Storm the Castle B

[starpug]

Other than receiving outside assistance, what does everyone think constitutes a “competition violation” which would get you 2nd tiered?

I don’t think they are the same things as “Penalties” since these already covered and have their own point deduction (3 points)

I have submitted a clarification but wanted to see if maybe I was missing something obvious.

Goggle removal violation?

[wlsguy]

Thanks for some ideas but so far the things already covered in the rules are:

Penalties (3 points each)
1) Improper eye protection (or wearing it wrong, ie taking it off)
2) being in the lauch area during launch
3) device goes through unintended launch motion
4) no warning prior to launch ( not yelling- "look out, here it comes")

Construction violations (tier 3)
1) size and energy rule violations

Others: (no score for that shot)
1) "subsequent launches scores normally". I think this means the launch does not count.
2) goes through a launch motion but no ball thrown (misfire or forgot the ball)

I have looked over the "competition" section of the rules and have no idea why they placed "competition" violations (as tier 2) before "construction" violations (as tier 3) without letting everyone know what these are. I will post when I get a reply from my clarification.

[bearasauras]

I don't know for sure but I think generally competition violations are any violations under the section called the competition (section 4 in this year's Storm the Castle). I think these would be:
- leaving or receiving outside assistance, materials, or communication during their run
- not placing their device within the 2m x 2m designated square
- using AC powered electrical equipment
- device or counterweight extending out of the launch area
- competitors touching or holding the device or in the launch area or the area in front of the link that mars the front edge of the launch area during a launch

[wlsguy]

I don't know for sure but I think generally competition violations are any violations under the section called the competition (section 4 in this year's Storm the Castle). I think these would be:
- leaving or receiving outside assistance, materials, or communication during their run
- not placing their device within the 2m x 2m designated square
- using AC powered electrical equipment
- device or counterweight extending out of the launch area
- competitors touching or holding the device or in the launch area or the area in front of the link that mars the front edge of the launch area during a launch

I think you may be right but, previously, the last 2 resulted in the shot not counting

-device or counterweight extending out of the launch area
-competitors touching or holding the device or in the launch area or the area in front of the link that mars the front edge of the launch area during a launch

Anyway it will be interesting to see what the response to the clarification request.

[brobo]

ahhh help! Our sling isn't working! No matter what we do, the ball isn't comming out of the sling... it just stays in the whole time!!! What are people doing with their slings to make them work right? How are you making your slings? Please help... I'm desperate...

[starpug]

ahhh help! Our sling isn't working! No matter what we do, the ball isn't comming out of the sling... it just stays in the whole time!!! What are people doing with their slings to make them work right? How are you making your slings? Please help... I'm desperate...

Do you have one side permanently attached to the arm and the other tied to a ring which slides off of a piece of metal coming out of the end of the arm. When I did the even we found that about a 15 degree angle on that finger was ideal.

[emaynard]

I keep hearing the floating arm trebuchet is the way to go because of how far it shoots, but how acurate is it.

[starpug]

I keep hearing the floating arm trebuchet is the way to go because of how far it shoots, but how acurate is it.

If you can shoot 40m, you should be fine even if your treb is only accurate to the meter

[Bubba1960]

Help! Im really confused! I signed up to do this and I kinda... well... dont understand it. I read the wiki but can somebody dumb it down for me?

[robotman]

Help! Im really confused! I signed up to do this and I kinda... well... dont understand it. I read the wiki but can somebody dumb it down for me?

What part is confusing you?

[wlsguy]

I keep hearing the floating arm trebuchet is the way to go because of how far it shoots, but how acurate is it.

Yes, a well built floating arm treb (FAT) will beat a well built A-Treb but a well built A treb will beat an average FAT.

It's all about insuring your design is optimized and you have all of your data and graphs.
If you lose points for lack of data, you will lose regardless of what kind of treb you have.

If you have never built a treb before, check the WIKI and try building the "night before treb".
It is a basic T treb (like an A treb but with less parts and complexity).
I built one of these "table top" size to throw stuff around the room as a demo. Hopefully the photos will be up soon.

As far as dumbing down the event.
1) build a treb or some type of throwing device that uses a counterweight and fits in a 75cm square box
2) take data and make 5 charts for different projectiles, weights, etc
3) go to the competition and shoot whatever they give you as far as you can.

[crazycow2000]

Hello,

Thank you in advance for anyone answering. I am currently participating in the Division C Storm the Castle (It is an NC Only Event). I am building a FAT (Floating Arm Trebuchet). I have two baskets as my center weight. These baskets have room to place actual weights. I choose to use baskets because the Event Supervisor will give each team weights AT THE COMPETITION. These weights will vary between 1-3 kg. My question is that I have two baskets on either side of my guide towers. If the center weight mass provided and it is 3 kg? Will I recieve one weight with 3 kg, or am I allowed to request two weights that are 1.5 kg each? If anyone has built a FAT can you explain how you had to deal with the balancing of weights issue if I only get one weight.


Thank You

[brobo]

Hello,

Thank you in advance for anyone answering. I am currently participating in the Division C Storm the Castle (It is an NC Only Event). I am building a FAT (Floating Arm Trebuchet). I have two baskets as my center weight. These baskets have room to place actual weights. I choose to use baskets because the Event Supervisor will give each team weights AT THE COMPETITION. These weights will vary between 1-3 kg. My question is that I have two baskets on either side of my guide towers. If the center weight mass provided and it is 3 kg? Will I recieve one weight with 3 kg, or am I allowed to request two weights that are 1.5 kg each? If anyone has built a FAT can you explain how you had to deal with the balancing of weights issue if I only get one weight.


Thank You

The supervisors are only going to give you one weight. You MUST use THAT weight. Even if you have a weight of your own that is the same mass, you have to use the one that is given to you. I would suggest only using one basket in the center. Either that or another popular option (and what I chose to do) was to put a eye on the arm that I then hook the CW on when I get there. Either way, you're going to have to put it in the center of your arm.

[emaynard]

What rule keeps me from putting extra weight on a f.a.t.

[brobo]

That would be the almighty "Energy Rule", or more specifically 3.f

The device, without the counterweight and projectile, must not contribute energy to the launch. Example violations include: the axis upon which the firing arm rotates drops during launch, the center of gravity of the unloaded device drops during a launch motion, the triggering process provides momentum to the launch, a form of potential energy (compressed or stretched elastic solids, compressed air, etc.) is used. Without a counterweight and projectile, the launch arm must not make a launch motion when released from any position before the point where the projectile is released. Allowable types of devices include, but are not limited to, counterweight and floating-arm trebuchets, subject to these rules.

What you just asked about is highly illegal in this event.