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UK Kilobots - 1.362kg (3 lbs) Combat Robots

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  • #76
    Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

    If we are going to create a new weight class, why not make it 3 lbs (1.362 kg)? This would bring it in line with the Beatleweight class in the US which is a popular and well populated class.

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    • #77
      Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

      John,

      That point was brought up earlier. My view is that there isn't much point building to such a bizarre weight 1.362Kg. Since the upgrade of featherweights to 30lb or 13.6kg there haven't been any transatlantic travels with featherweights that I'm aware of. 1kg is a nice easy to the point weight to build to.

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      • #78
        Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

        I agree. There's no arguement if it's a kilo weight limit. You are either in weight or not.

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        • #79
          Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

          I did first mention the idea of matching up the weight limits with the US but having thought about it, 1kg is a much nicer number
          Plus it's easier to throw on 360 grams spontaneously than it is to take it off, so if we ever want to compete against the Americans, just add some weight.
          Also there's no reason why a 1kg machine can't compete against a 1.362kg machine. Just equates to a 10kg featherweight fighting a 13.6kg featherweight, and there have been numerous occasions where the lighter FW has defeated the heavier FW.

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          • #80
            Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

            Gentlemen,
            Been following this with some interest, and I like what I see. (Mmmm.. a 3lb Pain In The Asp!!) But if I may offer up a couple of comments...

            Weight limit, personally I would keep the limit 'RFL friendly' I.E. 3lb / 1.36Kg. Reasons, both other weight classes (f/w & h/w) have been agreed between the RFL & FRA, and to have a class that is very popular in the states with a different weight limit would put us back to were we were a few years ago with the feathers.
            Plus with a machine of only 3lb in weight is far easier to transport across the pond than a feather, so I wouldn't be susprised to see a little 'Trans-Atlantic exchange' happening in the future if this class were to take off over here, but only if the two sets of build rules are compatable.

            Active weapon rule, This is a tough call, I can see the attraction of active weapons from an audience point of view, but bear in mind that given the level of brushless technology available just how distructive a well engineered 3lb spinner could be. It has been the case at many events in the US that a good proportion of machines are written-off by a good spinner. How many of you want to build a new machine for each event!!
            The only way to defend against this type of 'uber spinner' is the 'uber brick' and believe me those fights can be really spectacular. But the only way to build the 'uber brick, is to forgo a weapon.
            So, this is the problem with an active weapon rule, have one and risk someone producing a very distructive machine and causing a lot of unnessary damage (and expense) to other builders therefore possibly reducing the number of compeating machines available for future events. Or don't have one and risk the chance of 'boreing box syndrome' but the chance of having more machines survive in the long term.
            For what it's worth, as a new class and to make it as accessable as possible to new builders, I would not impose an active weapons rule for now. If you wish to change this in the future once the class is established and popular then fine, but if you go this route take the UK builders along with you and try to do it in consultation with the RFL.

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            • #81
              Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

              Agree with Geoff on the standardised weight.. But the best defence is a good offence.. If you carnt beat a spinner build one thats better

              Tom- its your arena.. you have the say. I think i know what your opinion will be.

              ...Mmm brushless.

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              • #82
                Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                How many of you want to build a new machine for each event!!
                Lol nothing new for me there Geoff! Can't think of an event that hasn't required a rebuild of a machine or construction of a new one :P

                The major problem I have with people building oober bricks is that it takes far less time and cash to build an oober brick than it does an oober spinner. Nothing quick as frustrating as having to rebuild a spinner after it came up against a box that I could have built in a weekend with spare parts kicking around.

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                • #83
                  Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                  How many of you want to build a new machine for each event!!
                  I would also say, at this level of competition, I'd quite happily build a new robot per event, as I was well known for doing with antweights. In fact, I'd build 4 new ones for each event (at least!). Only ever had 1 ant that lasted for more than one event.

                  Yes, I agree that a spinner vs uber-brick fight can be exciting to watch. Some of my favorite robots in other weight catagories have lacked weapons and I'll be one of the first to stick up for a robot that doesn't have one, which I know some people don't like. But I do think enforcing an active weapon rule would allow this class to go in a different direction from the bigger ones, which I think could be it's main attraction. Also, its so much simpler to engineer one at this size of robot; a standard servo can act as a lifting or clamping arm with barely any modification.

                  Plus it would be good to see how people combat the spinners on the offensive instead of opting for the easier defensive route.

                  However, I think final say is with Tom and Kenny, as the instigators of this new class.

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                  • #84
                    Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                    There's an arguement for moving the 1kg weight limit to be more in line with Beetleweights, but the American's have a 1kg class as well don't they? Plenty on the builders database.

                    http://www.buildersdb.com/search_robots ... e=&Weapon=

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                    • #85
                      Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                      Those kilobots are mainly from Canada, as I discovered last night when I saw a link to this:

                      http://www.kilobots.com/

                      I've not gone through every picture in your link Dave but for the majority of which I have, they all seem to state Canada as their location. So that means if any of us want to go across the pond, aim a bit further north and head to Canada instead
                      And there's alwasy the chance of coming up against some familiar opposition *cough* build a kilobot Kody *cough*

                      So, all in favour of bringing this weight limit in line with the Canadians.....oh, wait :P

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                      • #86
                        Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                        I think there Canadian.
                        Me and Kenny have been talking about it, We have decided increasing the weight could be a good idea, If it will get more people interested in building them its worth the change. Im pretty sure it wont put anyone off building one by increasing the weight, So if we gain a few people interested in building them its a good change right?
                        What are all your opinions? Will anyone not build one if the weights brought inline with the US? and will anyone else build one because of the change that wouldnt have built one before?

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                        • #87
                          Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                          Being honest, 1kg is a nice number. Obviously it's purely due to metric/imperial differences that we get things like 1.362kg when converting from US weights. But I will build one regardless of whether it's 1kg or 1.362kg.

                          The draw of building one for me isn't the weight limit, it's more to do with the (hopefully) active weapon requirement and the varied terrain. I'm putting my 6WD with lifter idea on the backburner for now though, just going to try a basic one using surplus servos for a first attempt, maybe with a grab/lift arm on it.

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                          • #88
                            Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                            I'd be happy to build one either way with regards to the weight limit question. Mine will probs end up grossly underweight anyway, as seems to be my tradition :-P

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                            • #89
                              Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                              in terms of weight, 1kg does seem like a nice weight to build to

                              but for the sake of building to 1.36kg so we can match up with the other weight class- doesnt really seem much of a problem, might aswell go with it

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                              • #90
                                Re: UK Kilobots - 1kg Combat Robots

                                Well I'm gonna be the git amongst the pigeons, I want 1kg!

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