The SPARC Robot Construction Specifications have been updated with new sportsman class rules.
SPARC Robot Construction Specifications (PDF)
(DOCX)
The new text of section 4.2 is as follows:
4.2. Sportsman Class . A robot may be entered in the “Sportsman” class if it complies with the additional rules in this section. Any robot may be entered in the “standard” class of the same weight.
4.2.1. Active Weapon Required. Your bot must include an active weapon or device. These include but are not limited to lifters, hammers, clamps, spinning weapons (within limitations, see below), etc. Weapons such as a fixed spike that require the movement of the bot to function do not qualify as active weapons. (within the limitations specified in 4.2.3)
4.2.2. Limitations on Spinning Weapons. All devices rotating more than 360 degrees are allowed to operate with a tip speed at or below 20ft/s. (Approximate tip speed = no load RPM * diameter in inches * 0.00436) Weapon rpm will be measured by tachometer prior to the start of the event. Specific weapons of sufficiently high mass or moment of inertia (MOI) may be limited to lower speeds or disallowed by officials if they deem the weapon to be too destructive. Officials may require submission of specifications including motor, voltage, gearing ratio, weapon weight and dimensions prior to the event.
4.2.2.1. Sawing and drilling weapons will be allowed to exceed the 20ft/s limit so long as they meet the following requirements:
4.2.2.1.1. The effective tooth pitch for the saw or saw like weapon is ≥5. (Effective pitch = tooth count / diameter) For example, a 10” saw blade with 60 teeth would meet this requirement. A 10” saw blade with 40 teeth would not. For abrasives the grit size will be used to determine if the requirements are met. (Tooth count = grit * circumference )
4.2.2.1.2. Saws and saw like weapons are limited to the manufacturer’s rated RPM. If you are using a custom blade it will be limited to the rated rpm of an equivalent commercial blade. (± 5% on tooth count, diameter, thickness)
4.2.2.1.3. All weapons operating above the 20ft/s limit must be submitted to the event organizer for approval during the registration period.
4.2.3. Wedge Limitations. Active wedges are allowed with no restrictions. A robot may only have a single passive wedge.
4.2.3.1. An active wedge is defined as a wedge that articulated and actuated independently of the drive system.
4.2.3.2. A passive wedge is any wedge or wedge like object (forks, series of small, hinged, independent wedges along the same face of the robot) that does not meet the requirements for classification as an active wedge.
4.2.3.3. At the event organizers discretion any weapons being primarily used as a passive wedge may be required to undergo modifications to reduce or remove this potential prior to continuing in a tournament should this use result in the robot being in violation of the restriction on the number of passive wedges permitted.
4.2.4. Excessively Destructive Weapons. Weapons deemed too destructive by virtue of their mass, MOI or other characteristics may be further limited or disallowed at the discretion of the event. Please contact the event organizer concerning your design to avoid problems.
4.2.5. Standard SPARC Rules Apply. Unless otherwise stated, all other standard SPARC rules will apply. This includes walkers and their weight bonuses. However, a walker that uses the weight bonus for a spinning (or other) weapon that is too destructive will be disqualified.
