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Balsa Man wrote: Is this an issue/a problem? If it is, we could add a solenoid to pull the trip wire…..

Every event supervisor is going to look at your design a little bit differently. As you indicated, it's not entirely clear how the rules should be applied to your design. If you can simply add a solenoid, I would to make it as unambiguous as possible....

response to Balsa Man's question on releasing latches to deploy robot.

As usual, not the place for clarifications, nothing official, blah blah

As a minimum I'd say you are certainly pushing the intent of the rule, para 3. c. "Competitors must not impart energy directly onto the Arm(s) (i.e., all end effector movements must be powered by stored energy in the device components)." At its most basic, energy is force over a distance, you have to apply at least a small force over a small distance to actuate/allow the larger movement. Sounds like the operator is directly imparting energy into the arm.

Strategically speaking, what's the advantage vs the consequence? If you are trying to avoid a solenoid counting as a motor, why not make it electro magnetically actuated? Turn OFF a magnet releasing the latch. I think that's arguably consistent with the existing faqs/clarifications on electromagnets. And even a solenoid as a motor only applies to ties vs event supervisor ruling a violation of construction rules and being second tiered.

Jeff Anderson
Livonia, MI

Off topic, but can anyone give me the dimensions of a standard half-gallon milk jug?

Thanks, Chalker and Jander,
My thinking is pretty much along the suggested line, that solenoid activation avoids any question. Just hoping not to have to order/wait (can't find any in town for pickup...); not worried about motor #

Sorry, Chalker7- missed your post; the question was legality only; could see the argument it was ok, but also see it was pushing the limits, as challker noted.

Balsa Man wrote:Thanks, Chalker and Jander,
My thinking is pretty much along the suggested line, that solenoid activation avoids any question. Just hoping not to have to order/wait (can't find any in town for pickup...); not worried about motor #

why not just wire up a bolt?

illusionist wrote:Off topic, but can anyone give me the dimensions of a standard half-gallon milk jug?

~ 97mm x 97mm x 210mm

If you want exact specs, there is a Google Sketchup model available you can use (which is what I utilized to create the picture that is in the rules)

illusionist wrote:Off topic, but can anyone give me the dimensions of a standard half-gallon milk jug?

Chalker wrote:~ 97mm x 97mm x 210mm

Is there a reference to the standard number and regulating agency?

Here'sthe best I could find!

Primate wrote:

Balsa Man wrote:Thanks, Chalker and Jander,
My thinking is pretty much along the suggested line, that solenoid activation avoids any question. Just hoping not to have to order/wait (can't find any in town for pickup...); not worried about motor #

why not just wire up a bolt?

Wire up, as in wind up a homemade solenoid around a bolt? Just a matter of time; install a store-bought one = maybe 10 min; build one- cut/drill rod/bolt, cut sleeve, wire wind, make/put in mounting frame, hour and a half/2 hrs....

in the rules it says you get 4 points for putting a pvc pipe in the east goal box and less for the north and west boxes does this mean 4 points for each one no matter how many you put or 4 for only one