Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 23:30:51 EST
Subject: Fwd: [FRCtech2002] Digest Number 4


------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are 23 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

      1. Re: Chairmans Award!
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      2. Re: Discontinued Motors, Playing Field, and Autodesk, Among Other Topics...
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      3. Parallax, Inc.
           From: "nrussellsr" <nrussellsr@aol.com>
      4. Re: Parallax, Inc.
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      5. Re: Scoring-qualification VS championship rounds
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      6. Re: Dragging Opposing Robot
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      7. Re: Other Pieces. .
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      8. Re: bumpers
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
      9. Re: last year's parts
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     10. Re: No-Show
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     11. Re: weight
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     12. Re: goal weight
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     13. Re: motors to wheels
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     14. Re: Arm length
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     15. Re: Sprocket and Belt Question.
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     16. Re: What constitutes a projectile
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     17. Re: On-Board Camera Rules
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     18. Re: bumper dimensions
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     19. Re: Playing Field Construction
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     20. Re: How many motors are allowed?
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     21. Re: Are Game Pads Allowed
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
     22. Weekly Update
           From: "scidkelly" <davekelly@cyberportal.net>
     23. Re: Weekly Update
           From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 1
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 18:03:18 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Chairmans Award!


 
>  What software can we use to submit the chairmans award  on disc? 

A)Whatever you create should be an autoexecutable file (a .exe) or it 
should be a common viewing format - .pdf, .ppt, .doc.

>  When will the 10min time limit begin when using a disc?

A)10 minute time limit begins when the first file opens.

---
FIRST MRT




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 2
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 18:15:49 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Discontinued Motors, Playing Field, and Autodesk, Among Other Topics...

> Q1= Are we allowed to use the discontinued van door motors on 
robots?

A) No.  They are not included in the updated Kit of Parts in Team 
Update #1.

> Q2= Does the field exceed the dimensions of a standard basketball 
> court?

A) No.  Please refer to the field drawings supplied with your team's 
manual or the electronic files of the field drawing on the FIRST 
website.
 
> Q3= Is the field still a large rug with tape on it?

A) Yes.
 
> Q4= Is there a field border, and what is it made of?

A) Yes, there will be a field border. Please refer to the field 
drawings supplied with your team's manual or the electronic files of 
the field drawing on the FIRST website.

> Q5= Are all size 5 soccer balls approximately the same dimensions of 
> the Puma Neo Campo?

A)  "Puma Neo Campo" part #080046 01 are regulation size 5 soccer balls.  
FIRST will be using Official regulation size 5 soccer balls for each regional event.

> Q6= Will the kickoff video be released for download, specifically 
the hour of the unveiling?

A) Yes, date is still to be determined.

> Q7= Are the documents currently on the Competition Documents page 
> finalized?

A) Yes.
 
> Q8= My team has not recieved our Autodesk shipment yet.  
> Has it been shipped, and when can we expect its arrival?

A) All teams that have paid their registration fees should receive 
their Autodesk software by 1/11/02.  If you have not please call Team 
support at FIRST and they will do what they can to assist you with 
your problem.

---
FIRST MRT




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 3
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 18:32:44 -0000
   From: "nrussellsr" <nrussellsr@aol.com>
Subject: Parallax, Inc.

In last years kit, there was a "BASIC Stamp Manual" from Parallax Inc.
Version 1.9..
Will a "Basic Stamp Manual" be sent out to the teams this
year?
Thank You.




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 4
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 20:15:06 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Parallax, Inc.

> In last years kit, there was a "BASIC Stamp Manual" from Parallax 
Inc.
> Version 1.9..
> Will a "Basic Stamp Manual" be sent out to the teams this
> year?

A) No.  You are able to download it from Parallax's website.




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 5
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 20:33:16 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Scoring-qualification VS championship rounds


> The rules state that the points awarded to the winner for the 
> qualification rounds will be 3x the loser's score and 1x the 
loser's 
> score to the loser. The rules also state that the championship 
rounds 
> will be best 2 out of 3 but it does not state how they will be 
> scored. Will it be best "raw" score or best 3x loser's score?

A) In the elimination (finals semi-finals, etc..) rounds, teams will 
not receive qualifying points.  Best 2 out of 3 represents the number 
of matches won in a series.


---
FIRST MRT




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 6
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:03:02 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Dragging Opposing Robot


> Is it legal to DRAG an opposing alliance robot against its will 
into your home zone for an additional 10 points? 

A) Yes, becareful that the mechanism you are using to attach (or 
drag) a robot can be easily released.  Also remember that the 1 
minute setup and resetting period will apply, see rule GM6. 
 
Will this violate "PINNING" rules?  

A) No.  Pinning refers to holding a robot against the edge of the 
field or against the side of the goal.  See Team Update #1 for rule 
DQ8.
 
What happens if you damage their robot while dragging them?

A) If the referees determine it was caused by malicious behavior, the 
alliance causing the damage will be disqualified.  If the referees 
determine that the damage was due to "poor Robot design", then there 
will be no penalty.  In all cases, it will be a referee judgement 
call.




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 7
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 20:46:10 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Other Pieces. .

> Could we use something as a TUBE for the balls. . .IE a stovepipe, 
or 
> something not explicitly covered on the Additional Parts List?
> Or, could we fabricate a tube out of Fiberglass, such that the 
> difference between the inner diameter and outer diameter is less 
than 
> 1/8"??

Please read Rules K1, M9, and M18 regarding what parts you may use to 
build the robot.  You are welcome to use allowed parts, such as 
Fiberglass, to build a tube with a wall thickness of 1/8" or less.

-----
ER




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 8
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:04:15 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: bumpers

> Could we have a skid pad that acts like a bumper but can extend to 
> act like a brake, be outside the 30"x36"x60" area, and be
> removeable?

If the device will be outside the 30"x36"x60" robot starting size 
prior to the start of the match, then it must satisfy the criteria of 
Rule M18.  If the device will extend out of the robot after the start 
of the match, then it is not restricted by Rule M18.

-----
ER





________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 9
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:21:00 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: last year's parts


> Stating M15. " All mechanisms on the robot should be 
> fabricated/assembled by the 2002 team after the start of the Kick-
off 
> Workshop. Mechanisms may not be reused from previous year's robots."
> My question is;" Can we use parts from last year's kit such as: 
> Air tanks, motors, or Seat Motor Assembly?

A) Only if it's in this year's kit and it's the same exact part.
Remember that the seat positioning unit are not a part of this year's 
kit.  Also don't forget you can not exceed the quantities per part in 
this year's Kit of Part list in Team Update #1.





________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 10
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:22:16 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: No-Show


> Another scoring Q:
> 
> Regarding SC7 & SC8-  Can a no-show recieve a Win?

A) No. 




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 11
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:11:49 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: weight


> When the rules say that the robot cannot weigh more than 130 
pounds, 
> does that mean that EVERY SINGLE component that would be used must 
be 
> on there at once?  (Example:  if we have three different components 
> that we will never use at the same time, must we have all three of 
> those on there at one time for weigh in?)

A) No. See M12 & M2.  No configuration that would be used on the 
field may exceed 130 lbs.  Each configuration that is to be used on 
the field must be weighted during Robot Inspection.




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 12
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:13:48 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: goal weight


> In pounds, >How much does the goal weigh?

A) According to Team Update #1 the weight of a single goal is 181 lbs.




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 13
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:15:13 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: motors to wheels


> Can we use 4 individual drive motors on the robot? In other words, 
> can each wheel be attached to a drive motor?

A) Yes.




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 14
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:16:37 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Arm length

> Is there a limit to how long an arm can be?

After the start of a match, a robot may expand outside the 30"x36"x60" 
starting size.  There is no upper limit on robot size after the start 
of a match, per se, but robots which extend beyond the limits of the 
playing field risk being disabled.  Also, very long mechanisms may 
present a risk of entanglement and/or be physically flimsy.  See Rules 
DA4, M4, and M16.




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 15
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:26:39 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Sprocket and Belt Question.

> Our team is considering using snow blower treads similar to those 
we were allowed to use last year under the '20 feet of timing belt' 
and 'any amount, any size sprocket' allowances.  Is the 
interpretation of these rules the same for this year?

A)This year you can use any size, any lenght belt, and any size, any 
amount sprocket.




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 16
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:34:41 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: What constitutes a projectile

> I know a similar question has already been asked, but what 
> constitutes a projectile?  If a part of the robot that is tethered 
is 
> launched, is it still a projectile even though it has a tether 
> (assuming it possessed no risk of entanglement)?

We are using a "common sense" definition of what constitutes a 
projectile.  The exact determination will be up to the robot 
inspectors and referees at the competition events.  Below is an 
attempt to provide a formal definition:

"A projectile is any object, whether attached or not, that is
launched 
from the robot and continues moving away from the robot by its 
momentum, typically following a parabolic path as it falls to the 
surface of the playing field."

Note that something lanched at floor level, such that it never truely 
falls, but rolls or slids across the floor could still be considered
a 
projectile.

-----
ER





________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 17
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:43:09 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: On-Board Camera Rules

> Are we allowed to mount a camera on-board our robot?  And if so, 
are 
> there any limitations such as frequency or size?

A) Yes, see rule M9.  Remember that it can not be used as a driving 
aid during a match.  Therefore, the camera receiver may not be used 
in the alliance station.  The camera would only be used for 
entertainment value. 

---
FIRST MRT




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 18
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:44:46 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: bumper dimensions


> The rules state that bumpers may extend 4" in addition to the 
maximum dimensions of the robot.  Is this 4" total added to the 
dimensions or is it 4" added to each side of the robot?

A)This is 4" on each side.

---
FIRST MRT




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 19
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:47:51 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Playing Field Construction

> Which way do the 3" x 3" aluminum angles on the "fence" around 
the 
> playing floor face?  I assume the horizontal leg is away from the 
> playing floor- is that correct?

A) The vertical side of the aluminum angle will be the inner face of 
the field border.

> The manual says that the face of the 3" x 3" angle is covered by 
> diamond plate aluminum, but the drawings do not show this?  Which
is 
> correct?

A) The second paragraph of Section 2.2 of The Game section of the 
manual is incorrect in regards to the diamond plate.  The field 
drawings are correct.  Diamond Plate will only be used on the
Alliance 
Stations.

-----
ER




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 20
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:48:47 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: How many motors are allowed?


> If we wanted to use more of one kind of motor than is supplied in 
the 
> kit, is that allowed.

A) No.

---
FIRST MRT




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 21
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:52:55 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Are Game Pads Allowed


> The additional Hardware list says that we can use Joysticks, 
Wheels, and Pedals.  Can we use PC compatible Gamepads also.

A) Yes, as long as it is compatible to a 15 pin port (i.e. Not USB).

---
FIRST MRT




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 22
   Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 10:43:44 -0000
   From: "scidkelly" <davekelly@cyberportal.net>
Subject: Weekly Update

Could frcengineers post a weekly collection of your Q&As that you 
have posted so we may distribe them to everyone on our team (instead 
of us trying to pick off individual responses and maybe missing 
one)?  This could be something like the Team Updates of the past - it 
would be REALLY helpful.
Thanks




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 23
   Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 21:58:31 -0000
   From: "frcengineers" <frcengineers@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Weekly Update

> Could frcengineers post a weekly collection of your Q&As that you 
> have posted so we may distribe them to everyone on our team 
(instead 
> of us trying to pick off individual responses and maybe missing 
> one)?  This could be something like the Team Updates of the past - 
it 
> would be REALLY helpful.

A) No. Yahoo groups provides a daily digest feature, which will send 
you the summary of each days new posted messages by email.

---
FIRST MRT




________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________