ROBOT ARM - Division C
Prior to the competition teams must design, build, document and test one robotic device to move scoreable items.
Observers are allowed to watch this event. Observers may not approach or speak to participants while they are competing.
No coaching is allowed. Any observer who interferes or becomes loud will be asked to leave.
You may photograph or record only devices from your child’s school. You may photograph or record only your own child or, with advance written permission given to the head coach, children from your child’s school.
These restrictions also apply to students photographing and recording other students or devices.
EACH device MUST have the school name and the team name written permanently on the device.
Added 01/26/12 Information from the Coaches & Event Captain Meeting Jan. 25, 2012
Bring safety glasses.
There will be a very limited spectator area, but the room has some large windows for spectators.
There will be two competition areas.
Do not tug the robot with the wires or move it any way except 3.c. by energy stored in device components.
National SO Robot Arm web page can be useful.
Fastener: anything that holds two things together.
Both students may operate the robot simultaneously.
Frequency range: use land based channel.
Do NOT test your device once you are in the area of the event. It might trigger other devices.
Added 01/20/12 The following clarifications came from Nationals. They were requested by our State SO.
Question: Can the arm use removable or depositable [sic] tools?
Answer: (section: 6 / paragraph: c / sub-paragraph: vii / line: 1)
Unless the component is still physically connected to the robot in some
manner, the removable or depositable [sic] tool will be considered as the "arm
becom[ing] detached from the optional base" and therefore the time will
stop at that point.
Added 12/17/11 Revised Robot Arm C score sheet
Added 12/16/11 Robot Arm C score sheet
Question: How much do you need to modify a kit?
The answer from Nationals:
The spirit of the problem is for students to design and build a device. This does not necessarily mean each component must be modified by the students, but a token modification of a single component from an entire kit would not be within the spirit of the problem either.
The response from our San Diego Event Captain:
In the spirit of this engineering event, students must "design, build, document and test" [1. Description] a robotic arm.] How they go about doing it, whether using kit components or their own design, is up to them. The unique nature and range of scoreable items will severely limit the number of "off-the-shelf" robotic kits that can be used. Some modification will be necessary. An intuitive, up-and-coming engineer needs to see the potential in what is already designed in kits, but also see how custom designs and modifications can be used to simplify or remedy the kits' limitations.
Added 12/12/11 National clarification:
Question: (section: 4 / paragraph: b / sub-paragraph: / line: 1)
Fasteners are exempt from reporting requirements, but it does not
define fasteners.
Answer: A fastener is intended to hold two or more things together. The event supervisor will use his/her own judgment, but the
following things are fasteners when used as such: screws, bolts, rivets,
washers, straps, nuts, pins, c-clips, e-clips, twist ties, zip ties,
straps, rubber bands, belts used as straps.
Rubber bands used to store energy, or belts used to transfer energy are NOT
fasteners. Axle collars, if used to retain the axle, are fasteners.
Bushings and bearings are not fasteners. They don't hold things together, they reduce friction. Gussets are more structural pieces
than fasteners. The same is true for standoffs or couplers. If a competitor is not sure that something is a fastener, listing
it would be a good idea. Competitors will not be penalized for listing things that are not necessary to list.
Added 11/08/11 The following is a national clarification for Robot Arm C 2012.
Question: Can a personal computer (laptop) be used as part of the controls and inputs of the arm if its battery does not exceed the maximum voltage? Robot Arm C - (section: 3 / paragraph: / sub-paragraph: / line: 1)
Answer: Yes, you can use a laptop for the control system, however you must still submit a technical drawing of the control system, and the voltage and frequency must be verifiable and satisfy the rules. Use of the laptop for outside communication while competing is prohibited. It would be a violation of General Rule #4.
At our San Diego Regional Competition, we will work hard to make sure that there is no outside communication during the event. Our experienced event captain said, “Good old dedicated remote controls would be easiest.” If a computer is used for the control system, the students absolutely must do the programming. The use of a computer for Robot Arm C may make the event more complicated and subject to failure than is necessary, but it is allowed in Robot Arm C 2012.
Added 09/21/11 - Build Events - from the Regional Director
-->> WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES WHILE BUILDING / USING TOOLS <<--
Resources:
- National SO Robot Arm web page.
- scioly Wiki
- scioly Forum
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