Scioly.org

Yes, that settles the issue, thank you.

chalker wrote:I think we can end this particular conversation now: http://soinc.org/node/896

Thanks chalker. One official clarification

As a side question, what is the mechanism for letting all involved judges and coaches know that there has been a clarification. Say for instance one who doesn't frequent the forum or website?

I'll go fix my box now.

mattravn wrote:

chalker wrote:I think we can end this particular conversation now: http://soinc.org/node/896

Thanks chalker. One official clarification

As a side question, what is the mechanism for letting all involved judges and coaches know that there has been a clarification. Say for instance one who doesn't frequent the forum or website?

I'll go fix my box now.

There isn't one. The infrastructure simply doesn't exist to ensure that every judge and coach at every level gets notified about the clarifications. Of course, we hope everyone at every level checks the clarifications site regularly (or, at minimum once immediately before the tournament) but the only way to ensure that a judge/supervisor is aware of the clarification is to bring a print out of the webpage with you to the tournament.

chalker7 wrote:

mattravn wrote:

chalker wrote:I think we can end this particular conversation now: http://soinc.org/node/896

Thanks chalker. One official clarification

As a side question, what is the mechanism for letting all involved judges and coaches know that there has been a clarification. Say for instance one who doesn't frequent the forum or website?

I'll go fix my box now.

There isn't one. The infrastructure simply doesn't exist to ensure that every judge and coach at every level gets notified about the clarifications. Of course, we hope everyone at every level checks the clarifications site regularly (or, at minimum once immediately before the tournament) but the only way to ensure that a judge/supervisor is aware of the clarification is to bring a print out of the webpage with you to the tournament.

Exactly - which is why emailed clarifications are, forgive me, not worth very much. They are not binding on anyone, not even the recipient, because nobody else knows about them. You can print them out, but I have yet to find a supervisor who even wants to look at them (full disclosure, I've only tried twice). I can see their point, though - it would be very easy to fake an email correspondence. Honestly, statements you guys make on here may be theoretically less official but they are actually likely to carry a lot more weight.

So just to be sure, it can't even be one string (IMA = 1) that is lifting the mass?

mnstrviola wrote:So just to be sure, it can't even be one string (IMA = 1) that is lifting the mass?

I don't understand what you are asking. Can you clarify?

May the mass be lifted by a string that wraps around the axle if it's not a pulley system where you'd be getting a mechanical advantage?

A trick would be to use the heavies possible granular material (for example you can use metal bib's because technically it is granular), but that is just an example. The heavier the material the more mass you can lift with the prattle wheel.

mnstrviola wrote:May the mass be lifted by a string that wraps around the axle if it's not a pulley system where you'd be getting a mechanical advantage?

How else would the mass be lifted by the string if it isn't wrapping around the axle?

chalker wrote:

hogger wrote:According to the rule, the paddle is attached to an axle that in turn attaches to a string that wraps around itself as the wheel turns. Does anyone think that the string can be hoisted up high and hung off an anchor before attaching to the mass? Would that be illegal and considered a pulley? Or maybe pulley is allowed at this point since rule (2) in part m only prohibits attaching pulley where the wheel connects to the axle.

FYI, there have been numerous questions submitted to soinc.org about things like this. The general response is NO PULLEYS at all in the final task. Of course if you want an official response to your specific design, feel free to submit a clarification request on soinc.org

. Sorry, I'm still not quite sure of the answer to this. Would a "anchor" be illegal?