Robot Arm C

[AlterNSO]

I see a rule that may cause some headaches for coaches and judges:

3b. The Device may use modified kit parts and have any number of arms and joints.

Two ways I see to interpret this

1. The way this is written it would seem to indicate that any part from a kit needs to be modified (including things like servos and controls from vex kits), which seems unreasonable. (I consulted an English teacher to make sure my reading was correct.)

2. The way I think it is intended is that a kit may be used but must be modified.

Any thought on which is correct or if I should submit a clarification. I would like to make sure before making any purchases.

[Flavorflav]

I see a rule that may cause some headaches for coaches and judges:

3b. The Device may use modified kit parts and have any number of arms and joints.

Two ways I see to interpret this

1. The way this is written it would seem to indicate that any part from a kit needs to be modified (including things like servos and controls from vex kits), which seems unreasonable. (I consulted an English teacher to make sure my reading was correct.)

2. The way I think it is intended is that a kit may be used but must be modified.

Any thought on which is correct or if I should submit a clarification. I would like to make sure before making any purchases.

I had the same thought and I agree that #2 is probably what was intended, but I do think it has to be submitted for an official answer anyway.

[chalker]

I see a rule that may cause some headaches for coaches and judges:

3b. The Device may use modified kit parts and have any number of arms and joints.

Two ways I see to interpret this

1. The way this is written it would seem to indicate that any part from a kit needs to be modified (including things like servos and controls from vex kits), which seems unreasonable. (I consulted an English teacher to make sure my reading was correct.)

2. The way I think it is intended is that a kit may be used but must be modified.

Any thought on which is correct or if I should submit a clarification. I would like to make sure before making any purchases.

Yes, 2 was our intention, but as usual, this is not the place for official clarifications.

[Flavorflav]

For purposes of 4.b, what would you count as fasteners besides the obvious nuts, bolts and rivets? Bushings? Axle collars? What about mounting brackets, spacers or washers?

I am afraid that we may end up having to measure and list a hundred components, which I am not looking forward to at all.

[twototwenty]

Is the time limit for the run time still three minutes?

[chalker]

Is the time limit for the run time still three minutes?

Yes

[twototwenty]

To anyone with experience in this event, is that enough time to complete the task without needing an incredibly fast robot?

[jander14indoor]

To anyone with experience in this event, is that enough time to complete the task without needing an incredibly fast robot?

Incredibly fast is a little vague, but I'd say no. Too fast and you'll just knock things everywhere and out of play. Too slow and you won't finish everything.

Last years nationals winner (yes I saw them all) succeeded not because of a special robot, it was certainly a good one, but nothing special, mostly VEX components if I remember right. He had a plan, had obviously practiced it, and had incredible focus. Few mistakes.

The cheap OWL robots straight out of the box are too slow, I'm not even sure with practice you could get more than half the objects.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

[Flavorflav]

In case anybody is looking for one of the cheap ones Jeff mentioned, the company is actually OWI, not OWL. They make a couple of different cheap arms, but as Jeff said you shouldn't expect to clear the board with one.

[sachleen]

In case anybody is looking for one of the cheap ones Jeff mentioned, the company is actually OWI, not OWL. They make a couple of different cheap arms, but as Jeff said you shouldn't expect to clear the board with one.

Apart from being pretty slow, the arm won't have the reach or the lifting capacity to move all of the objects. Still, not a bad option for getting some points.