Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

[jonny]

Re: Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

the gas in my robot can now be turned on by hand

[teamshock]

Re: Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

I've been having a read through this discussion and my view is that each robot should be armed up in the safest way possible and what might be safe or practical for one robot may not be for another.

Take Maelstrom for example- if this rule about using a standard tool for gas was made compulsory then it would fall foul of this rule because the tool would have to pass through the wheel and gearbox which isn't very practical, safe or do-able.

However- the tool could still be used to turn on the bottle but not in the way intended- those who have seen how we arm Maelstrom will understand how.

I think that it might be an idea to introduce this rule for any new build though.

[robotwars]

Re: Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

Will,

The way you arm your robot is extremely safe in my opinion.
It is up to each roboteer and his machine.

I think general consensus is leave it as it is.

John

[craig_colliass]

Re: Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

I agree in principle with Jonno on this. I think it has to be the responsibility of the roboteer to ensure that the robot he makes and uses, is as safe as it can be, this means thinking how to arm the robot, to secure flipper/axe arms, how to transport too and from the arena and how to safely charge and discharge Gas storage and batteries. It sounds complicated but in truth most of this we do as best practice with out thinking.

One area that I think EO's could consider is there is a danger of 100kg robots being put on benches between fights this causes potential accidents to people having to lift them nearly 1 meter up and then over to a bench after every fight. I have been at a meeting when the bench holding a heavyweight robot collapsed! I'm not saying ban it what I am suggesting is give us a bit of room so we can keep the HW robots on the trolleys between benches off the walk ways.
I would appreciate it if there were room for the heavy weight robots at the end of each bench (in the heavy weight section of the pits), gaps between the benches would be good. A lot of us now use trolleys to transport the robots too and from the pits. Or like the Saint are not practical to work on when on the bench, EO's know before hand the robots that are booked to come and the teams that now use trolleys, and it would not take too many shows to sort out how best do this.

What do people think?

[mightymouse]

Re: Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

I am with Craig all the way on this one, Meggamouse lives on it's trolley from leaving the car to loading into the arena. It makes for a secure cradle and I can work on it much easier. I too have seen more than 1 bench collapse with a heavyweight on it.
Where possible I try to get an end bench to keep the trolley out of the aisle, but have in the past moved benches along to store in the gap. Some venues are limited in their pit space, I know, but it wouldn't hurt to leave a gap, also, gangways will be kept clear as no-one will have any more excuses.

Tools to turn on and off gas. I made the first one as it was impossible to get my hand into Meggamouse for access. It had been raised at an FRA meeting 3-4years ago by Dave Moulds, but nothing was decided then - it was suggested, though, that it had to use a 17mm socket welded to a handle - so that was what I used. I find it so much safer, if anything is amiss I haven't got my hand buried in the machine. Jonno liked the idea and copied it - well he borrowed mine until I hid it - then he had to make his own.........Toonraider now has one and I am sure Pete feels the benefits when de-gassing using the tool.
I don't think making it compulsory is the way, but for new builds it should be highly recommended.

Trev

[jonny]

Re: Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

on my previous post i meant to say the gas in my robot can now be turned on by hand or by tool

[pressure]

Re: Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

Hi guys, the obvious way to go with this it seems to me is to build a robot that has the gas valve immediately behind the access panel with an M10 nut (17mm spanner) welded on the handle.
In this way the gas can be turned on/off with or without a tool safely.
Mike.

[Bodge Job]

Re: Using tools for arming and disarming robots???

I know I dont have a flipper or any thing, but from what I have seen, I agree with mike. you should be able to turn the gas of safely by hand but to make it safer you should be able to use a universal tool to turn the gas off.