Are packing peanuts allowed on the robot?
Since we allow foam, the judges will permit the packing peanuts.
Less dense and less expensive butter board, which is a form of foam, will be allowed.
NOTE: The McMaster Carr part numbers for the butter board being used by this team are: 3152T51 (for the 10 lbs./cu. ft.) and 315T61 (for 20 lbs./cu. ft.). Each slab of foam is large, but for the size it is not that expensive.
Furthermore, the CDC judges found the below site that had an affordable butter board:
http://www.gsdirect.net/Categories/Presentation+Display+Boards/Illustration+Drawing+Boards/Architectural+Butter+Board). A 40-pack of 32” x 40” sheets is $139, or about $3.50 per sheet, which would be within reach for all teams.
Are their any restriction to the type of foam we are allowed to use, besides liquid?
Some. The foam should not cause damage (leave a residue, make a mess) to the course. The materials that are used in the CDC must be affordable and accessible - that means any other school should be able to obtain/purchase easily. If you are not sure about any material, send us an email.
Cardboard is an approved material. Can it be in tube form...like an empty paper towel roll or a sonotube?
Yes, cardboard tubes are approved.
Can you tell me how thick the white fabric (Poli-Fil Nu Foam within Crater 1) is? Is it layered? If layered, how many layers?
The white fabric is 1/2" thick. We recommend you purchase it from Michaels Arts and Craft store. This fabric is layered within Crater 1. When we layered Crater 1, we cut 5 pieces of the foam, enough to cover the bottom surface of the crater. How you cut the pieces is optional. Just enough to cover the bottom surface of the crater.
Straws are on the list of approved materials. A straw is defined as a slender tube used for sucking up liquid. Polyethylene tubing of a ¼" diameter meets this definition. We are verifying that it is okay to use this material to prevent confusion on the day of the competition.
I spoke with the judges and they agree that the polyethylene is tubing not a drinking straw and will not be allowed.
Pencils are an approved material. We realize we can take the erasers off of the pencil to make use of just the eraser. And our question is, are other types of erasers able to be approved? We are referring to block erasers here.
Block erasers are not allowed in the design of a Team's device. However, teams can use of an unlimited quantity of any part of the items in the "Approved Materials" listing, including the erasers attached to a standard pencil.
Within the approved materials list is foam. Does this include foam board?
Yes you can use foam board in the construction of your device. On the approved material listing, "foam" includes foam board but NOT liquid foam.
Because the Lego® parts needed for building the mecanum wheels (see link above) are not included in the Panasonic Lego® kits provided to advisors with the CDC Material Kit, we will not permit construction of that wheel for the device
I noticed in the kits that there are no wheels. Do we have to make our own or can I use plastic wheels that I use to make solar powered cars (see picture)?
Because the wheels pictured are not on the "Approved Materials" list, they will not be permitted in the construction of a device. Teams have to make their own wheels using approved materials.
I have a question regarding the rule which states that metal is not allowed to touch the course. If we were to take the metal and coat it with either tape or spray paint, would this now be within the rules, since technically, the metal is not touching.
We will allow the tape. It is on the approved material list. Just make sure the tape does not leave any adhesive ton the course. Paint is not on the approved list and will not be permitted.
Is laminated paper allowed to use in the construction of the robot?
Laminated paper is not permitted.
Since nails are on the approved material list, are we allowed to use nails as axles?
Yes you can use nails as axles.
We have a question regarding a material and we were wondering if we could use it on our device. The material guide says we are allowed to use rubber bands (see attached picture below of the questionable material).
Though the item in your picture is made out of rubber, this is not a rubber band and will not be allowed to use in your device.
Is this switch allowed?
Yes, the switch is permitted.
However, one of our CDC judges seem to think that this item could be very draining on the batteries so be careful if you choose to use.
Many Staples particularly in Morris and Somerset county don’t carry the #18 rubber bands. Can you tell me where to order them?
See
Staples link for the #18 rubber bands. They will deliver to your home in 1 business day or have it shipped to the nearest Staples store free of charge.
Foam is now on the approved material list. Can we use styro-foam? Spray foam?
Styro-Foam is permitted. Spray Foam is not permitted.
Can we use gears with a larger tooth count than the ones provided in the kit (i.e. 40 tooth gears). Can we use a larger quantity of gears than the ones provided in the kit?
Gears are not on the list of approved materials, so you cannot use any gears that are not provided in the Panasonic material kit. If you want to make gears out of allowable parts, that is permitted. Also, you cannot use more gears than what is provided in the kit.
The list of accepted materials says we can use modeling clay. Does this include play-doh or crayola model magic?
You can use Play-Doh or Crayola Model Magic. However, it is not recommended because Play-Doh becomes rigid when left out of its container and exposed to the air for a day or more. This is quoted from the Play-Doh web site. "PLAY-DOH compound is designed to use over and over again. If allowed to harden (to preserve a creation), it will most likely crack. Look for oven curable clay at your local craft stores to make long lasting creations." The website also states that if water is added to the clay, it could be restored to softness."
Crayola® compound dries to a resilient consistency within 24-36 hours without kiln firing.
Can the tethered control box be made of wood?
No. Wood is not included on our list of approved material.
Are CD plugs permitted as a material?
No. They are not included on our approved list of materials.
Can we use metal ball bearings or ball bearings of any material?
No. They are not included on our approved list of materials.
Are snap rings or external retaining clips permitted, under the umbrella of washers?
No. they are not permitted.
Can we use LEGO's that are not included with the CDC material kit to build our device and can we use rubber tires that are from a toy car?
You are not permitted to use other Lego parts that are not provided in the kit. Items not listed on the approved list of materials cannot be used in your device. This includes rubber tires from a toy car.
Is fishing line permitted, falling under the umbrella of "string and thread"? Is spider wire permitted under the umbrella of "wire"?
Using fishing line and spider wire is not permitted.
Can WD40 lubricant be used?
This type is of liquid is not permitted
Are we allowed to use metal axle rods, as well as the supplied lego ones? Can we use ball bearings in the axles? Is carbon fiber allowed? In the hand control, are we allowed to put a small computer fan in, to reduce heat and create air circulation? This would be run off of a separate circuit, but still only using the supplied batteries.
All items are not included on approved material list:
1. Metal axle rods: Not permitted, but you can use wooden dowels as axles
2. Ball bearings: Not permitted
3. Carbon fiber: Not permitted
4. Computer fan: Not permitted
On the list of approved materials it lists "switches". Does that include things like potentiometers and other variable output switches that could be used to control motor speed? Or is the switch strictly a 2-way on and off switch.
You will not be allowed to use a potentiometer. The switches are used to maneuver the device forward, backward, sideways, off and on.
Can we use nalgene water bottles?
These water bottles are not permitted. Also, these water bottles have raised concerns for being hazardous to your health.
Just confirm, pre-shaped cardboard (as used for posters, packaging, etc.) Is permissible for "cardboard"?
Yes, you can use pre-shaped cardboard.
Can we use wood putty?
Yes, will permit the use of wood putty.
I have a team that has a question regarding one of the materials on the list. Electromagnets are listed. Their question is whether they may use a solenoid. It is going to be used to create linear motion in a manner similar to those used in pinball machines. It will consist of a coil of wire and the solid steel core rod.
Your team cannot use a pre-built solenoid but they can construct their own solenoid using the parts on the allowable parts list. The materials of the solenoid need to be documented in your logbook.
May we use guitar switches as a toggle switch on the remote control?
Yes, will permit the use of guitar switches. However, resistors and potentiometers are not permitted.
Can I use masonite (type of cardboard) for robot?
No, we will not permit the use of masonite.
Can I use a 1900 metal electric box for the control box?
No, we will not permit the use of the metal electric box.
Can I use house switches?
Yes, house switches can be used.
Are we allowed to make our own wooden dowels?
Yes, you can make your own wooden dowels as long as they are within the limits dictated by the rules
and guidelines.
Is there a minimum number of batteries and motors that must be used?
No there is no minimum. You just cannot exceed the number that is provided. However, we
recommend and encourage you to use all the batteries for a sufficient amount of power.
Can we use a solderless connection/terminals for our device?
After reviewing the solderless connection/terminals the Management team has decided that this
material/equipment will not be permitted.
Are Aluminum or Steel cans allowed for the construction of our apparatus?
Aluminum cans are allowed but Steel cans are not permitted as per the Allowed Material List.
Can rods/dowels of wood less than 1" in diameter be laminated together to exceed the 1" size restriction?
Yes, you can laminate the dowels together. Just make sure each individual dowel is less then 1” in
diameter.
Can we modify the motors supplied in the Material Kit?
No, teams are not allowed to modify the motors that were supplied to them.
Can we build additional motors from items on the approved material list?
Yes, you are allowed to create additional motors from the items on the approved material list.
I would like to use a piece of a clipboard with some of the material attached as the backing of the clip.
Is this allowed?
Our judges reviewed your question and photos. The material (clipboard/clip) will not be allowed in your
design. (Please attach the two photos to this question)
Are Pyrolytic Graphite plates are permitted? Also, are Neodymium Magnets allowed, as they would fit into the permanent magnet category?
We will allow the neodymium magnets, but not the Pyrolytic Graphite Plates.