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PM2017 wrote:I think I just had a nearly trivial, albeit clever idea for the dowel: using a very thin blade, cut along the length of a plastic straw (bigger than 1/4 inch in diameter), and just fold it in to fit into whatever slot you're using for the dowel. It is adjustable but also doesn't move on its own, due to the friction created by the elasticity of the straw.

It doesn't change a whole lot but makes life just a tad bit easier.

What do you mean by dowel exactly?

Alex-RCHS wrote:

PM2017 wrote:I think I just had a nearly trivial, albeit clever idea for the dowel: using a very thin blade, cut along the length of a plastic straw (bigger than 1/4 inch in diameter), and just fold it in to fit into whatever slot you're using for the dowel. It is adjustable but also doesn't move on its own, due to the friction created by the elasticity of the straw.

It doesn't change a whole lot but makes life just a tad bit easier.

What do you mean by dowel exactly?

rule 3.e.
I meant that instead of using some sort of wooden rod for the dowel, you could use a straw.

Hey guys,
Great work.
We just had our first invitational at Northview and won first place.
It took us 15.7 secs to complete the course. Currently, the vehicle is around 350g. We are planning to rebuild it with lighter wood in order to reduce the weight to below 200g.

The distance was pretty spot on, with a distance from the point of 4cm.

Does anyone have any other tips to reduce our score, and how would this current score fare at Michigan states?
Thanks for all your help

Anyone know about how many uses a tomcat mousetrap is good for before it needs to be replaced?

That would be highly variable, depending on the precision that you will use for the determination.
Based on past experience, you could see a loss after about 5 runs. So the students would swap out the mousetraps the night before a competition. As posted before, we saved the best ones for regional and for state as the team would not make nationals.

bernard wrote:

DarthBuilder wrote:alrighty, thanks! what is a good grip for wheels? I have CDs right now. I think balloons should do something for right now until i figure out a better solution?

Sure, and clean them as needed. I've appreciated the precision of Actobotics wheels and their rubber tires but they are heavier. I think Actobotics may make rubber tires for CDs...

Where can I get these actobotics wheels?

terence.tan wrote:

bernard wrote:

DarthBuilder wrote:alrighty, thanks! what is a good grip for wheels? I have CDs right now. I think balloons should do something for right now until i figure out a better solution?

Sure, and clean them as needed. I've appreciated the precision of Actobotics wheels and their rubber tires but they are heavier. I think Actobotics may make rubber tires for CDs...

Where can I get these actobotics wheels?

Try servocity.com

The rules say that i can not use anything electronic. But what if i use a mechanical generator to power a laser for my aiming device. Or is that still electronic?

terence.tan wrote:The rules say that i can not use anything electronic. But what if i use a mechanical generator to power a laser for my aiming device. Or is that still electronic?

While this is not an official clarification (you should go to soinc.org for that) I believe this answers your question.

A generator (and laser, I think) controls an electric current by definition. In my opinion, that would be interpreted as electronic by 99% of event supervisors.

terence.tan wrote:The rules say that i can not use anything electronic. But what if i use a mechanical generator to power a laser for my aiming device. Or is that still electronic?

My experience here is: If you don't have a FAQ, don't do it. You don't want to lose the argument with the ES and get a violation. Many scopes used for firearms have crosshairs that can be tuned in. While it is a more expensive route, a quality sighting device will stay with your team for many years because each vehicle event can use it.