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Hi all
I have recently printed out a tech check sheet from the early thread. And I ahve two questions, it says locking devices and preventing movement of weapon. Would this apply for a lifter?
Also where it says weaponary tehther insatalled would this part apply to a lifter?
Hope this is clear
Alex
Best use common sense - if the lifter is relatively slow and wouldnt pose much of a threat to humans if it went off for some reason then dont bother about a locking pin because you could end up causing much more damage to your bot if a locked down lifter went off than you could ever cause to people around it. For faster lifters it may be worth looking at putting some safety measures in.
Tethers almost certainly do not apply.
ok thanks
um, do NOT listen to that advice Alex!
even a slow lifter can crush a kids arm on retract. imagine the arm is up, and a kid leans on it. for some unexpected reason the arm fires up without control and lowers at full power. kids arm crushes, everyone gets sued, and we all go to jail for being stupid. (ok, so im going to far)
in short, if the rules say it, you MUST do it, doesnt matter if its slow. common sense has killed many people, that is why we write rules. Ignoring them because our common sense tells us we can, is dangerous.
teathers apply to certain robot types only, your lifter is not one of them, so you do not need a teather.
out of interest, who does NOT have locking pins at the moment? we realized at the last event that edge hog did not have a locking pin or teather, so we are fixing that. anyone else not got one? storms the only lifter i can think off regularly at live events, but assume it has one, Ed?
cheers
(Message edited by jamesb on May 07, 2006)
Ahem... Geoff?
From fra rules
1.5.5. All Robots not in an arena or official testing area should have secure safety covers over any sharp edges and restraints on any active weapons or pinch hazards.
notice ALL ROBOTS and RESTRAINTS ON ANY ACTIVE WEAPON
ahem... doesnt need Geoff, its in black and white
Gotta agree with James on this one..
1.5.5. covers it as far as Im concerned.
I rather like the UKRG wording on this subject..
Any moving, swinging or actuating arm, lever or mechanism that could cause personal injury to competitors or others must be fitted with a visible locking pin that shows that the arm/lever/mechanism is securely locked into place when not in competition.
I think this wording should be taken as best practice on this subject.
Geoff
Fair enough I guess
The following is intended to clarify the situation and as this is first and formost a matter of safety it should be regarded as FRA policy.
Part of FRA build rule 1.5.5. requires that any mechanical device, be it a spinning weapon, a flipper arm, axe shaft, or any other type of mechanism be fitted with an appropriate locking device.
Whilst I concede that the rule does not use the actual words locking device It is perfectly clear that this is what is required. That is why I posted the UKRG wording as I think it describes very well the intent of rule 1.5.5.
I am considering, with the permission of UKRG, to incorporate that wording as an amendment to clarify rule 1.5.5.
In addition I would expect event organisers to include a check of locking devices during the technical inspection of machines competing at their events.
In short.... If you have any type of mechanical weapon on your robot, it must be capable of being locked to prevent accidental movement!
Geoff Smith,
Chairman,
Fighting Robot Association.
fully agree, this is one thing though that is rarely policed