Bumper Support

[FRC599]

"Under the provisions of Rule <R08-M>, the entire length of the BUMPER must be structurally backed by the frame of the ROBOT. Standoffs, stanchions, and spacers used to mount the BUMPERS that result in lengths of the BUMPERS being unsupported will be considered a violation of this rule."

We plan to place aluminum plate (say 1/8in in thickness) across standoffs along the length of the robot so to meet the intent of this rule. The bumpers would be mounted to this plate. Would 1/8" aluminum be considered "structurally backed"?

[GDC]

No. The intent of Rule <R08-M> is to ensure that sufficient structural reinforcement is provided to the BUMPERS to allow them to withstand the high-speed, high-energy impacts that are likely to occur during a typical Lunacy MATCH without failing. A simple flat 1/8-inch aluminum plate mounted on standoffs is unlikely to provide the required structural support for the BUMPERS.