Recently, after setting up the sky rise holder and base on different corners of our field, I realized that the distance between the two objects can change, depending on how the field’s positioned and how they are set up. In general for competitions (especially for worlds,) how do people make sure to keep things consistent? How much flexibility is allowed?
How much flexibility/wiggle room/tolerance/room for error do you guys have integrated into your designs concerning this issue?
<G14> Field tolerances may vary by as much as ±1”, except where otherwise noted, so teams must
design Robots accordingly. Please make sure to check Appendix A for more specific tolerances.
We find at local events, a swift kick to the field corner to “ensure tolerances and field squareness” suffices. Not sure how that goes over at worlds.
In all seriousness, if the walls are screwed into the risen field platform (which I suspect they are), then you will have to adjust to that truely square field dimension for matches. But sometimes skills fields have been on the floor. We will have to see the setup in KY for skills to know how tight the tolerances will be.
Worlds generally uses all have new foam and new elements. It is the spectacle of World Championships for goodness sake! Some previous games like Gateway caused robots issues because of the plasticizer is still on the outside of the element making it very smooth and slick. Skyrise elements could have this effect. Polish up one with some Pledge and buff it real good to get that effect to see if there is a problem.
And since foam tiles are new, you may sink in more than you do at home with your four year old tiles that have been used. Not sure if this will slow you down or make your robot damage field tiles.
Oh, and the vantage point you drive at on a risen field can throw people for a loop. To practice for that, drive while kneeling or sitting on the floor to get the same perspective
So it is not always just the field perimeter variability you will need to worry about but the field tiles and game elements are brand spankin new too.