2019 Maryland Robotics Engineering

Challenge

Field Layout and Game Elements

Field LayoutNote that the gumball machines have been replaced with the feeder tube. The feeder tube will be in the same location as the gumball machine. The tip of the feeder tube will be located in the center of the tile from side to side.

View from corner opposite red starting tile

Overhead View

Scoring Elements

Small Ring

Specifications

Material: 1” diameter Schedule 40 Electrical

Conduit

Color: grey

Height: 18.00 mm (+/- 0.2mm) / 0.70

inches

Large Ring

Specifications

Material: 3” diameter Schedule 40 Electrical

Conduit

Color: grey

Height: 25.20 mm (+/- 0.2mm) / 1.0 inch

Balance Scale

The completed balance scale (sans the

buckets/goals, and unpainted):

There are four (4) balance scales on the

field

Pieces and Parts

Parts List:

• (1) Grip-Rite 12-in x 3/8-in Spike

oLowes:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Grip-Rite-

12-in-x-3-8-in-Spike/3610436

• (1) ½ inch x 5 ½ inch PVC pipe

(Schedule 40)

ohttps://www.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-

Pipe-1-2-in-x-10-ft-600-Schedule-40-

PVC-Pipe/3133079

• (2) ¾ inch x 16 ½ inch PVC pipe

(Schedule 40)

o https://www.lowes.com/pd/Charlotte-

Pipe-3-4-in-x-10-ft-480-Schedule-40-

PVC-Pipe/3133085

• (1) ¾ inch cross

o https://www.lowes.com/pd/LASCO-

90-Degree-PVC-Sch-40-Cross-

Tee/3371630

• (2) ¾ inch PVC

o https://www.lowes.com/pd/LASCO-3-

4-in-90-Degree-PVC-Sch-40-

Elbow/3339830

• (2) 1 x 3 lumber cut to 14 ½ inch length

• (1) 2 x 6 lumber cut to 12 inch length

• (4) 2 ½ Dry wall screw

• PVC glue (optional)

• Wood glue (optional)

Assembly

Cut 12” spike to 7 ½ inch length

Before:

After:

1) Cut 1 x 3 lumber to 14 ½ inch length

2) Cut 2 x 6 lumber to 12 inch length

3) On 1 x 3 inch lumber, mark drilling

location at 2 ½ inches from the top edge

(lengthwise) and 1 ¾ inches from side

edge (i.e. center, widthwise)

4) Clamp both pieces of 1 x 3 lumber

together, keeping the mark visible.

Using 3/8 inch bit, drill hole at this mark

a. Helpful hint: use one of these first

two pieces as a guide to drill the

other 6 pieces you’ll need for the

other balance scales. This way,

you’ll only need to measure once to

get all 8 pieces prepared.

5) Drill pilot holes to drill holes in 1 x 3

lumber, ¾ inch from bottom edge

(opposite the hole you just drilled)

6) Center 1 x 3 lumber on front,

lengthwise edge of 2 x 6 lumber and

fasten it with the drywall screws so that

the hole is ~12” from the bottom.

Repeat for other piece of 1 x 3 lumber

so that the holes are directly opposite

each other.

a. Note: in the picture, a scrap piece

is used to help line up the 1 x 3 with

the bottom of the base

b. Optionally, you may glue the 1 x

3 lumber to the base. For the official

field, the pieces will be glued

7) Push the ½ PVC pipe through the

middle of the ¾ inch PVC cross

a. Note: we’re still looking for the

best way to fix the cross to the ½

inch PVC pipe. As a temporary fix,

duct tape can be used. The cross

should be centered on the ½ inch

piece.

8) Using the spike for the fulcrum, mount the ½ inch PVC pipe between the 1 x 3 lumber. The spike should pass through each hole

a. Note: You can use a 3/8" X 8" bolt in place of the spike.

9) Connect one length of ¾ inch x 16 ½ PVC pipe (i.e. the scale’s “arms”) to each of the open ends of the PVC cross

10) On the open end of each of the scale’s arms, connect the PVC elbow so

that the elbow open end is point up.

11) The arms and the elbows can be

connection with PVC glue (permanent)

or by wrapping the joints with duct tape

(temporary). The official field will be

glued.

12) The goals will be attached to the

elbows at the end of each arm

Buckets for Balance

2 quart galvanized buckets are avail-

able at Lowes.

The elbows on the arms of the balance should be

turned 90 degrees

Cut a 1/2” deep grove in each elbow for the buck-

et handle.

Put a piece of duck or electrical table over the

bucket handls so I does come off when the bucket

is in the touching the floor.

The buckets should be between 9-10 inches at

the top of the bucket when balanced.

When one bucket is all the way down the other

one is 15” off the ground at the top of the bucket.

Add a screw to each upright, 4” below the

top of the balance upright.

Stretch a 1/4” rubber band over the arm on

each side.

It should take 10-12 rings to make one buck-

et touch the ground.

2019 REC

Feeder Tube

Items Needed

24” long 3” PVC Schedule 40 Pipe

2” x 6” - 8’ long

2X4 or 1X4—12.5”

J Hook Pipe Hanger 3” - Lowes

Cut J Hook Pipe Hanger at the third hole

from the hook end. See picture

1. Cut a 45 degree angle on one end of the 3” PVC

pipe

2. From the tip of the 45 degree angle measure 6”

and mark for the first hanger

3. Measure over 15” from the tip of the 45 degree

angle and mark for the second hanger.

4. Place hanger on the tube as shown in the picture

to the left.

Building the Base

2—2X6 pieces—15” long—Upright

2—2X6 pieces—16” long—Base

1—2X4 or 1X4—12 1/2” long

Mount the upright at a 90 degree angle to the base 8.5” from

one end of the base board

On the side of the base that is 8.5” from edge to the up-

right. Make a right angle mark on the upright 11” above

the base board. Using a 45 degree angle on one upright

from the front to the back below the 11” line. On the oth-

er upright use the 45 degree square to draw a line from

the back above the 11” line.

Use a srap 2X6 to space the two uprights and then screw

the 12.5” 2X4 or 1X4 on to the back of each upright.

Mount the tube with the J hook hanger below the tube

and adjacent to the two 45 degree marks.

Final Feeder Tube

Note that the feeder tube straddles the field perimeter. Note the tip of the feeder tube should be 5.5" from the floor

Also you will need to add the thickness of the field floor

under the outside foot of the feeder tube.