17th FRA General Meeting - 13 October 2007

Minutes of the 17th FRA Governing body meeting

Saturday 13th October 2007

Present – Geoff Smith, Tony Somerfield, Mark Lumb, Andy Kane, Karoline
Pannell, Trevor Wright, Kane Aston and Pete Lale
Roboteer members – Ed Wallace and Alan Young
Apologies received from Marco Van Hek and Steve Johnson

Matters arising

1. Presentation of new 2.4GHz radio rules to concur with the current use
of this equipment.

2. AGM minutes approved with slight rewrite to make accurate

However, to reflect the majority of members present at the AGM to change
the featherweight weight from 12kg to 13.6kg including any consumables
(gas), was voted on and endorsed. Therefore, from 1st January 2008, 13.6kg
including consumables can be used in Europe and replaces the 12kg limit.

3. Proposal to bring the heavyweight weight to 100kg including
consumables (gas)

The governing body concluded that the proposal has merit as it would tie in
with the new featherweight ruling and give a worldwide common standard for
weights. However it was decided to go to the membership for consultation first
either by written submission via the members regional representatives (FRA
forum contact page) or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Consultation period to end 31/12/2007.
It is believed that this would affect 5/6 machines only.
Should the consultation be positive the governing body does not envisage the
change in weight until 01/01/2009 for this weight class.

4. 2008 FRA membership fees

These are to remain the same as 2007 at £10 per team up to 31/3/2008 and
thereafter for previous and existing members £20 per team. Overseas and
new members subscription remains at £10 for application at any time of the
year.
An appeal for donations for improving the FRA champions trophies would be made when the year end and subscription reminder is sent out.

5. Member proposed rule changes

a) To change electrical voltage from 36 volt RMS to 48 Volt RMS was
deferred until the new standards for low electrical voltages comes out
(approx Jan 2008).
b) To allow pressurised suction of hydraulic systems has been deferred
for further technical appraisal with the proposer.
c) Rewrite of pneumatic rules to clear up confusion between pressure
regulators and pressure reliefs and where they are to be used.
d) Rewrite of rule 6.3.2 link rule. For certain machines there will be a
requirement for a second link (this affects very few machines).
e) Arena guideline document name to change to “Arena Minimum
Regulations and Guidelines”. This is to reflect the fact there are now
dimensions written into the document.

6. A123 trial progress report

Balancing for heavyweight style packs is still a potential problem (with 10
cells). Three featherweight teams have applied to join the A123 trial, however
it was concluded that the trials for featherweights should not be held.
From the 1st January 2008, A123 style cells for featherweights are approved
for use with the following criteria:
• Maximum of seven cell packs with proprietary chargers and
balancers.
• A rule rewrite to reflect this change will be carried out at a later
date.

7. FRA championship tender document

The governing body is to issue papers for event organisers to tender for the
FRA featherweight and heavyweight championships for 2008 to reflect that
there are more event organisers operating this year.

8. Tech Check Training

It was agreed that formal robot tech training would be held at the FRA
headquarters with a view to rewrite the tech check sheets to reflect modern
practices and recent rule changes.

9. Permitted Gases

It is proposed that certain gas types be removed from the list of gases. Argon,
nitrogen and other inert gases would be removed from the rules.
It is also proposed that HPA (high pressure air) be removed from the list
subject to consultation with any interested member teams. If you have an
interest in HPA robots please mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . There are
currently no known machines using HPA in Europe.

10. Event organisers consultation document

A consultation document has been sent to event organisers for comments. It
is proposed that we hold an event organisers meeting in November 2007 to
give the FRA’s views.
All questions were received from event organisers themselves and included:
a) For any event advertised on the FRA website that:
• Participating roboteers must be members of the FRA
• Participating robots must be built to FRA rules and
recommendations.
• Combat only takes place in FRA approved arenas.
b) Events advertised on the FRA website are at the FRA’s discretion.
Such events should be 14 days apart to alleviate splitting roboteer
attendance. This could be reviewed if we get to the point where any
events cannot accommodate the number of robots wishing to attend.
(copy of letter is attached as there is another statement).
c) All robots that have been competing over 12 months must have an
active weapon to enter the large events (World, European and UK
champs).
d) As normal the UK Champs are run every year but the European and
World champs are held every 4 years.

11. Review of forum suspensions for two forum users

It was decided that one was to have his access restored. However in the case
of the other user, further papers were submitted to the governing body
regarding other matters with the forum. A decision was made to carry on with
this persons suspension until further notice.

12. Other forums

The governing body agreed that the unauthorised use of the FRA logo was
not acceptable on other forums that did not promote the sport of robot
combat. A decision to pursue the author and site holder until our logo is
removed was taken.
Next meeting Jan 2008