AJ, I can build a low pressure setup that is as powerfull or even more powerfull than a normal FP setup. So that difference is not really usable.
Same for spinners.
I can build a very useless 50000 rpm toothpick spinner or a 500 rpm meltybrain(if Bugs kan make the electronics)
Thanks for the input so far, there have been some very good points raised that I think are well worthy of consideration. Maybe at this point Roaming Robots and XFM would like to add their views as they are the ones that may have to find time in their shows for another class of feathers!
Now the question comes to mind What about me. I have been to numerous events in england last summer 4-5 i believe but I never won a fight and quite often the robot simply didnt work. I never once fought a spinner (for fear that the robot would be destroyed).
So would i still be able to enter the beginners class with my lp pneumatic flipper bot or would i have to enter the high class where my 10mm poly with 12mm ply base would be destroyed?
AJ, I can build a low pressure setup that is as powerfull or even more powerfull than a normal FP setup. So that difference is not really usable.
Sorry, I should have thought about that. But still, Im for a second Featherweight class.
If its a yes/no thing I think there should be a second class. I dont really know what the exact constraints should be though, but theyve got to be easy to judge on the spot really.
Im a 100% behind a second class of feathers, its a great suggestion.
We do need to discuss exactly what makes particular robots become the higher class.
I personally dont think that cost should be a consideration, its not very practical to check this at an event.
I agree on a blanket ban on spinners in the entry class.
I agree on a ban on the more powerful motors.
I think armour should by either aluminium or wood
I think pneumatics should be the cheap compressors only, used with a reservoir. (like some of the early flipper featherweights)
I also think that the entry class fights should be judged by control, style agression etc not damage
Id have to say yes to a two tier system.
Ive always wanted a lower performance class to actually see if there is room for more elaborate entertainment machines that wouldnt really stand a chance otherwise (Napalm, Robopig (I still say that could have righted on the spring!) and Twn Trwn, etc.)
1: Current FRA safety rules to apply I.E. must have a removable link, power light, failsafes, use 40Mhz FM , etc. Obviously
2: No stored kinetic energy (spinning) weapons.
Specify a disc specificly designed to use intertial energy. I wouldnt mind the odd pussycat style blade. Maybe an RPM limit too.
3: Any pneumatic system to be low pressure only. Theres room for cylinder volume here should you want it.
4: No titanium or other exotic materials.
5: Hardox will be permitted. For these 2 Id mention non-usage for shell/ frame structure only. I wouldnt blame a wedge for a ti blade on front or anyone using it for a moving non-drive weapon.
6: No rare earth magnet motors (Astroflight, Magmotors, Thingap motors, etc.) Should this include Dewalts?? If we ban too high some weapons may not have enough power. maybe slip the word drive in here somewhere too...
7: Type or make of speed controllers will not be restricted. Why would you want to???
8: Batteries to be SLA, Ni-Cd or Ni-Mh. Li-poly will not be permitted. Damn right
9: Should there be a financial limit placed on construction of the robot? (Say £250 excluding radio equipment) No, I think the rules are strict enough. Besides its too hard to enforce.
10: These machines to fight within their own class, but will be permitted to fight in the top level if the builder feels brave enough! But no machines from the top level will be allowed to fight in this entry class. If any suicidal machines want to enter with scorpion, thats their business but Im certainately not cleaning the arena after them.
Also I agree with Rob, we shouldnt place the emphasis on damage. Thats why its gotten to the point where we need a sub class in the first place!
I think damage is still neccisary for the lower class otherwise you will lose the robot fighting part of it. I dont think cost should be limited, there are too many loop holes that people could get round.
I think basic limits should be made. Something similar to rexs rules but allowing certain drill/gold motors etc. but again you can get some very powerfull drills and who would test them at an event to see if they are beyond the limit?
Other things to be considered would be armour thinckness, materials allowed and weapon types.
I think an outright ban on spinners is unfortunatly nessisary. I do like fighting some spinners as it gets your guts going which is what i fight the machine for in the first place but i think it would just be too hard to make limits for them.
Armour thickness could also be quite hard to measure, reason being I classify my armour on DB5 as 2mm Titanium but behind that there is 8mm Ally. This is mainly part of the chassis, but also acts as armour. Any ideas on how this situation would be judged if an armour thickness was enfored.
I do think some types of metals should be outlawed for a lower class
Agree no FP pneumatics should be allowed, also agree on the rare earth magnet motors should be banned in the lower class.
so what if you buy a set of motors from somewhere without specs being known to you, should you test them in some way to figure out what class they fall in?
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