Rule check

Hi there,

just reading through the rules at http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/documents/buildrules2007.pdfhttp://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/docu...drules2007.pdf and I thought Is ask for some clarification, Ill ask them one at a time here...

Quote:
1.5.4.
All Robots not in an arena or official testing area should be raised on their carrying cradles in a manner so that their motive power cannot cause movement if the Robot were turned on, or cannot roll or fall off a pit table. Runaway Robots are VERY dangerous.

So I dont have a carrying cradle, would putting the robot up on blocks be acceptable?

Thanks - Simon

In the past we have seen a lot of things to hold a robots wheels of the table/floor.
Ranging from a hard plastic toolbox to a complete moving workbench, including loading crane. From a nice welded trolly to a couple of bricks.
But the event organisers are asking for better constructed cradles.
So , we have a H made of 4 by 4 wooden beams.

Simon, just make a frame from some strips of wood, making a cross or an H shape, and place the feather on that so it is stable and the wheels move freely without touching the table. It shouldnt take more than a couple of minutes to make.

OK, thanks very much.

Now question 2.

4.1.
All Featherweight, Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight and Super heavyweight Robots MUST use VHF frequency band 40MHz. (with the exception of UHF frequency 459 see 4.1.2) Antweight robots are permitted to use the VHF frequency band 27Mhz.
4.1.2.
The UHF frequency band 459 may be used - but inform the event organisers at the earliest opportunity.

So I take it that 2.4GHz is also allowed?

Thanks - Simon

In theory, it isnt.
But nobody will complain when you use the 2.4GHz.

Simon,
2.4GHz was approved for use in all weight classes as of November last year following DTI approval. We have just been a bit slow about adding it to the rules document..Sorry.

Fighting Robots Association.

Thanks again guys.

OK, slowly moving along, the next question is about

4.2.
On Featherweight, Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight and Super heavyweight Robots, all operating circuits that are deemed to be dangerous (normally the drive and weapons) must have a failsafe device fitted to each circuit.
This MUST bring that circuit to a pre-set off or zero position if the transmitter signal is lost. The robot should also failsafe if the receiver should lose power, to prevent further operation.

Would a Spektrum BR6000 count as a failsafe device fitted to each circuit, it seems to failsafe the drive motors on my antweight robot?

Thanks - Simon

It does, the Bot Reciever 6000 is specificaly programmed to do so.

And the FRA rules dont care what failsafe mechanisme you use, as long it works.

Simon

The BR6000 will failsafe on all channels, the AR6000 will not.

I have also heard that the Futaba 2.4ghz system will only failsafe on one channel only, perhaps someone out there can confirm or deny this?

Trev

Confirmed, by Robbe to me directly via Email.

Futaba only failsafes on the throttle.

OK, thanks again, that was a quick one. Now for the next...

4.3.
In addition to the main power light (See. Batteries and Power no. 6.8.) showing the main power is activated. It should also indicate if the robot is in €œfailsafe€, €œoff€ or €œzero€ position.

Im not sure I could do this with just a BR6000. How manditory is this rule?

Cheers - Simon

It isnt. On the rules page of the FRA you will see it states this is advisory only. It can de done with the BR6000 btw.


(Message edited by leorcc on October 09, 2007)

Thanks again, is there a pointer to how to make the BR6000 show when its failed safe?

Next rule question - should be a quickie, but I want to make sure that our robot wont get rejected when we turn up at Leicester.

4.6
At least three alternative frequencies of transmitter [TX] and receiver [RX] must be available for each Radio Control [RC] set involved in running the robot e.g. where crystals are used 3 pairs of crystals of different frequencies per TX. If two separate TX/RX sets are used, there must be six different pairs of crystals available.
4.7.
Frequencies must be easily changeable e.g. where crystals are used they must be accessible particularly on RX so a change of channel can easily take place.

I take it that If a roboteer was using 2.4 GHz then these rules wouldnt apply?

Thanks - Simon

The Spectrum uses 2 of the 80 avialable 2.4GHz channels simultaniously. And cant use any of the others in use by other RX/TX recievers. Also, wont interfere with the other systems on 2.4 GHz.

The Spectrums at least, with the BR6000 has therefor 40 frequencies at its disposal. In effect far superceding tthe mandatory 3 sets for other frequencies.

But yes, even if the rules arent blatantly on the FRA forum, the Spectrums are accepted by the event organisers (who, after all are more important)

quote:

is there a pointer to how to make the BR6000 show when its failed safe?
The easiest way of doing it is get a free channel on the BR6000, put a small rc-switch with an led or a ready made RC landing light setup on it, and program that channel to activate the LED when it loses signal by setting a preset failsafe servo setting.

These points are all address in the updated Radio Control Requirements.

Thank you Kane, could you give me a link to the updated Radio Control Requirements?

Simon

These have not yet been released. I am hoping they will be approved on Saturday and the rules should be updated a short time afterwards.

OK Thanks Kane. Well Ill keep going through the rules and ask questions about each rule that I dont understand, if you guys would be kind enough to keep helping me out with explanations.

So the next one is...

6.1.1.5. Batteries must be removed from the robot, inspected and placed into a sealable steel or other suitable heat proof container prior to, and during the charging process. (It is the responsibility of the roboteer to provide this container, which shall be inspected as part of the normal €˜tech check€™.)

So we all know that steel isnt heat proof. I assume that this means non-flammable? Would a biscuit tin do? and Im not sure how I could seal a box that was attached to a charge lead, unless theres something clever going on (charging through induction ;o)

Craig once very kindly showed us the pit area at an event, but my memory is a little bit hazy of the battery charging operations.

I remember seeing a charge plug in the back of Chaos 2, so I assume that in those days the robots were charged in situ. Thats the way I do it with my antweight but I appreciate that safety is paramount.

So what Im basically asking is... How do people actually charge their batteries at an event?

Thanks again - Simon

This only applies to Lipo type batteries, which are more prone to setting on fire either by charging incorrectly or by charging damaged packs and are only allowed upto featherweight class (so far).

Simon, the heatproof container is as Mark says, only needed for liPo batteries.

Now, to get a nice seal for the charging lead trough a steel box, several industrial systems are common. Nothing fancy at all.
We have a nice, cheap and sturdy container available. A munition box. good lock, good sealing and with a bit of creativity, self extinguishing. Firetrace still excists. Just to give you one of the old day sponsors (Chaos II sponsor)

Most people here do not use LiPo in their feathers, but nicad or NiMh. Those that do use LiPo have containers to charge their cells with safely.

Thanks again,

Now...

6.4.
All Featherweight, Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight and Super heavyweight Robots must be fitted with on-off switches that operate both radio receiver and drive/weapon circuits - in practice totally removing all power from the Robot. If there is more than one switch, these must be positioned adjacent to one another.

So if I have a removable link that breaks the circuit between the positive side of the battery and all other components in the robot then does this count as an on-off switch?

Thanks - Simon

yes

OK, thank you all, thats the end of my questions.

Simon