GAME – FORKLIFTS FOREVER

 

 

MATCH DESCRIPTION

 

You will create a robot that will be capable of moving a small loaded wood pallet (provided) from one location to the other.  The destination location will be up to 8” above the floor so your robot will need to be able to lift that height.

 

REQUIRED FIELD MATERIALS

 

The game requires the following:

 

  • A platform that is 8” off the ground.
  • A mini pallet.
  • Wood blocks that represent goods to be moved on the pallet.
  • Tape to specify both stations.


GOAL

 

You must move all of the provided blocks from the source station to the destination station by using a forklift robot and a provided wood pallet.

 

FIELD OVERVIEW

 

The field has two stations – a source station on the floor and an elevated destination station.  The robot starts between the station over an X on the ground.  The empty pallet is at the destination station and needs to be brought to the source station to get it loaded.  The loaded pallet then have to be moved to the destination station.  Note that you might have to travel back and forth multiple times.

 

 

POSSIBLE WALKTHROUGH

 

  1. The robot starts in a specified location between both stations.  The timer is started.
  2. The robot travels to the Destination station to retrieve the pallet. 
  3. The robot backs out with the pallet in the air.
  4. The robot travels forward to the Source station. 
  5. The robot backs out of the pallet to allow for the pallet to be loaded by hand. 
  6. Once loading is done, the robot picks up the pallet and backs out of the station.
  7. The robot travels forward to the destination station. 
  8. The robot then backs out of the pallet to allow blocks to be unloaded by hand.
  9. If more blocks remain, go to Step 2.  Otherwise, the time is stopped immediately after the pallet is unloaded.

 

PENALTIES

 

Pallet out of bounds – 5 seconds to be added at the end

 

You get a small 5 second penalty if you drop off a pallet and load it when it is out of bounds.  You may not move the pallet with your hand.  This time is added at the end and this penalty can occur many times in one attempt.

 

Cargo crash – 10 second penalty applied immediately while all cargo is returned to source

 

If any of your cargo that is stacked on your pallet falls, you will have to stop using your robot for 10 seconds.  During this clean-up time, we will move all cargo that is with your robot back to the source station (including any cargo that is still on the pallet).  If the pallet itself fell down, then the pallet is moved to the destination station to be picked up all over again.

 

STARTING LOCATION

 

Somewhere between the two stations, there will be an X on the floor.  Your robot starts such that that X is beneath your robot’s main chassis.  The orientation of your robot is up to you.

RULES

 

Cargo stacks – All cargo on the pallet must be stacked one on top of the other.  You cannot place two pieces of wood side by side on the pallet.

 

Backing out of stations – You must back out of the source station.  You cannot drive forward through it.

 

Cargo stacking – You cargo can begin in pre-stacked amounts that can be easily placed on the pallet in one movement.

Drivers – Each member of the team will drive the robot once and complete this task.

Pallet size – The provided pallet is 12” by 12”.

 

Source station size – It will be 15” by 15”.

 

TOP TEAM

 

As a team, your main goal is to get the best average time of all your runs.

 

OTHER GOALS

 

As a team, you also have three secondary goals:

 

1)     Having the fastest single run of the day.

2)     Earning the least average penalties.

3)     Demonstrating the most sportsmanship and enthusiasm.