What’s Changed for 2016 –Additions, Deletions and Other Changes –Team Custom Part Various Topics Kit Spreadsheet Overview 2016 Kit Review Outline Prepared by David Kwast and Steve Marum April 23, 2016

What’s Changed for 2016

Added 1/8” PVC Plastic Sheet Added #8 Flat Washers Changed #8 Lock Washers to optional Allow shorter lengths on machine screws –The lengths shown in the Kit List are still provided, but teams can substitute shorter lengths if they want 2016 Consumable Kit Changes

Returning Random Elimination Items –3/8” Plywood –2.5” Hinge –Door Spring 2016 Consumable Kit Changes The purpose of the Random Elimination Protocol is that teams cannot always count on a particular item/material being in the kit every year and may need to come up with new ideas to overcome the loss of a particular item/material.

Random Elimination Items for 2016 –All ¾” PVC Pipes and Fittings –Bicycle Inner Tube –Bicycle Brake Cable 2016 Consumable Kit Changes

Deleted Team Allowed/Supplied Items –Aluminum Soft Drink Cans –Aluminum Foil –Golf Ball Tees –Inner Tube Repair Kit 2016 Consumable Kit Changes The main reason to delete these items is to make room for new items. We do not the Kit List to just keep growing.

Additions to Team Allowed/Supplied Items –(25) wire management clips/ties Can only be used on wiring –(25) deck/drywall screws –increase PETE container count to (2) 2016 Consumable Kit Changes Zip ties are also allowed.

Addition of Team Custom Part 2016 Consumable Kit Changes Two team fabricated parts made from any team supplied uniform (homogeneous) material are allowed provided that each part will fit, independently and unconstrained, into a 2” x 4” x 4” cuboid.

2016 Consumable Kit Changes The intent of the Team Custom Part definition/rule is to allow as much freedom as possible to create, but to also be straight-forward for compliance inspection. Inspection recommendations are as follows: Ask if the team is using or planning to use any Team Custom Parts during your “Mall Day” event (this should identify any parts that are questionable) Ask team to bring an extra part to machine compliance if on-machine size determination is not feasible (this should only be required for a questionable flexible part, the size determination of a rigid part on the machine should be routine) The uniform material rule is intended to make inspection less difficult. This is because creating a simple rule that allows composite materials while disallowing assemblies is difficult. Therefore the threshold of what constitutes a uniform material is vey low (if it looks uniform to the naked eye, it will be considered uniform).

Add (2) Window Alarm Sensors –Magnetic Hall-Effect Switches 2016 Returnable Kit Changes Similar to the reed switches and magnets that were used for the Total Recall game. Main difference is that the sensor elements are protected and the sensor is easy to reuse.

Kit Topics for 2016

2016 Kit Topics Evil Molex Connectors We saw increasing issues with poor battery connections at the Molex connectors. The following recommendations have been made previously, but are repeated here: Update any old Cortex units to the “black Molex” Encourage teams to only disconnect at the PowerPole connectors It is possible to improve a poor connection at a Molex Adapter by spreading the members of the contact pin with a knife blade (be careful !!)

2016 Kit Topics Future Kit Developments We (mostly Steve Marum) are working to develop a student assembled sensor. Infrared Red receiver and transmitter Heath Kit type assembly (electronic components are soldered onto a circuit board) “Modifiable” part of the Returnable Kit (unused sensor kits get recycled) After technical development is complete, options for purchasing will be investigated (cost of components is small; cost of having the components “pre-kitted” is uncertain).

Kit Spreadsheet Overview (live walkthrough time permitting)