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The rules say the blocks can't be touching eachother until they are stacked. What if the blocks weren't touching but they were attached to eachother by something with space in between each block? if you can restrict thier movement by attaching them to one another you might be able to stack them easier. just a thought....

Do you think the blocks have to remain stacked, or do you think they can be stacked for a little bit and then fall down?

bhsscioly wrote:Do you think the blocks have to remain stacked, or do you think they can be stacked for a little bit and then fall down?

If, by the end of your run, the blocks have fallen down, the judges definitely could consider the task incomplete. Be safe and see if you can get them to permanently stack.

If i drill a hole in the center of the blocks, does that dq the task?

flarpfreak wrote:If i drill a hole in the center of the blocks, does that dq the task?

I submitted a clarification on that a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't heard back yet.

Hi, I'd like to add two clarifications I received responses to.

Question 1: Can the blocks land in a corral / walled structure to help position them (the
structure could be removed after the machine's run has completed to
demonstrate to judges that the blocks are self-supporting)?

Response: The rules clearly state that the blocks must support each other once stacked,
not after the run has been completed. Even a little bit of contact imparts a
bit of force on an object. Thus a corral / wall that touches the blocks
wouldn't be allowed.

Question 2: Are hollow wooden blocks legal?

Response: The rule does not say solid.

lonestar wrote:Hi, I'd like to add two clarifications I received responses to.

Question 1: Can the blocks land in a corral / walled structure to help position them (the
structure could be removed after the machine's run has completed to
demonstrate to judges that the blocks are self-supporting)?

Response: The rules clearly state that the blocks must support each other once stacked,
not after the run has been completed. Even a little bit of contact imparts a
bit of force on an object. Thus a corral / wall that touches the blocks
wouldn't be allowed.

Bummer, that is going to make this task a bit harder.

I think I've found a good way to make the task work.
How about having the blocks lie sideways in a row on a flat plane (like a sheet of wood), then lifting the plane up on one side (with a pulley maybe) from flat to straight up vertical. The blocks would slide into a stack and the plane would be lifted out of contact once the blocks are stacked.
I probably won't have time to implement this by cyfalls invitationals though.

rocketchicka wrote:The rules say the blocks can't be touching eachother until they are stacked. What if the blocks weren't touching but they were attached to eachother by something with space in between each block? if you can restrict thier movement by attaching them to one another you might be able to stack them easier. just a thought....

A very good question/idea.
I don't see anything in rules or clarifications out to-date that would rule that out. Does anyone else see a potential problem?

Balsa Man wrote:

rocketchicka wrote:The rules say the blocks can't be touching eachother until they are stacked. What if the blocks weren't touching but they were attached to eachother by something with space in between each block? if you can restrict thier movement by attaching them to one another you might be able to stack them easier. just a thought....

A very good question/idea.
I don't see anything in rules or clarifications out to-date that would rule that out. Does anyone else see a potential problem?

So, for instance, would having the blocks pretty much stacked except with slips of paper in-between fit into that idea? But i guess if the blocks were THAT close together, they could be considered as in an already-stacked state and whatever "stacking" action you do would just put the blocks in contact, not stack them.