Welcome to the Rochester Tabletop Robotics League play field page

Class 1 standard tether
4x8 flat blank

Class 1 standard tether

This section describes the standard tether provided for Class 1 robots. This tether can also optionally be used by class 3 robots.

The tether consists of 2 sub cables hung together from the overhead rails via shower curtain clips every 2' or so.
Neither cable is required to be used on a tethered robot.
The first cable is a ~18' long 8 conductor stranded RJ45 Ethernet cable.

This cable will be of Cat 3 grade or better.
It is wired strait though (pin 1 to pin 1 and so on.)
Ends will be terminated in standard RJ45 plugs on each end like this:

Robots and controllers will need to have mating connectors. (see build resources about using inline joiner and cut in half Ethernet cables to make cheap interfaces to this cable harness).
All 8 wires will have a inline 1A fuse to protect the cable. See rules about blown fuses.
The robot end will be approximately 4.25' from the bottom of the rail to the end of the cable.
This length can be coiled up to shorten the cable to suite the robots setup.
The control end will be approximately 4' long from the top rail.

The second cable is a ~14" long 2 conductor power cord.

This cable will be 18 gage or greater "zip cord"
It will be wired pin to socket and socket to pin (extension cord style).
Ends will be terminated in SAE 2 pin power connectors like this:
2 pin SAE power connector

Robots wishing to use more than 1A (per pin) of power will need to use this connection for power.
Both wires will have a inline 10A fuse. See rules about blown fuses.
The robot end will be approximately 4.25' long. from the bottom of the rail to the end of the cable.
This length can be coiled up to shorten the cable to suite the robots setup.
The control end will be approximately 1.75' long from the top rail.

4x8 flat blank

As the name indicates this is a 4'x8' play field with no obstacles.

Play field specific rules:
1.) The over head rails are for cable support only and may not be used by the robot for support.
2.) Robot must fit in a 6"wide x 9"long x6"tall without applying pressure on the side.
Exception for radio antennas or tethered class umbilical cords only.
3.) No weight limit at this time.
4.) Robots may start in any position (as long as rule 1 and rule 2 above is not violated) in the 12"wide x 11.25" deep starting box defined by the edges of the goal (center of the play field) and the row of holes 4 out from the goal.

General play field notes:
- 3/4" wide black stripe in each goal (paint or black tape)
- Play field is made up of 4 2' x 4' plates to facilitate moving and storage. Joints will be kept tight and level as possible but competitors should expect bumps and ridges along these joints.
- Grid of 17/64" holes on a 3" spacing over entire area of play other than plate joints.

NOTE this play field is NOT finalized. Check back later for latest updates.
- TODO goals

Images (click to enlarge)

Google sketchup plans click here.
(Note due to the fact we are using dimensional lumber and hand tools to build this dimensions and flatness will vary slightly from the plans.)