Scioly.org

Is a ramp legal this year?

thsom wrote:Is a ramp legal this year?

Yes. Though this isn't the place for official clarifications and my opinion if merely a opinion. Though the entire mass of your vehicle has to be less than 2kg, since it states the mass needs to be able to be detach for easy measurement.

Thanks! And also, I'm a bit confused by the whole photogate thing... Does the dowel have to be MORE or LESS than 20 cm tall? And if more, how much more would be okay (I saw 25cm earlier but I'd just like to make sure...)

thsom wrote:Thanks! And also, I'm a bit confused by the whole photogate thing... Does the dowel have to be MORE or LESS than 20 cm tall? And if more, how much more would be okay (I saw 25cm earlier but I'd just like to make sure...)

Again, what I'm telling you is merely my opinion and not a official clarification. If you want a official clarification please send your question into soinc.org. But to me, when your vehicle is in motion you need to be able to trigger a 20cm high laser. So your rod is dependent on the position of the back-plate. All in all, if your rod is higher than 20.0cm when your vehicle is in motion, you should be good. It never hurts to make the dowel slightly taller, it would only make the event supervisor's job easier. But event supervisor's will try to accommodate your device as long as it is within the rules.

Could someone explain how to build the wing nut breaking system. I don't understand how to use the threaded rod as an axel?

Makeithappen wrote:Could someone explain how to build the wing nut breaking system. I don't understand how to use the threaded rod as an axel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJwFtkFSuJM
I hope this video will help you.

So the threaded rod is the axel. Would I be able to incorporate this into a PVC pipe body

Makeithappen wrote:So the threaded rod is the axel. Would I be able to incorporate this into a PVC pipe body

Yes, teams like Bayard Rustin have used this idea. They got 1st place at nationals 2 years ago in gravity vehicle. So that idea has worked very well.

Keep in mind that placing and scoring high in wheeled vehicle events is more about consistency in your run and predictability. I won second place at Texas State three years ago with a vehicle I made in 2 hours but spent a good 4 weeks testing and making sure I could work it well.

iwonder wrote:Keep in mind that placing and scoring high in wheeled vehicle events is more about consistency in your run and predictability. I won second place at Texas State three years ago with a vehicle I made in 2 hours but spent a good 4 weeks testing and making sure I could work it well.

Agreed. The vehicle I competed with last year I made in 20 minutes during lunch. Though design does become more of a big deal when you get to higher level competitions where if you don't design your car to be optimized and constructed well. It could lead to a non-competitive score even with a very accurate vehicle.