Build Rules 2011

[ady]

can someone clarify for a hw builder with a robot in build, is the weight changing?

[blazerbotics]

no

[swanaldo]

Damn straight its not changing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[grant_ploughbot]

The weight change wasnt something put forward straight away or for the sake of changing things. It was put forward as a suggestion to try and help keep the sport more entertaining (higher flip's, more damage maybe) and also to help save peoples backs at events!

I cant see anhyone actually using the extra pressure for hydraulics - it looks too expensive for most people and tiberius could just double the size of the ram and pump system and still be well in the weight with plenty of power

[typhoon_driver]

if you don't wanna break your back then get the middleweights on the go.

[grant_ploughbot]

If only our arena was a little bigger!

[Kenny]

like mouldy says i don't see anyone rebuilding a heavyweight if the rules was changed , i remember event organisers were complaing because heavy flippers are getting too powerful, if the rules was changed that 20kg is alot of differance at throwing robots i don't see any arena taking the impact of a heavyweight hitting it , does that mean flippers will after be restricted later because this will happen with the technology being put into robots nowadays, plus not having the extra weight for the armour like hardox etc with a weapon in a robot, what will happen is people will start making ramming robots again, making shows worst with boxes pushing each other around

[Chris230291]

what will happen is people will start making ramming robots again, making shows worst with boxes pushing each other around

just as bad as watching flippers vs flippers in my opinion. i want wanton destruction! remember how the robots on tv series were constantly changing and progressing, different new types of weapons were becoming introduced each series? why no more? it seems like all the builders have hit a wall, whats stopping people? i understand that some people (including myself) aren't cleaver engineer type people that can design new types of effective weaponry. its just a shame that those that are maybe capable don't bother, or at least don't seem to be.

[james...venom]

Hi Guys

At Robo Challenge we are also looking at how we can keep the sport evolving. Keep it interesting and fresh. At the 2010 UK Champs it was great to see the awesome spinners and the boundaries that are being pushed to the limits is fantastic. One thing worried me though was the lack of diversity, 3 flippers, no axes & no crushers. With these sort of robots missing I personally feel the sport will evolve in one direction until there are just spinners and bricks (exactly how america has gone and killed itself).

Now we have all had the banning bricks debate, but I don't think it will work right now as there are some great brick machines eg Tiny Toon. Unfortunately people won't build new and different machines unless they can be competitive. At the moment if anybody built a crusher or an axe they would get written off by a spinner and have no impact against the bricks. So I feel we need to look at the rules to encourage different robots to be built. There are a couple of suggestions I am thinking.

1 - Limit the top armour on robots.

This would be very hard to scrutinise however could have a great effect. Not sure that it is possible to do right now.

2 - Limit the weight of robots with out an active weapon to 12kg or lower.

I've discussed this with a few people. Most seem happy with it however I don't feel it will change anything. Captain Scarlett weights just 7kg and is still very competitive. It also just promotes spinners which also isn't what we need. So another thought is...

3 - Minimum ground clearance of 3mm for all robots with either a spinning weapon or no active weapon. (the 2 most popular robot types)

This is what I personally would like to see. I think that it won't take much away from the spinners and the brick bots can still do there thing with the spinners. Robots that don't comply at the moment would only require an easy fix to be back in the rules. It just means those 2 different types of machine (the 2 most popular) are a little more venerable to flippers, crushers and axes. I feel this would encourage these types of machine and make them more competitive.

This is something that I really feel needs to be in place by next year other wise the 2011 UK's is going to be spinners vs bricks and Tiny Toon walks it again. Whats your thoughts

[typhoon_driver]

Ill go for number 3