rotation has more of an effect on MOI (Figure
C
).
The most effective beater bars are solid
steel, custom machined using CNC or wire
EDM processes, but there are good low-cost
alternatives. These budget weapons are cut
out of a flat piece of aluminum in an outline of
a rectangle, with a hollow interior; bolts are
mounted to the top and bottom edges to act as a
cheap hardened impacting surface. These can be
cut with only a few operations and are nearly as
effective as more expensive weapons at a fraction
of the price.
HORIZONTAL SPINNERS
These weapons spin in the horizontal plane
and are generally much larger in diameter than
vertical spinners, but they spin at slower speeds.
Most horizontal spinners can be split up into one
of three categories:
Horizontal bar spinners or midcutters have
their weapon mounted off the ground, between
the bottom and top of their chassis (Figure
D
).
Horizontal spinners generally have bar weapons,
as they are vulnerable to vertical spinners. Using
a disk weapon this high off the ground will give
vertical spinners great engagement into the
weapon, making bending more likely. With a bar,
there’s less surface for a vertical to hit, and the
weapon can be made stronger, as it does not have
to span as much area. Horizontal bar spinners
are vulnerable to wedges, as their weapons
struggle to get good bite on hardened surfaces
and get deflected upward. These robots are also
very prone to self-inflicted damage, as their
weapon can be forced into a floor or wall, causing
the robot to ricochet around the arena.
Undercutter weapons are mounted under
the chassis, as close to the ground as possible
(Figure
E
). Undercutter robots attack low on
their opponents with the goal of bypassing
armor and directly hitting important components
such as wheels. Because they spin so low to
the ground, other robots have trouble getting
under them without taking significant damage,
and they’re less vulnerable to vertical spinners.
Undercutters can use either disks or bars for
weapons, but disks are more widely used as they
store energy more efficiently.
Overhead bar spinners can spin weapons
ROBOT RUMBLE! Weights & Weapons
E
D
C
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