:: Field Mat Placement
:: Mission Model Construction
:: Dual Lock
:: Placement Of The Models
:: Field Maintenance
Overview
The field is where the robot game takes place.
It consists of a field mat with mission models arranged on top. Some of the models are secured to the field mat using Dual Lock fastening material. The field mat and the LEGO pieces for building the mission models are part of your Field Setup Kit. The building instructions for the mission models are on a CD, in the same box as the LEGO pieces. We recommend to place the field mat on a smooth surface and to surround it with a boundary. The instructions for how to build the table and how to arrange everything you can find under:
www.hands-on-technology.de/en/firstlegoleague/saison2009/fll_2009/tournamenttable.
Field Mat Placement
Step 1Vacuum the table top. Even the tiniest particle under the mat can give the robot trouble. After vacuuming, run your hand over the surface and sand or file down any protruding imperfections you find. Then vacuum again.
Step 2
On the vacuumed surface unroll the mat so the image is up and its north edge is near the north/double border wall.
Step 3
The mat is smaller than the playing surface. Slide and align it so that there is no gap between the south edge of the mat and the south border wall. Center the mat in the east-west direction (look for equal gaps at left and right).
Step 4
With help from others, pull the mat at opposite ends and massage out any waviness away from center and re-check the requirement of Step 3. It is expected that some waviness will persist, but that should relax over time.
Build The Mission Models - Use the LEGO elements and instruction CD from your field setup kit. It should take a single person between two and three hours to do this, so it’s best done in a work party. If there are any team members with little or no experience building with LEGO elements, mission model construction is a great trainer. This step is also a nice time for new team members to get acquainted with each other.
Dual Lock
The Mission Models can be taken off the field mat for transport and storage. Some are loose but others are secured using a re-usable fastening material called Dual Lock, which comes with the LEGO bricks in your Mission Model Set. Dual Lock is designed to stick or “lock” to itself when two faces of it are pressed together, but you can unlock it too, for ease of transport and storage. The application process for the Dual Lock is only needed once - later the models can simply be locked onto the mat or unlocked. To apply Dual Lock: Stick one square, adhesive side down, on each box you see on the mat with an “X” in it. Press a second square on top of each of those, “Locking” them on, adhesive side up. Lower the model onto the squares.
There are eight levee blocks. Five go in Base (anywhere), and for the remaining three, each one is centered upright on one of the thin red rectangle outlines bordering the purple grid area (no Dual Lock).
Be sure to not distort this model as you secure it. Set the hinged fencelike structure vertical (with the red beam being at its highest point).
The truck is pointed down the ramp with its rear axle being held by the ramp’s red beam. The truck should be centered side-to-side on the ramp, and parallel to it.
Use Dual Lock and place the 4 bumper units as shown on the mat. Once each model is secured, it needs to be “set.” Pull up on the green wheel, wait a few seconds until the black bumper stops swinging, then lower the wheel. A ball under the center of the bumper will settle into a cup.
Use Dual Lock to fasten the walls. Two of these are in the southeast, and one is just north of Base.
Dual Lock Needed - This model is in the middle of the east half of the field, and both ends are identical. After pressing it down, test to be sure its rollers spin freely. If they don’t, be sure the model is pressed all the way down evenly, be sure there is north-south free-play for the axles, and be sure they’re not bent.
Stand four of these on their marks in the northeast, studs up. The last one lies flat across the tops of the three tall black cylindrical columns. Place the square bases of those columns on their marks west of the bridge, toward the north, then carefully balance the sensor wall on top, with its studs facing south.
Stand each of the 8 warning lights on its small black circle, studs up. 5 go between Base and the bridge, and 3 are just north of the east guide wall.
There are 11 loops. 8 of them stand on the mat on their corresponding colored marks with their loops aligned as each mark shows. The remaining 2 gray and 1 red are placed on other models, with their loops aligned parallel to the long border walls. Stand 1 gray loop centered on the sensor wall which is on columns. Stand the other gray loop centered on the southwest axle of the south guide wall. Stand the red loop centered on the east-most axle of the south guide wall. Be sure all loops are vertical.
Field Maintenance
Border Walls
Remove any obvious splinters and cover any obvious holes.
Field Mat
Make sure the mat touches the south border wall and is centered east to west. Avoid cleaning the mat with anything that will leave a residue. Any residue, sticky or slippery, will affect the robot’s performance compared to a new mat. Use a vacuum and/or damp cloth for dust and debris (above and below the mat). When moving the mat for transport and storage, be sure not to let it bend into a sharp kink point, which could affect the robot’s movement.
Keep the models in original condition by straightening and tightening solid connections often.
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Congratulations to Paul Murphy from Munich he is FLL Coach of the Year 2011!
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