Our Bumper Design
A few years ago, the Lake Monsters started making bumpers that could easily switch between the red and blue alliance colors. We have been improving our design every year, and now have this manual for all teams to try.
Before we start making the bumpers, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1) the dimensions of your bumpers will likely be different from ours.
2) the system that you will use to attach your bumpers to your robot will depend on your design.
FIRST requires that all outside corners of the frame perimeter be protected by bumpers. For adequate protection, at least 8 in. of bumper must be placed on each side of each outside corner. This informations is taken from the 2016 competition manual. For the STRONGHOLD game, our team is making 4 corner bumpers, so that is what this example will be showing.
1) the dimensions of your bumpers will likely be different from ours.
2) the system that you will use to attach your bumpers to your robot will depend on your design.
FIRST requires that all outside corners of the frame perimeter be protected by bumpers. For adequate protection, at least 8 in. of bumper must be placed on each side of each outside corner. This informations is taken from the 2016 competition manual. For the STRONGHOLD game, our team is making 4 corner bumpers, so that is what this example will be showing.
Materials
|
|
STEP ONE- make the bumpersBefore cutting and sewing the fabric, make your bumpers out of 5" x ¾" wood and 2 pool noodles stacked on top of each other. It's easier to tape the noodles to the wood if you tape them together first and then tape them to the wood. Our bumpers will be 8" on each side, so that is how we have constructed them.
|
|
|
|
STEP TWO- mark and cut the fabricThe template shown on the left is based on our measurements and the way that the fabric drapes over the noodles. If you're making corner bumpers (L shaped), you can copy this template and adjust the length as needed. The smaller piece to the side is used to cover the end of the bumper. If your fabric has a front and a back, you will need to flip the template over to make the opposite side of the bumper fabric. I always mark the fold lines on the back of the fabric once it's cut out to help me identify the pieces and for arrangement on the bumper.
|
STEP THREE- apply your team numberIf you are marking your bumpers by sewing white fabric in the shape of your team numbers, now is the time to apply the numbers. However, there are other ways as well with pro's and con's to each. We have a table below the instructions with suggestions and our experience with each.
|
|
|
|
STEP FOURPin the fabric as shown. The orange edges go together as shown in the picture below.
|
STEP FIVESew the edges leaving a quarter inch edge. If your fabric does not have a plastic-y backing, you must finish the edge with a zig-zag stitch, or other stitch of your choice. This will keep the fabric from unravelling. Start with pieces that are the same color, sewing side _____ together.
|
|
|
|
STEP SIXSew together the red and blue fabric as shown. Sides ___ should align on each.
|
Applying your team numbers
|
Embroidering the numbers with an embroidery machine
Pro's: very durable, great clean look Con's: uses a lot of thread, takes a long time, a lot of effort for bumpers you will likely only use for one season Heat pressing vinyl numbers
pro's: efficient, crisp edges, fast con's: you need a t-shirt press, or outsource to a company One of our families has a t-shirt press, and this is our new favorite way of applying our team numbers |
Sewing white fabric in the form of numbers onto the bumpers
Pro's: looks good, durable if done right con's: need to treat the edges to prevent fabric from unravelling, fabric glue alone is not enough to keep the numbers on the bumpers, cutting and sewing takes a while White fabric paint
Pro's: clean look Con's: takes a few hours to dry |
