2013 Build Rules and Competition Regulations

[terry]

Naaaa duck tape will do :shock:

[craig_colliass]

Seeing as we have a few days to debate the rule changes and the community has this opportunity to comment on them or ask for clarification, lets see if there are any problems that may occur. From them.

My bit

LiPo
On the question of LiPo in heavies, I am glad to see this included in the rules but remember the EO's have the last say. I would like to hear what they think and the extra checks and proof of skills they may require. The simple interpretation the protection rule is LiPo in metal box that can be removed from the robot easily, do this and your covered, Voltage no problems with this it makes perfect sense with regard to the law any thoughts.

Walkers
The rule for walkers. from what I can tell this means the leg mechanism must have a leg (femur) joint (knee) and shin (Tib, Fib) like Pilgrim is this correct? If so can one count a crank link? like Spiderbot? any thoughts

The pinning rule
I don't have much of a problem with the rule if the EO's can make sure the count is heard by everyone including the audience as in the fights it is difficult to judge time. I think the EO's would like to comment on the practicality on this point. any thoughts

Pit
I don't think the 10 second rule is a bad idea. (this is for FRA comp fights only,count down questions see above) I am hoping the new Saint will treat the pit like a speed bump anyway! to save confusion on the day can the EO's confirm they will comply to this rule? any thoughts.

Hope none of the above offends anyone if so sorry.

[Danjr1]

As a small-time competitor, this is my view:

I've built a new, very solid and compact bot to the current rules which has cost me a lot of time, money and effort to the current rules. I understood that there would a some rule that along the lines of a 2mm+ metal plate beneath the lipo so that's what I've done. The base and removable lid are 3mm steel and the lipo is secured between these and two motors cases which in turn are connected to one mount (there is also foam in there for shock protection). This is the best standard of mounting I've used and all my past methods have passed tech check.

Now, just over two weeks from the start of the season, the rules will probably change. There was no warning that this rule would be stated the way it has been and if its going to be a rule that the lipo has to be in metal box, I can't see how this is fair on people who have been working over the winter to a current rule set? I, for one, won't be able to fit such a box around my current battery which would fit in my bot (unless I use tin foil, but again, that is metal!) so that would be a hell of a lot of money down the drain and I'm not too sure whether I'd be willing to take that.

[robotwars]

Heres my thoughts with my EO hat on.


Lipos.

We used them in Beast in Dublin ( yes a robot with no armour ) but they are in a box and well hidden. We had no issues with them, they didnt even get warm. if you put them in Thor or Mute where batteries at the end of a fight are too hot to touch sometimes with its mag motors then theres more chance of something happening.

i would have preferred a voltage cut off fitted but if we cant then thats fine.

Although i have aggreed to Lipo's, ( everyone knows i was reluctant ) it is on the basis that we are all monitoring whats happening. For example, just because big nipper ran them without any issues doesnt mean everyone will be ok, and doesnt make them safe, it means the trial has got deeper.

One precaution I am considering is a LIPO charging table which will be near the exit of the building. Remove you batteries and charge together, however it is the responsibility of EVERY roboteer that that table is manned at all times. Batteries under no circumstances should be left unnattended while charging, and if i see a table full of LIPO's on charge I will just pull the plug to that table.

Also be aware, even though the rules say they are allowed in Heavyweights, and we are allowing them, they are still on trial in my eyes, so if there is an incident that I'm not happy with, or a fire, or people start to become complacent then they cant be used.

If rules are in place they should be followed at all times. Even at home !! Your silly not to !

Its your choice, but I will be monitoring the use and how people are treating them.

Pit Rule.

I think the 10 second rule is fair, If you can get out in 10 seconds your fine, the same as getting stuck or breaking down. I will be having a 10 second count signal somehow so we all know.

My thoughts.

John
http://www.RoamingRobots.co.uk

[craig_colliass]

Just to clarify I am talking about LiPo in Heavies not feathers.
A steel feather can be picked up and chucked outside, Heavies are a different matter.

[RogueTwoRobots]

if its going to be a rule that the lipo has to be in metal box, I can't see how this is fair on people who have been working over the winter to a current rule set?

It's not strictly 'they MUST be in a metal box only', there is also the option of securing them to a reinforced panel.

I think the key here is the definition of 'reinforced panel', and it could perhaps do with some clarification or expansion. I'm assuming this is more aimed at heavyweights since lipos been allowed in feathers for over two years, although obviously if it's in the rules, it'll apply to feathers too.

For example, Drumroll's base is a square(ish) piece of 3mm steel, a pretty solid number on its own. However it also has bulkheads attached to every edge of the square which, as with any material, provides a degree of reinforcement. My lipo setup is currently: baseplate > layer of foam > lipo > layer of foam > metal lid, and it's contained in a 'box' made up of a couple of pieces of 15mm Nylon bolted on either side. The big question is whether the reinforcing by the bulkheads is considered sufficient to satisfy the rule and I'm still alright to have the lipo sandwiched between the base and a metal lid. I'm happy that it is, but just to make sure I'll be welding an extra bit of 6mm steel onto the baseplate where the lipo resides (9mm total).

However clarification for the benefit of other robots/roboteers who are unsure if their build would meet the rules would be beneficial.

[psychostorm]

Walkers
The rule for walkers. from what I can tell this means the leg mechanism must have a leg (femur) joint (knee) and shin (Tib, Fib) like Pilgrim is this correct? If so can one count a crank link? like Spiderbot? any thoughts

I thought it meant the leg had to lift up & out. Forward & sideways.

The pinning rule
I don't have much of a problem with the rule if the EO's can make sure the count is heard by everyone including the audience as in the fights it is difficult to judge time.

PJ, anything your audio magic can do?

Still can't find the rule where if you haven't touched an opponent for 30 seconds, you're out.

[kane]

7.8.8 has now been removed and replaced with relaxed wording in 7.1

Batteries must be adequately protected within the body shell and securely fixed to minimise the chance of
being punctured or coming loose during combat. In addition, packing such as high density foam is
recommended to reduce the shock of impacts.

Hopefully this will make things clearer for all. The wording was never intended for machines that have heavy armour.

[kane]

The rule for walkers. from what I can tell this means the leg mechanism must have a leg (femur) joint (knee) and shin (Tib, Fib) like Pilgrim is this correct? If so can one count a crank link? like Spiderbot? any thoughts

This is a wording change only to make it a little clearer. To be allowed the additional weight a crank or cam is not sufficient. The system would still only have one degree of freedom.

[kane]

Obviously the majority of featherweight spinners exceed two of the three limits, but I remember the last time I queried this, I seem to recall someone saying that exceeding the limits was only an issue if you were running a 'spinner' (more akin to a rotary flipper) in a Class 3 arena or less. While that makes sense to me, is it worth adjusting the wording of the rule to clarify this? Just in case any new people coming along that are building spinners for full combat events are worried that they have to stick within these limits to be legal.

This rule allows event organisers to vet what machines are coming to their events and hopefully catch anything dangerous prior to the roboteer turning up to the event. While not really a problem with featherweights, should an organiser put on a class 2 heavyweight event we might need to look at this more closely.