Scrambler C

[The Jekyll]

So, how is Impound run in states across the country. Are the Scramblers tested for build rule compliance at impound and teams are allowed to make modification to the device before the end of impound or are the devices just impounded and compliance is tested when the teams show up for their runs? I ask this for several reasons. First, the rules this year state that "any materials to repair or to bring the scrambler into compliance must be impounded". Second, the scoring guideline say the an ES may allow the device to be brought up to spec. but not that they have to allow this. I can see this being allowed at a regional competition but state competitors should be held to a higher standard. The third reason is at our state competition last year, we had at least 20 schools that did not meet the rules, therefore impound was a zoo.

[bernard]

So, how is Impound run in states across the country. Are the Scramblers tested for build rule compliance at impound and teams are allowed to make modification to the device before the end of impound or are the devices just impounded and compliance is tested when the teams show up for their runs? I ask this for several reasons. First, the rules this year state that "any materials to repair or to bring the scrambler into compliance must be impounded". Second, the scoring guideline say the an ES may allow the device to be brought up to spec. but not that they have to allow this. I can see this being allowed at a regional competition but state competitors should be held to a higher standard. The third reason is at our state competition last year, we had at least 20 schools that did not meet the rules, therefore impound was a zoo.

At our state tournament last year, devices were checked before impound, so teams with devices that did not comply with the rules could adjust their devices. However, at our state tournament two years ago, for Gravity Vehicle, I remember adjusting our ramp within our scheduled time because the supervisors did not check for compliance with the rules until teams tested their devices.

[Cheese_Muffin_Man]

Does anyone have a clue as to what scores may be competitive at states/nationals? For nationals, I'm envisioning that at least 20 or so teams try the bonus. So,what do you guys think may be a competitive time as well as distance score for a run with the bonus?

[bernard]

Does anyone have a clue as to what scores may be competitive at states/nationals? For nationals, I'm envisioning that at least 20 or so teams try the bonus. So,what do you guys think may be a competitive time as well as distance score for a run with the bonus?

At the Islip Invitational in New York, only one of the twenty teams that tested successfully completed the bonus, but I know that there was at least one other scrambler that was capable of attempting the bonus. Similarly, at our Interlake Invitational in Washington, my scrambler was capable of making turns, only I hadn't tested it enough to attempt the bonus.

[joeyjoejoe]

At the Islip Invitational in New York, only one of the twenty teams that tested successfully completed the bonus, but I know that there was at least one other scrambler that was capable of attempting the bonus. Similarly, at our Interlake Invitational in Washington, my scrambler was capable of making turns, only I hadn't tested it enough to attempt the bonus.

Out of curiosity how did that team's bonus run go?
Did they out perform their own straight run?

[bernard]

At the Islip Invitational in New York, only one of the twenty teams that tested successfully completed the bonus, but I know that there was at least one other scrambler that was capable of attempting the bonus. Similarly, at our Interlake Invitational in Washington, my scrambler was capable of making turns, only I hadn't tested it enough to attempt the bonus.

Out of curiosity how did that team's bonus run go?
Did they out perform their own straight run?

The team at Islip that attempted the bonus had a run time of 3.48 seconds without attempting the bonus and a run time of 3.74 seconds with the bonus. For the run where they attempted the bonus, the distance score was 1.5 cm greater, which isn't bad at all.

[sciolyscambler]

how are people designing a way to steer their car if they want to go for the bonus. my immediate thought was just to have my front axel and its two wheels be on their own piece of wood, and that this entire piece of wood would swivel on the main body of the car, with a nut holding it down. however, i don't know how this would hold up during the run. Like if the axel would swivel a tiny bit during the launch, throwing the entire steering system off. Another question about tires. I have been using rubber bands as tires, but i would like to get tires that actually cover the sides of the wheels, instead of only covering the edges of the wheels (like these: http://scioly.org/gallery/displayimage. ... &pid=1441)). I would imagine that taking some rubber tubing, slicing it down the middle to make a semi circle shaped piece of rubber, and gluing it on the wheel would work. If so, what type of rubber tubing would you say is very grippy and that i should purchase. what is the best tire for your wheel?

[bernard]

how are people designing a way to steer their car if they want to go for the bonus. my immediate thought was just to have my front axel and its two wheels be on their own piece of wood, and that this entire piece of wood would swivel on the main body of the car, with a nut holding it down. however, i don't know how this would hold up during the run. Like if the axel would swivel a tiny bit during the launch, throwing the entire steering system off. Another question about tires. I have been using rubber bands as tires, but i would like to get tires that actually cover the sides of the wheels, instead of only covering the edges of the wheels (like these: http://scioly.org/gallery/displayimage. ... &pid=1441)). I would imagine that taking some rubber tubing, slicing it down the middle to make a semi circle shaped piece of rubber, and gluing it on the wheel would work. If so, what type of rubber tubing would you say is very grippy and that i should purchase. what is the best tire for your wheel?

If you are using CDs for wheels, Servocity sells rubber tires that fit CDs well. I prefer buying Servocity's wheels, hubs, and shafts because they're made precisely so you have minimal amounts of friction when rotating and the wheels are naturally parallel when assembled. In the past I've bought bearings to reduce friction but I've found that with their 1/8" shafts, it's more efficient without bearings.

Buying their wheels ($20 for four hubs, $1 for a shaft/axle, about $10-15 for four wheels depending on size) is more expensive than making your own CD wheels but having gone through the frustration of making perfect wheels, paying more is worth it.

[iwonder]

How well aligned were your bearings when you tried that with a 1/8" axle? And also do you know what was lubricating the bearings?

I had a 1/8" axle and bearings on my scrambler (and gravity vehicle) and I'm having a hard time picturing a setup that has less friction without using bearings...

[sciolyscambler]

i do it differently. I use mounted ball bearing so that all i need to do is use screw to secure them to my car. I also use a threaded rod as my axel for my wingnut breaking system.

If you are using CDs for wheels, Servocity sells rubber tires that fit CDs well. I prefer buying Servocity's wheels, hubs, and shafts because they're made precisely so you have minimal amounts of friction when rotating and the wheels are naturally parallel when assembled. In the past I've bought bearings to reduce friction but I've found that with their 1/8" shafts, it's more efficient without bearings.

Buying their wheels ($20 for four hubs, $1 for a shaft/axle, about $10-15 for four wheels depending on size) is more expensive than making your own CD wheels but having gone through the frustration of making perfect wheels, paying more is worth it.

I already have wheels that i would like to continue using. They have a 5 inch inner diameter. Do you think that the servocity 4.65 inch I.D. tire is soft enough for me to stretch over my 5 inch wheel?

Also if anyone has an idea about steering the car in order to get the bonus, that would also be helpful.