zone, would it be an entanglement issue? if so 
> please clarify entanglement. what materials are the center of the 
> entanglement issue?
A) See Response #114.  FIRSTsnow

> 2. in our packing checklist, it list that we are given two Chiaphua 
> motors. in the rules, it states were are only to have one Chiaphua 
> motor. can we legally use both Chiaphua motors?
A) You may use both.  FIRSTsnow

> 3. Is there a limit to the total amount of money in the robot?Like 
> there is a weight limit, is their an expense limit on the robot 
> itself?
A) There is no expense limt.  FIRSTsnow





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Message: 4
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 17:50:59 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Electronics extras

> May I buy "sensors" from Future/Active or DigiKey within the $ 
limit, connect them to my circuit board, but place these sensors 
elsewhere on the robot ? 
A) The components must be totally contained in the "Plastic Enclosure 
for Custom Circuit" from BUD Industries, P/N: PN-1324-C, qty 1.  We 
apologize that we did not sort the additional hardware list so that 
the enclosure you were to use actyally followed the "Custom Circuit 
Board" entry.  Look for a sorted list in the next Team Update on the 
FIRST website.  FIRSTsnow

> Might I use an Ultrasonic transducer from either source for ranging
> reporting back to a onechip microprocessor ?
A) $100 worth of components from either source.  FIRSTsnow

> I am confused by the Project Box, Black, Almond or Gray and the 
Plastic Enclosure for Custom Circuit.? 
A) The Custom Circuit must fit totally inside the "Plastic Enclosure 
for Custom Circuit" as described above.  The Project Box can be used 
for any number of things except the Custom Circuit.  We inadvertently 
left out the Project Box dimensions and will publish them in the next 
Team Update on the FIRST website.  FIRSTsnow
 
> Must the Portable Computing Device used as a dashboard viewer be 
> powered by batteries or is it acceptable as long as it does not use 
a connection to the AC power at the operator position on the stand ?
A) Batteries only.  Robot section in manual, paragraph 2.2.3.  
FIRSTsnow




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Message: 5
   Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 14:36:22 -0000
   From: "bulldog395" <rs46@columbia.edu>
Subject: Anchoring robot to the carpet

Team 395 wants to know if it is acceptable to lower something that 
raises the robot's wheels off the carpet thus making it very difficult 
to be moved by another robot?




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Message: 6
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 18:03:19 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Anchoring robot to the carpet

> Is it acceptable to lower something that raises the robot's wheels 
off the carpet thus making it very difficult to be moved by another 
robot?
A) Yes but be careful that the end(s) of the mechanism(s) that 
contacts the carpet will not damage the carpet.  If you are unsure, 
ask the inspectors at the events but you should be prepared to remove 
the device if it is ruled that the potential for damage to the carpet 
is great.  FIRSTsnow




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Message: 7
   Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 09:11:42 -0500
   From: 
Subject: Coating material

What are the rules governing the use of the coating material or special material (e.g., paint, nylon ropes, belt, plastic, wood, etc.) for the exterior (including all sides) of the robot?





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Message: 8
   Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 14:40:46 -0000
   From: "bulldog395" <rs46@columbia.edu>
Subject: Using a winch

Team 395 wants to know if you can attach a hook to a goal, bail out a 
certain amount of rope, put the brakes on your robot and winch the 
goal toward you?  Would this rope be considered a tether?




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Message: 9
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 18:53:29 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Using a winch

> Can you attach a hook to a goal, bail out a certain amount of rope, 
put the brakes on your robot, and winch the goal toward you?  Would 
this rope be considered a tether?
A) This would be considered a tether and is not allowed.  FIRSTsnow




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Message: 10
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 20:32:40 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Bosch Framing material

>In last years game the rules were specific about the use of Bosch
>Framing material. In this years game there is nothing regarding
>framing material beyond the use of extruded aluminum (which is Bosch
>framing material and a host of other name brands). Is Bosch framing
>material allowed to be used in this years robots?

A) Last year, the Additional Hardware List allowed extruded aluminum 
to be used on the robot, and was not specific to Bosch.  This year, 
extruded aluminum is still allowed per the Additional Hardware List.  
Bosch extruded aluminum framing material is allowed.

-----
ER





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Message: 11
   Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 16:40:50 -0000
   From: "racerchaser9" <racerchaser9@yahoo.com>
Subject: Carpet Damage Ruling

If a team has a robot that 'anchors' itself to the carpet  ie: some 
sort of onboard jack system which lifts their robots wheels off the 
playing field. Then another robot comes along and attempts to drag 
them back into their home zone. How would it be determined who damaged 
the playing surface (if any occurred). 

This may also come into play if a robot is dragged and tilited so 
that a part of it which normally is not in contact with the playing 
surface causes the carpet to be damaged.

Which team would be considered responsible? 




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Message: 12
   Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 17:04:33 -0000
   From: "nonoaustin2000" <jjones@belcan.com>
Subject: air cylinders

How many air cylinders are allowed on the robot?




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Message: 13
   Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 18:55:50 -0000
   From: "joereelus" <jreel@western.k12.in.us>
Subject: Belts for treads.

In the update #1 it states that timing belts has changed.  Any belt 
may be used as long it is used with a pulley.  This implies strongly 
but not clearly that the belt is not to be used for a tread either on 
a wheel or as a catepillar track.  Please reply to me ASAP.





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Message: 14
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 21:44:19 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Belts for treads.

> In Team Update #1, it states that timing belts has changed.  Any 
belt may be used as long it is used with a pulley.  This implies 
strongly but not clearly that the belt is not to be used for a tread 
either on a wheel or as a catepillar track.
A) See Team Update #2 where this has been clarified.  FIRSTsnow




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Message: 15
   Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 10:31:41 -0500
   From: 
Subject: Coasting

Is it acceptable to build a mechanism to allow the robot to coast into a 
scoring location after the clock has stopped?




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Message: 16
   Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 21:51:51 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Coasting

> Is it acceptable to build a mechanism to allow the robot to coast 
into a scoring location after the clock has stopped?
A) Yes as long as the mechanism doesn't violate any other rule.  
Scoring of a match takes place once all objects have come to rest.  
FIRSTsnow




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