VEX Gateway Manual Updates

[Karthik]

This thread will be used to publish updates to the VEX Gateway Game Manual

[Karthik]

On April 26th, 2011, The following updates will be made to Section 2 The Game of the VEX Gateway Game Manual.

<SG2> was updated to say the following. (Bolded text for emphasis)

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

[FONT=&quot]<SG2> [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Prior to the start of each Match, each Alliance will have two (2) Barrels and two (2) Balls availableas *Preloads, *one (1) of each per Robot. A Scoring Object is considered to be legally preloaded if it is touching the Robot or a legal *Preload, *and would not be considered Scored if there was no contact with a Robot. Preloads may also not be touching any Goal. (See figure 11)[/FONT]

This change was made to ensure that teams did not start with any Scoring Objects in a *Scored *position. Basically, teams cannot position their *Preloads *such that they are Scored or touching a goal.

<SG5> was updated to say the following. (Bolded text for emphasis)

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

[FONT=&quot]<SG5> [/FONT][FONT=&quot]During the Autonomous Period, Drivers and Coaches may handle their own Robot while the Robot is in contact with their own Alliance Starting Tile. During contact with the Robot, the Drivers or Coaches may not intentionally manipulate or modify the position of any Scoring Objects (aside from any which are being loaded into the Robot), either by direct hand contact or indirect contact via the Robot. Drivers or Coaches also may not change the configuration of the Robot other than in the act of fixing the Robot (i.e. it is okay to reposition the robot relative to the field, but it is not okay to manually lift up the Robot’s arm).[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The intent of this rule is to allow teams to fix Robots that are unable to move, to load Match Loads into the Robot, to reposition and/or reorient Robots, and to activate additional autonomous modes by interacting with the Robot via sensors or buttons.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The intent of this rule is not to allow teams to manipulate their Robot in such a way that they are controlling the Robot via human contact or creating motions that lead to scoring.[/FONT]

This clarification was made to make it crystal clear that the handling of *Robots *during the Autonomous Period was only for repairs, repositioning, aiming or to press buttons. We do not want teams manipulating or controlling their robots via human contact.

<SG9> was updated to say the following. (Bolded text for emphasis)

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

[FONT=&quot]<SG9>[/FONT][FONT=&quot]: Robots are not permitted to remove (descore) any Scoring Objects which are considered Scored by clause 1 of the definition of Scored. Once successfully Scored under clause 1, a scoring object cannot be legally removed from a goal even if it is no longer meets the clause 1 requirements. Violations of this rule will result in a Disqualification. (See figure 14)[/FONT]

This clarification was added to eliminate multi-stage descoring. The only Scoring Objects which can be descored from the *Circular Goals *are those which are above the plane of the Goal. Once a Scoring Object is below that plane, it can no longer be legally descored.

<SG13> was updated to say the following. (Bolded text for emphasis)

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

[FONT=&quot]<SG13>[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Teams are not permitted to lift their Gate when an opposing Robot is legally interacting with their Gate. Violations of this rule will result in a Disqualification of both teams on the offending Alliance. [/FONT]

The wording was switched from “touching” to “interacting” to bring this rule in line with <SG12>.

If there are any questions about these changes, please ask them in the Official VEX Gateway Q&A.

[RoboDesigners]

Could these changes be logged in a “revision history” at the end of the Gateway manual? (for easier printing…)

Thanks,
Andrew

[DinerKid]

Why not just print the above post and paper clip it to the end of the manual? You could even go through and highlight the rule number of rules that have been updates. Karthik’s above post is great because it not only shows the rule changes but it gives additionally the intention of the change.

~DK

[Foster]

Karthik’s rule posts are all great because he takes the time to point out the rule, what it says and what the interpretation is. I’ve been in other Q&A where someone says “Can we do X” and get back a one word answer. Each of his posts are a teaching moment.

Now if we could only get people to do a search on them before asking the same question over and over.

[Karthik]

On June 1st, 2011, The following updates will be made to Section 2 The Game and Section 4 The Robot of the VEX Gateway Game Manual.

Clause 2 of the definition of Scored was updated to say the following (bolded text for emphasis):

@Definition of Scored

2. A Scoring Object is not fully below the top of the PVC pipes of a Circular Goal and partially within the outer ring of the Circular Goal and is not within the outer ring of any other Circular Goal. (See figure 5)

This is to prevent a Scoring Object from being in a Scored position in the two Circular Goals straddling the Fence. The intent of this change is to ensure that each Scoring Object only counts as being Scored in a single Goal.

<SG9> was updated to say the following.

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

<SG9> Robots are not permitted to alter the score of any Scoring Object that is Scored by clause 1 of the definition of Scored. Once an object is successfully scored under clause 1, a Scoring Object’s value cannot be altered (i.e. the object cannot be descored, and moving this object cannot affect which alliance receives a bonus point) even if it no longer meets the clause 1 requirements. Violations of this rule will result in a Disqualification. (Note: Altering a Scoring Object’s value does not include the use of a Doubler or Negation Barrel). (See figure 14)

The intent of this change was to ensure that any object that is Scored within a goal under clause 1, never changes value. This means that once a Bonus Point is earned or an object is Scored, it cannot lose it’s value. So, if you manage to wedge a Scoring Object between the PVC pipes, changing which Scoring Object is closest to the floor, this will not effect the Bonus Point.

<R7c> was updated to say the following.

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

<R7> Robots are allowed the following additional “non-VEX” components:
c. Any 6-32, 8-32, M3 or M4 screw up to 2" long, and any commercially available nut to fit these screws.

The intent of this rule was to allow teams more freedom to choose their type of screw head, as has been commonly requested by the teams. We know that our competition teams have very demanding needs and we hope this rule modification helps serve these needs.

[pwnageNick]

Thanks for the updates Karthik. This is definitely handy because this way it just shows up at the top of the posts instead of having to dig around to find the rule updates.

-Nick

P.S.- That screw-head rule change will definitely come in handy. No more stripped screws!

[Karthik]

On August 3rd, 2011, The following minor update will be made to Section 4 The Robot of the VEX Gateway Game Manual.

<R7g> was updated to say the following (bolded text for emphasis):

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

[FONT=Arial]<R7g> [/FONT]A small amount of tape may be used for the following purposes:
[FONT=Arial] i. [/FONT]For the sole purpose of securing any connection between the ends of two (2) PWM cables.
[FONT=Arial] ii. [/FONT]For labeling wires and motors.
[FONT=Arial] iii. [/FONT]Teflon tape solely for the purposes of preventing leaks may be used on the threaded portions of pneumatic fittings.
[FONT=Arial] **iv. **[/FONT]**For securing and retaining a VEXnet key to the Cortex Microcontroller. Using tape in this manner is highly recommended to ensure a robust connection.
**

The intent of this rule is to allow teams an additional method to keep their VEXnet key securely mounted to their Cortex Microcontroller. We highly recommend that all teams utilize this option.

[Karthik]

On August 26th, 2011, the following updates will be made to Section 2 The Game of the VEX Gateway Game Manual.

<S3> was added, stating:

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

<S3> At no time during competition, practice or setup should anyone be on a field while a Gate is in the up position. Furthermore, at all times when a Gate is in the up position it must be latched using the provided velcro strap. Please see Appendix A for full instructions on how to use the strap.

The intent of this rule is to ensure no person is ever on a VEX Gateway field while the Gate(s) is up. Also we want to make sure that people are always using the provided velcro strap to secure the Gate when it is in the up position.

<SG14> was updated to say the following. (Bolded text is new.)

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

<SG14> Robots may not enter or exit an Isolation Zone** (i.e. intentionally touching the foam field tiles in the new zone)** while the Gate associated with that Isolation Zone is down. Simply breaking the plane of the new zone is legal. Violations of this rule will result in a Disqualification.

The intent of this modification is to make clear what constitutes entering or exiting a zone. This had been explained on the Q&A, but is now part of the manual. Teams may break the plane of a new zone while the Gate is down, but may not intentionally touch the foam field tiles in the new zone. Also added is the repercussion of breaking this rule.

<SG15> was updated to say the following. (Bolded text is new.)

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

<SG15> Team members may not enter the playing field until the head referee has given the “all clear” signal and both Gates are down. Violations of this rule will result in a Disqualification.

The new text was added to make it clear that this offense will result in a disqualification.

[Marc_Couture]

What if a robot needs to be moved so that a gate can be lowered to the closed position? In other words it is in the way of the gate being closed.

[Thorondor]

@Marc Couture

What if a robot needs to be moved so that a gate can be lowered to the closed position? In other words it is in the way of the gate being closed.

Gates never close in the match. once they are opened they stay open for the entirety of the match.

[Oliver_W]

@Thorondor

Gates never close in the match. once they are opened they stay open for the entirety of the match.

This is about after the match. There is a rule that says you can’t go onto the field until the gates are down, but if a robot is physically preventing that then having that rule causes a bit of a problem. We’ve talked about building a robot that would drive under the gate at the end of the match and then be unable to be driven back out after the match was over. Then the tournament would be unable to proceed, if this rule were taken absolutely literally. (It was a joke, of course).

[Karthik]

On November 7th, 2011, the following minor updates and clarifications will be made to Section 2 The Game of the VEX Gateway Game Manual.

The definition of Bonus Point was updated to: (new text is bolded)

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

Bonus Point – A Bonus Point is earned for the lowest Scored Ball or Barrel (closest to the foam field tile)
within a Circular Goal.

This clarification was made to make it clear that Bonus Points are only earned for legally Scored Scoring Objects.

Rules <SG5> and <SG6> have both had the following texted added to them.

@VEX Gateway Game Manual

Violations of this rule will result in a warning for the first offense. Subsequent offenses or an egregious first
offense will result in a Disqualification.

This clarification was made to make it clear what the penalty was for violating these rules.

[Karthik]

On January 18th, the following changes were made to Appendix A of the VEX Gateway Game Manual.

• Added field dimensions requested by teams to the specs section
• Changed orientation of the bottom goal rings such that the logo now faces upwards