Roaming Robots, Preston 29th Feb 2004

[robotwars]

Always ready for suggestions and comments.

or i wouldnt ask

Jonno

[geoff]

Jonno,
One thought that may have saved a lot of the problems with the whiteboard...If, at the begining of the event the roboteers were given a quick briefing to explain the details of how the new format was going to work, then I think a lot of confusion could have been avoided.
My two pennies worth!
Geoff.
(Still a bloody good event though, Well done!)

Good points: Great atmosphere, great battles
Bad points:
The 12-2pm show had five heavyweight fights and two featherweight fights. Thats seven in 120 minutes. Needs to be more I think
Even as a featherweight builder/fan I was a bit disappointed with the entertainment value of some featherweight fights compared to the heavyweight bouts, and the time it took to load/unload/enable six or more in the arena.

We put CHIP and microCHIP on our bench at 9.40am. We didnt get tech checked until 12.18 pm so we didnt get in the arena until 3.30pm and microCHIP only fought once all day.

How feasible would it be to put Ally or steel on the floor?

I dont think its the material thats the problem - its the edges, which obviously cant be avoided short of having a one piece floor and a *much* bigger van (read : lorry) to carry it around in, or a roll up / hinged floor that folds flat which may then cause issues with gaps in the floor and uneven layers.

Maybe if all the edges were nailed and then gaffer taped down even bots like Mute may have problems getting under it. Then again, maybe they wouldnt

-- Kev

Think the ideal floor would be panels routed at the edges, and clamped down with T-Bars all round, to produce a flat, tensioned floor.

Damage occurs when weight of a robots reaches an edge and presses down, forcing it lower than the next panel. (gaffer tape wont stop this) Clamping the joints with T-Bars running the lengh would solve this. Would need to be precise though. Changing panels could also become quicker.

I think a sprung metal floor would become an issue once damage occurs.

MDF has been tried elsewhere, but has chipboard, another completely flat cheap alternative.

just an idea ?

[blazerbotics]

i have to agree with the comments about feathers. Ive noticed at the past few events that the audience quickly becomes bored with them. I have no problems with feathers fighting (as weve been doing them for 3 yrs), but if there are heavys waiting to go in, maybe they should get priority.

just my thoughts

[big_nipper]

Yep, Bulldog Breed, EWE2 and us. We all went under the floor in the first fight. Something we have not done yet in our arena, but all the joints have supports under them and lots & lots of screws in them. Occasionaly we take a lump out of the top layer of the ply but its not too bad.

I think alot of the problems with long delays between fights was due to the arena door.

Best atmostphere at an event so far. (Ears still ringing) If theyre all like this we are in for one great year.