Skirts (on robots)

We were just wondering why no body seems to use skirts on their robots any more? With all the flippers around it seems like they would be very useful... But maybe I'm missing something...

Though I can't speak for the entire community, I'd assume it's because you're more likely to get caught on the floorboards, or into the side walls. Which would be a bloody pain to get out.

Flippers still get under them as there's generally more holding the flipper blade to the floor than the skirts. Usually bungie cords, springs or similar whereas skirts are only held down by their own weight.

There is also the possibility of the skirt material getting bent in and the robot landing on it in such a way that it gets beached, leaving you unable to move. Even in RW skirts weren't huge, with just Panic Attack and Storm II being the most notable ones.

Also pretty useless if you do get flipped.

Ah, all very good points :) Thanks :)
I also wondered why lots of robots (Kronic, Ripper, Iron Awe) have a wedge cut out of the back of them- so they can wheelie?

So that if another robot gets under the front of them, the wheels stay in contact with the ground (assuming the angle is right) providing a slight opportunity for them to reverse off and prevent getting flipped. Also comes in handy if you get wedged up on the arena wall.

On the skirts, We only run 1 on Binky. A front blade of titanium which is held on by industrial velcro of all things. Conker 2 has massive angled armour but it still rests about 2 mm off the ground.

My logic with my first robot was that since other machines were going to get under me anyway I might as well give myself better ground clearance so I can drive off them and maintain control. It sort of worked but I never spend enough time in the arena to say for certain if it was better than skirts.

Ah, that makes sense :) thanks for responding so quickly- Much appreciated :D

Much like Alex, both of our robots have had a rear wheel design that allows them to drive off wedges. It's a really useful feature, at least in our experience; it has saved us many times. Our current machine can be lifted at the front to beyond 45 degrees and the back wheels still keep in contact with the floor.

We do still see the sort of skirt approach in hinged scoops. They're not as popular over here as they are in the US, but even those, often way sturdier than typical skirts, get ripped off quite often.

The US also have the advantage of what is effectively a single piece floor. They set up then weld the 3/8ths inch steel plates together for the duration of the event. Its not perfectly flat but its much smoother than the wooden arenas most bouts take place in.

I fined the exposed wheels useful to, I have always had it, and have always used it every event multiple times, now I have improved it so its gob from 50 degrees movement to more like 270! With complete wheel exposure all round the back! Does make the wheels vulnerable though, so it's a balance in the middle (although I'm just relying on the fact I will keep the front facing them.
And with skirts, I think there useful, but a permenate wedge is just stronger and better. It doesn't catch on the floor, and if it does, you just trim a bit off. Where as, a skirt will always catch!