Thermometer Building Issues

[Vienna Robotics]

Hello,


I noticed a couple issues involving the Thermometer mission model.



In the build instructions (9697_Thermometer_BI.pdf page 1) the spindle of the thermometer points West when the thermometer is indicating a high temperature. In direct contrast, in the Robot Game Description there are two pictures (pages 6 & 7) that show the spindle pointing EAST when the thermometer is indicating a high temperature. I’ve sent an email to 'fllrobotgame@usfirst.org' to ask for clarification on the proper way to build the thermometer!



There’s a second issue with the Thermometer build instructions that I’ve discussed with other teams on YouTube. Step 26 shows an arrow indicating to push the axle that the spindle rotates on downward. This is a bit ambiguous. Some teams have only pushed it down slightly and this results in a spindle that turns freely and does not fall into the grooves as it rotates. If you push the axle all the way down in step 26, then the spindle is not as easy to rotate since it falls into the groves as it rotates. I think clarification should be put out for how far to push the axle down in step 26 because the directions are ambiguous. I know the rules (under Mission Storage Temperature) say “the spindle needs to drop all the way.” This won’t make sense to the teams that didn’t push the axle all of the way down in step 26 of the build instructions.


Coach Vienna Roboticshttp://forums.usfirst.org/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Robomom]

I also emailed Scott about the thermometer. He replied
"When the bar points east, the thermometer should read high. Whatever pictures say what, make yours that way, and I’ll investigate."

This led us to flip the temperature reading to the opposite of what it had shown in the build instructions. I expect we will see a game update regarding the thermometer.

I didn't ask about the spindle issue. My team built their thermometer the way you did.

[LOLComets]

Originally Posted by Robomom

...This led us to flip the temperature reading to the opposite of what it had shown in the build instructions. I expect we will see a game update regarding the thermometer.

I didn't ask about the spindle issue. My team built their thermometer the way you did.

Our team did too and simply rotated the bar 180 degrees so it matches the picture.

[natterbus]

In other words, the bar requires a slight upward motion in order to rotate it? That is the way my team built it, and I was hoping it was right. I'm not in a position to argue with my team since I never build with legos

[bluedog23]

OK, just to clarify... which way is the handle pointing when temp is high? Toward base or away from base. East / West is a little confusing as the video got it wrong this year. West is where the base is, but the video labelled that as East.


N
|
W -+- E
|
S

There is a line on the mat, that points away from base. I take it that is start position.


.

[bluedog23]

Sorry, I just watched the video again. It is very clear the handle starts pointed toward base and is rotated to be away from base.

[someonewhobikes]

Originally Posted by bluedog23

Sorry, I just watched the video again. It is very clear the handle starts pointed toward base and is rotated to be away from base.

That's incorrect. Remember, that video has no official standing of any kind; it's a great thing to watch & discuss but don't rely on anything in it.

Look at the mission setup pics; particularly on pages 10 & 11 in the "complete challenge" doc. The handle starts out pointing east, with the high temperature showing. This matches the markings on the mat as well.

[bluedog23]

Thanks for the clarity. We went thru the build instructions twice. Built it wrong twice.
Guess we weren't alone.

[someonewhobikes]

Originally Posted by bluedog23

Thanks for the clarity. We went thru the build instructions twice. Built it wrong twice.
Guess we weren't alone.

No, you certainly weren't alone; the build instructions have the handle reversed. Fortunately, it was an easy fix for us to rotate ours 180 degrees. I suspect the other thousands of teams that built theirs before the rules were out did exactly the same thing.

[Vienna Robotics]

There's a compass just outside of base. It indicates the West side is the four-foot side bordering base. Hence the East side is the four foot side down near the thermometer.