Robot Parts and Materials - Answer Thread

[Administrator]

You will find answers to your questions about Robot Parts and Materials in this Thread.

[Sheldon]

Would this be allowed according to rule <R06> g?

http://www.amazon.com/TeleStik-Replacement-Adhesive-Disks-Pack/dp/B000PYSHC4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1378951770&sr=8-4&keywords=telestik

A: Yes, this is considered an adhesive and is a legal part. However, if tihs part is used to pick up blocks and it leaves any sticky residue on the block, then it will be disallowed for that purpose.

[Sheldon]

Andymark has these listed under the FTC parts for a wheel choice. Can these be used on the FTC robots this year?

A: Rule R05.o states that any wheel up to 4" diameter is legal this year. The AndyMark HiGrip wheel meets this criteria and is legal. Note that at an event Inspectors will measure the outer diameter of the wheels (including the tire) to insure compliance with this rule.

[Sheldon]

Rule R05 lists several COTS parts that are allowed including o.) “wheels of any type up to 4 inch diameter”. Rule R02 states that all Tetrix parts are allowed except a few listed. Tetrix sells a 5” diameter tire, product ID W739282. Is this tire legal? It seems to be ok by R02 but violates R05.

A: The 5" Tetrix wheel is a legal part.

[Sheldon]

Coffee beans seem to fit the definition of raw material, but we believe that they may be rejected at the competition because they are not in the set of materials one usually thinks of as raw materials for building robots. Can we have a ruling on whether coffee beans are legal materials and if so, if pre-ground coffee beans violate Rule <R04.d> for being post machined? This sounds ridiculous, but we're serious: http://www.abc.net.au/science/articl...26/3048316.htm

A: Coffee beans are not allowed. Large quantities of small objects, like ball bearings or beans, could cause field damage and require clean-up if the container they are in spills during a match.

[Sheldon]

Are balloons considered raw materials "in a simple, extruded form with little or no post forming or machining that is done by the vendor" <RO4>?

A: A balloon is a legal part. However an inflated balloon is considered a custom pneumatic part and represents an unacceptable risk and is not allowed.

[Wil Wheaton]

Q: Is it possible to use Servo City Servo Blocks <R05>d. made for the 1/4 scale servos (SB6185H)?

A: No. Only the Servo Blocks listed in <R05>.d may be used.

[Wil Wheaton]

Q: R05 d. states that servo blocks are allowed and it gives two examples. Is any kind of servo mounting bracket considered a servo block? For instance, Would Servo City Gearbox (SPG400A) be legal?

A: No. Only the Servo Blocks listed in <R05>.d may be used.

[Sheldon]

In the manual, it states that the use of lego hydraulics is permitted without modifications. What are the restrictions on making our own hydraulic system?

A: Per Rule R09 Lego pneumatics elements are allowed. Lego hydraulic parts are not allowed. Custom pneumatic parts present an unacceptable risk and are not allowed.

[Sheldon]

What is included in the phrase "brackets and fittings" in rule <R05.n>? Is it literally any accessory to the t-slot construction framework?

A: T-slot construction kits have a very wide array of available accessories, not all of which are legal. In general the parts that are legal include the fasteners used to hold the extruded aluminum rails together ( i.e. t-nuts, corner brackets) as well as the linear slide elements. Questions on parts beyond those described will have to provide specific part numbers and a link to the catalog information.