Playing Field

[joann halloran]

Reply to this post to ask questions about the Playing Field.

[hotshot2]

Q: With respect to the Trigger movement for Trigger pipe #82 contacting with bushing #99 - as described in section 2.1.4 of the "Zen and the Art of Field Construction manual". We've built a field and the arms move VERY freely - to the point that you can open the arms by dropping the balls into the tube. There doesn't seem to be a specification for the amount of force that the arms can expect a team to have to contact or how freely the arm should move. Section 2.2.4 of the same manual indicates that you might even need to lubricate it. What is the range of force expected for being able to press the trigger?

Thank you very much!

A: There is currently no defined standard. We are working on a simple method to validate the typical force required to trigger the ball release.

[hotshot4]

Q: An IR Beacon will be placed below each of the two high goal openings to be used in conjunction with the NXT IRSeeker sensor. The brief description of the sensor indicates that it can be signaled from a TV remote. Will the IR Beacons be transmitting a specific IR signal that identifies the red or blue opening?

A: The IR Beacons don't transmit specific signals that identify the red or blue goals.

[hotshot4]

Originally Posted by 2009FTC0093
Q: How will the center goal be positioned at the start of every match in relation to the field?

A: The field will be setup at the start of each match as depicted in sheets 1, 2 & 3 of the Detailed Field Drawings found here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...nt.aspx?id=962

[hotshot4]

Q: We have found several references to interlocking black foam mats for the playing surface, but cannot locate such mats on the BOM or ZEN manuals... (we only find red and white foam listed...)

What is the playing surface?

What specifications exist for that surface? Any specific vendors for foam mats?

If it is the Foam Mats, will the field walls sit on top of the rails, or do the mats sit inside the rails, so that the rails and mat both sit on the floor?

A: The interlocking foam mats used at FTC Regional Championships are sold by SoftTiles. The foam mats are colored gray with dimensions 2 ft. X 2 ft. X 5/8” thick. FTC teams receive an educational discount by calling SoftTiles at (888) 477-6532. The SoftTile website is: www.softtiles.com

Teams may use foam mats from other suppliers for their practice fields. Substitute foam mats may have different characteristics such as thickness and friction that may have a small effect on game play.

SoftTile foam mats have a smooth surface on one side of the tile and a ridged pattern surface on the other. The foam mats are installed smooth side up in the Hot Shot! playing field.

The foam mats sit inside the field walls, so that the walls and mat both sit on the floor. The interlocking teeth on the outside edge of the 20 tiles around the perimeter of the field may need to be trimmed so that the tiles fit inside the playing field walls.

[hotshot4]

Q: Where can I find a dimensioned drawing of the basic field: the mat and the border wall? The 'Hot Shot' game specific drawings don't have these dimensions indicated. I am also wondering if there any other specifications for the field like color or material.

A: Field Perimeter Documentation and a 3D CAD viewer file for the IFI (Innovation First, Inc.) field are found here: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex-competitions.shtml. Regional Championships will use either the IFI or FIRST field perimeters. These fields are similar and can be used interchangeably without affecting game play.

Instructions for building a Low Cost Field are found on the FIRST website: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...t.aspx?id=6654

Information about the foam mats are found in Post #5 in the Playing Field thread found here: http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=12917

Color information for paint, tape and foam sheets are specified in the Hot Shot! Bill of Materials found here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...nt.aspx?id=962

[hotshot4]

Q: Our team is new to FTC and trying to build the low cost playing field following the diagrams on the FIRST website.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...t.aspx?id=6654

I can't figure out how it's is suppose to be 12' (144").

There are 3 long pipes that are 43.5 inches. The T-connectors from our local hardware store are 2.75" total (with .75" overlap of pipe on each connection), so the additional length is actually 1.25" per T-connector. There are two 1.75" pieces at the ends that fit into 90 deg connectors. The 90 deg connectors don't add length to the inside of the playing field.

Here are the numbers.

3 x 43.5 = 130.5
4 x 1.25 = 5
2 x 1.75 = 3.5

The total is 139" which is much shorter than the 1" variance on 144".

Even if we add an extra T-connector to the center panel for the side reinforcement, the total is only 140.25".

How do we create a 12' playing field?

Should we be lengthening the small pieces (two 1.75") to get the correct length?

Are the T-connectors we're using shorter than ones available in the US?

Is it the inside of the playing field that should be 144"?

Thanks.

A: The interior dimensions of the Playing Field are approximately 140.5” x 140.5” and the outside dimensions are approximately 143” x 143”.

Field Perimeter Documentation and a 3D CAD viewer file for the IFI (Innovation First, Inc.) field are found here: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vex-competitions.shtml. Regional Championships will use either the IFI or FIRST field perimeters. These fields are similar and can be used interchangeably without affecting game play.

[hotshot1]

Q:I am trying to construct the center goal and have a question.
The dimensions for the screening shown on sheet 18 of the detailed field drawings do not appear to be consistent with sheets 16 and 17 and section 5.3 of the "Zen" manual. There is a dimension of 22 1/2" for the side height of the screen. If you attach the hinge as shown on sheet 16, the bottom of the goal bottom plate (163) will be approximately 22 1/2" from the top of goal face (161 or 162). The instructions call for folding 1" of material under the bottom plate (Zen 5.3.2 and 5.3.3). This means that the height shown on sheet 18 must be at least 22 1/2" + 1".
Should 1" be added to all of the vertical dimensions on the left hand side of sheet 18?

A: The top of the net does not extend to the top edge of the goal face. The net only reaches the bottom edge of the upper 1" PVC tube.

[hotshot4]

Q: Can you give me a rough idea of the total cost of purchasing all the parts for the playing field? Thank you.

A: The estimated cost for all of the playing field elements [excluding the walls and foam tiles] is between $350 and $450 US dollars.

[hotshot4]

Q: How tall should the sides of the playing field be?

A: The playing field walls rest on the floor and are approximately 11.5 inches tall. The foam tiles also rest on the floor and are approximately 5/8 inches thick.