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Thursday, October 15, 2009

Materials Allowed

Any part from the TETRIX system with the following constraints:
No more than eight (8) TETRIX 12V DC drive Motors
No more than twelve (12) TETRIX Servos
Exactly one (1) 12V Rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack. This battery pack may only be used to power the Robot through the HiTechnic DC Motor and Servo Controllers. This battery pack must be identical to those supplied in the kit of parts. (Note: the TETRIX™ battery pack is custom designed with an internal 20 amp protection circuit. Use of any other battery could result in permanent damage to the NXT components and is not allowed). Battery packs are NOT allowed to be used as ballast.
A total of no more than four (4) HiTechnic DC Motor or Servo Controllers (in any combination)
The TETRIX R/C Controller (Product Id W34243), the Infrared Electronic Ball (Product Id W991458) and the TETRIX Speed Controller (Product Id W34244) are NOT allowed.
The TETRIX AA Battery Holder is not allowed.
The Permatex Super Lube provided by the TETRIX system may be used only to reduce friction with the Robot. Lubricants shall not be allowed to contaminate the Playing Field or other Robots.
b. Any LEGO building element with the following constraints:
1. Exactly one (1) NXT Controller must be used
2009-10 FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual
Rev 5 10/06/09 Page 30 FIRST® 2009
2. The NXT controller must be powered either by the NXT rechargeable battery pack or six (6) AA batteries.
3. No more than three (3) NXT Motors may be used.
4. Non-NXT electrical elements are not allowed, with the exception of RCX sensors.
5. LEGO pneumatic elements are allowed. Teams may not modify LEGO pneumatic elements to attempt to change the working pressure limits of the elements.
6. Any LEGO Approved NXT sensor (as indicated by the LEGO Mindstorms NXT Certified – Hardware label)
7. Any NXT compatible sensor from HiTechnic, including the NXT Touch Sensor Multiplexer, NXT Sensor Multiplexer and the NXT prototype boards (both solderable and solderless)
8. No more than one (1) LEGO Power Function Battery Box may be used. It may be used only in conjunction with and to power the NXT Sensor Multiplexer(s).
9. LEGO-Approved NXT extension cables. Approved cables are currently only available from LEGO and HiTechnic.
c. The following additional components may also be used:
1. Polycarbonate plastic sheet (e.g. Lexan), not to exceed 24" x 24" in area or maximum dimension and not greater than 0.10" thick.
2. Kydex plastic sheet, not to exceed 24” x 24” in area or maximum dimension and not greater than 0.040” thick (1 mm).
3. ABS plastic sheet, not to exceed 24” x 24” in area or maximum dimension and not greater than 0.0625” thick.
4. PETG sheet (aka Vivak ® Copolyester Sheet) not to exceed 24” x 24” in area or maximum dimension and not greater than 0.080” thick.
5. Polycarbonate glue/cement is allowed, only for the joining of polycarbonate pieces. Use of polycarbonate glues/cements may or may not be allowed in the pits at tournaments based on site-specific rules or requirements.
6. Aluminum sheet, not to exceed 24” x 24” in area or maximum dimension and not greater than 0.0625” thick
7. Rope or cord any length, not to exceed 0.125” in diameter
8. Plastic-coated wire rope 0.03125” diameter or smaller. Compatible compression sleeves, clamps and hardware may also be used only in conjunction with the plastic-coated wire rope.
9. Non-Slip Pad, not to exceed 24” x 24” in area or maximum dimension (e.g. McMaster Carr Part #69275T54 or Home Depot SKU #134555)
10. PVC piping (of any schedule) 3” inside diameter or smaller, not to exceed 36” in total length
11. Commercial PVC couplings are not allowed.
12. PVC cement and cleaner (only for gluing PVC). Use of PVC cements and cleaners may or may not be allowed in the pits at tournaments based on site-specific rules or requirements.
13. Compatible mechanical fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.)
14. Mechanical fasteners may be secured using Loctite® or a similar thread-locking product. .
15. Rubber bands (size #32 or smaller, i.e. 0.125” thick & 3” in circumference)
2009-10 FIRST® Tech Challenge Game Manual
Rev 5 10/06/09 Page 31 FIRST® 2009
16. Surgical Tubing 0.25" OD or smaller not to exceed 24” total length
17. Electrical tape and/or heat shrink tubing used only for insulation of electrical connections.
18. Universal Security Clips to hold PWM connections together
19. PWM extension cables. These cables may either be purchased from a vendor or fabricated by the team.
20. Any material strictly used as a color filter for a Light Sensor.
21. Hook and loop (e.g. Velcro, 3M Dual Lock) fastener may be used. The fastener may not be used as tape.
22. Non-Metallic Cable ties (also known as Zip Ties) up to 11” in length may be used.
23. The packaging, manual binders, Styrofoam, cardboard, plastic bags, etc. from the TETRIX and/or LEGO kits are NOT included and CANNOT be used for Robot construction. Only the TETRIX and LEGO parts themselves are allowed.
d. For the HiTechnic NXT Prototype Board the following constraints apply:
1. All power used in the circuits connected to the NXT Prototype Board must be derived from the power connections provided within the board. No batteries or external power sources are allowed.
2. Circuits may connect only to the named connections provided by the NXT Prototype Board (i.e. A4-A0, B5-B0, 3V, 4V, 9V, 5V, GND)
3. Communication to the NXT Controller may only occur through the included NXT connector.
4. Sensors connected via the NXT Prototype Board may be distributed throughout the Robot, they do not need to be physically attached to the NXT Prototype Board.
5. Additional circuit boards may be connected to the NXT Prototype Board as needed.
6. The processor included in the NXT Prototype Board may not be reprogrammed
7. Circuits included as part of the HiTechnic NXT Prototype Board may not cause interference with any Robot on the Playing Field, any part of the field management system or any game element.
8. Only visible light LEDs may be connected to the Prototype Board. These visible LEDs may only be used as a cueing signal for the team or for decoration. If used, the purpose must be demonstrated during inspection.
e. The Robot must be designed to be controlled by no more than two (2) Logitech Gaming Controllers
f. Teams may add non-functional decorations from parts not on the above list, provided that these parts are non-functional, do not affect the outcome of the match, are not hazardous to themselves or other teams, and are in the spirit of “Gracious Professionalism”.
g. Vex parts of any type are not allowed.
h. No additional components may be used.

3 comments:

  1. Collin - thanks this is very helpful

    Guys please note we CAN NOT use Vex parts (we could do so last year)

    ReplyDelete