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Power Lights
As off 1st January 2004 all
Featherweights, lightweights, middleweight, heavyweight and super
heavyweight robots running at FRA events will be required to be
fitted with an exterior power light as a clear visual indication
of whether the robot is in a "powered" state (i.e the removable
link is in and the robot is active.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the above,
please contact your local FRA representative as detailed on the
Contact Us page, who will be happy to
help.
Pneumatic weaponry
power levels.
Safety update 17/10/2003
We have become aware recently
that pneumatic weaponry power levels are outstripping the current
live event arena's safety levels and it's felt the community needs
to deal with this problem quickly, before an accident occurs. To
that end we are considering introducing new "tethered weapon"
guidelines which will require that all moving parts within a
pneumatic powered weapon are tethered securely to the chassis if
they are to be run in any arena under a class 2, as from the
01/01/03. This is a simple addition to your robot for which there
will be no weight penalty, which could considerably reduce the
chances of fast moving shrapnel should your weapon fail.
For suggestions on how to fit please see [link to follow] and if
you have any further questions regarding this please contact us on
enquiries@fightingrobots.co.uk.
In addition to the "safety tether" guidelines discussed above,
there is some concern regarding the new generation of pneumatic
systems utilising high flow rates and large rams. We are currently
developing guidelines that will require the restricting of flow
within these systems to a pre-set and measurable level so as they
can continue to be used safely on the live event circuit. Please
be aware that if you are currently building such a system it would
be advisable to fit a flow restriction device within the system
from the offset if you wish to run on the live event circuit.
Event organisers may in some cases have to either disable
weaponry, or disallow running in the currently available arena's
if a flow restriction device is not present.
For advice on flow restriction devices please refer to
Mike Lambert or
Paul Cooper at
Technobots.
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Safety update 07/07/2003
Following an incident at Newark where the community was extremely
lucky to have gotten away without a serious injury the following
updates to safety procedures are to be implemented at FRA events.
We must stress these updates are not a change in the rules, so
much as a reminder of the rules already in place. Tech checks and
safety procedures at FRA events will now insist on these rules
being followed. These updates in procedure will be in place for
the first time at Roaming Robots Gaydon on 5th July 2003 and at
all other FRA events from that date forward.
Activation/De-activation points
- Activation/De-activation (i.e
removable link, gas release valve etc...) access points must be
clearly marked, if covered the cover must be easily removable
without any tools.
- All activation/de-activation
mechanisms, including but not limited to removable links, valves
and RX switches must be easily accessible, and able to be
de-activated by hand without any tools.
Tech checks at all FRA events will be clamping down on this
and you may be failed at tech check if you cannot demonstrate this
effectively.
Activation/De-activation sequences
The recommended sequence for
activation at FRA events is:
-
Locking pins out
(unless the weapon is locked in the "Fired position" in which
case this should be completed last)
-
Transmitter/receiver
on and allowed to establish fail-safe (where applicable)
-
Link in/out
-
Weaponry powered up
(where applicable)
-
Please Note Great
care should be taken not to be in the direct firing line of the
robots weaponry while activating the robot.
-
If you return to
your robot for any reason after this initial sequence is
completed you must before doing anything else, remove the
removable link.
FRA event arena staff
will be expecting to see roboteers following this procedure
without further prompting. Event organisers should be informed at
the earliest opportunity if you feel an alternative sequence would
provide a safer activation/deactivation of your robot.
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