General Mission Possible

[Flavorflav]

Hi all,

I am judging this event tomorrow and taking a last look through the rules I ran into a couple of issues that I would appreciate some advisory opinions on.

1. The way 3.b.i is phrased implies to me that devices which do not have 4.a as the first task and 4.m as the final task have a construction violation and would be scored in the second tier. Agreed?
2. 3.c allows "mechanical switches" but does not define the term. I could make an argument for or against mechanical relays and reed switches. My gut reaction was to allow the latter but not the former, but I can't justify the distinction and so I am currently inclined to allow both. Any thoughts?

[GoNerdHerd]

I have a question regarding parallel tasks. For the special task, a counterweight falls, lifting a small mas up a ramp. The counterweight itself triggers the next task, however, as the mass moves up the ramp, it tightens a string which prevents granular material from falling out. Is this a parallel or dead end task?

[Flavorflav]

I have a question regarding parallel tasks. For the special task, a counterweight falls, lifting a small mas up a ramp. The counterweight itself triggers the next task, however, as the mass moves up the ramp, it tightens a string which prevents granular material from falling out. Is this a parallel or dead end task?

As described I wouldn't think so, but I'm not sure I understand the scenario. Have you already completed task j and are simply shutting it off? I wouldn't have a problem with that. If that isn't what you are doing, though, I can't offer an opinion based on what you have said.

[chalker]

Hi all,

I am judging this event tomorrow and taking a last look through the rules I ran into a couple of issues that I would appreciate some advisory opinions on.

1. The way 3.b.i is phrased implies to me that devices which do not have 4.a as the first task and 4.m as the final task have a construction violation and would be scored in the second tier. Agreed?
2. 3.c allows "mechanical switches" but does not define the term. I could make an argument for or against mechanical relays and reed switches. My gut reaction was to allow the latter but not the former, but I can't justify the distinction and so I am currently inclined to allow both. Any thoughts?

Unofficially, yes to both your questions / inclinations.

[GoNerdHerd]

What happens is, a pin is yanked out releasing a counterweight that falls. The counterweight lands on a mousetrap to begin the next task. However, as the weight falls, it moves a mass up a ramp. The mass does not make it to the top of the ramp, so I thought it woud be a dead-end task. I then added a string to the back of the mass so that as it moves up the ramp, it tightens the string which will prevent spills of granular material in the final task.

[Flavorflav]

Yeah, I don't think that is going to fly. It sounds like the mousetrap causes the next action, making the ramp a dead-end task. Reaching the top of the ramp doesn't matter at all, it's the fact the the mass on the ramp doesn't cause the next action that is problematic. It has to ba a linear series of operations. Adding the string (and I'm still not sure what that is doing, but I am assuming it is required for proper operation of the final task) simply turns dead-end into parallel.

BTW, thank you for the reply, Chalker. It takes a lot of pressure off to have confirmation, even if unofficial.

[chalker]

What happens is, a pin is yanked out releasing a counterweight that falls. The counterweight lands on a mousetrap to begin the next task. However, as the weight falls, it moves a mass up a ramp. The mass does not make it to the top of the ramp, so I thought it woud be a dead-end task. I then added a string to the back of the mass so that as it moves up the ramp, it tightens the string which will prevent spills of granular material in the final task.

Another way to look at this is to examine the wording of the rules, which say to pull the mass up the ramp at least 10cm, then cause the next action. Say the string between the counterweight and mass were to break, the mousetrap would still be triggered, causing the next action. Thus the pulling of the mass up the ramp doesn't seem to cause the next action in your design (standard caveat this is not the place for official clarifications.....)

[GoNerdHerd]

Okay thank you both very much. Regionals is tomorrow so even if it means I lose 30 points that's better than being second-tiered.

[Orchdork]

Would anyone consider a score in the range of 850-950 a good competitive score for regionals?

Yes that is a good score for regionals. What place did you get?

[Orchdork]

We didn't get all the results yet, but I know we got higher than 10th place (higher meaning 11th, 12th etc.)

Well I'm sure you tried your best. Did your team make it to state because if so then you can improve your device. Last year for Experimental Design my team came last but at state we came in 3rd.