How can the dowel be moved when the mousetrap vehicle travels?

[shrewdPanther46]

Only the wheels have to fit in to 40x40 square so you could use this for nationals.

That's true, I didn't realize that. It would still be hard for a vehicle to support a rack gear that extends 50cm out to the side unless it is really lightweight.

Alternatively, you could have a gear rack of similar weight extending out the other side.

an unnamed school used a swinging 50 cm arm twice successfully both times. seemed like it might have been a bit lucky but successful anyways

[Unome]

That's true, I didn't realize that. It would still be hard for a vehicle to support a rack gear that extends 50cm out to the side unless it is really lightweight.

Alternatively, you could have a gear rack of similar weight extending out the other side.

an unnamed school used a swinging 50 cm arm twice successfully both times. seemed like it might have been a bit lucky but successful anyways

I have also seen this in action. Provided it's within the rules (I haven't looked at them closely), it appears to be an effective strategy.

[DarthBuilder]

Alternatively, you could have a gear rack of similar weight extending out the other side.

an unnamed school used a swinging 50 cm arm twice successfully both times. seemed like it might have been a bit lucky but successful anyways

I have also seen this in action. Provided it's within the rules (I haven't looked at them closely), it appears to be an effective strategy.

I saw this was well. It looked really effective and both runs did well. It is allowed since the dowel is still touching the cup.

[Zxcvbnm123]

Does the dowel just have to touch the cup at the very beginning?

[shrewdPanther46]

an unnamed school used a swinging 50 cm arm twice successfully both times. seemed like it might have been a bit lucky but successful anyways

I have also seen this in action. Provided it's within the rules (I haven't looked at them closely), it appears to be an effective strategy.

I saw this was well. It looked really effective and both runs did well. It is allowed since the dowel is still touching the cup.

in honesty its not that effective and its not necessary either. I feel like there are too many uncertainties and then also if you are trying to be competitive you need to have low time score which that school didn't have at all... Also, Im not sure how accurate that method actually is because their first run was nice but their second run was significantly off

[Things2do]

Does the dowel just have to touch the cup at the very beginning?

My interpretation of 5d is that it only has to touch in the ready-to-run configuration, and since 7d doesn't mention amy penalties for the cup falling over, which one would think would un-contact the dowel... Plus the fact that you { theoretically} leave the cup at the C.T.P...

Opinions expressed on this site are not official; the only place for official rules changes and FAQs is soinc.org.

[JojoCho]

I have also seen this in action. Provided it's within the rules (I haven't looked at them closely), it appears to be an effective strategy.

I saw this was well. It looked really effective and both runs did well. It is allowed since the dowel is still touching the cup.

in honesty its not that effective and its not necessary either. I feel like there are too many uncertainties and then also if you are trying to be competitive you need to have low time score which that school didn't have at all... Also, Im not sure how accurate that method actually is because their first run was nice but their second run was significantly off

It can be pretty effective and accurate with lots of testing and practice!