Hello Everyone
A short introduction first, my name is Alex and I am in the process of designing a new arena for beetle weight combat robot in the UK. I have worked for both Dyson and Robochallenge LTD over the past year and now am pursuing this area build with my father to give safe and challenging location for Roboteers up and down the UK to fight, and also help to draw in more schools and universities into the sport at a weight class that is inexpensive yet still exciting to participate in and watch.
Taking a step back, when Robotwars and Battle bots were on the air in the early 2000's they had a great range of arena weaponry to add that extra bit of spice to fights and provide opportunities for good drivers to excel by taking perhaps more powerful opponents to the arena hazards to help win fights. In the current arena's 10 years on the only hazard to survive is the pit... just a hole in the ground. With a new arena comes an opportunity to design in some of the original arena weapons and help to change the rather static design conventions that have arisen. The Robotwars Flame Pit would bring back something that would not only draw a crowd but help to make roboteers change how they build their machines and help to break the current static design styles.
Of course such a device throws up a whole lot of issues. Safety primarily, then insurance and transport of the device, however, with the right design, I am sure it possible to do safely and practically.
What is needed
Thankfully, this device isn't some hollywood size machine that spews fire 50ft. Due to the size of the arena (2m L x 2m W x 1m H) and the Beetleweight class (1.5kg Maximum weight) The device would only need to get a maximum flame height of 250mm and this is assuming that the actual base of the flame would be 100mm bellow arena floor height to start with so that when idling no fire would be coming out into the arena. The Pit is intended to be a 300mm x 300mm area so if the flame pit could fill a area the same size that would provide a large enough hazard for roboteers to actively avoid it.
Current Concept
We know the very basic principals behind a flame thrower: a constantly lit pilot light which then ignites a jet of gas, usually propane it seems, from a pressurised tank. the arena will sit at least 600mm off the ground so the idea was to have a welded steel box that would hang under the arena and contain the pilot light, the main nozzle and any other additional piping or air intakes. Pipes would then lead out of this to canisters, one for the pilot and primary flame, beneath the arena which would both be fitted with flashback arrestors. The valves that would control the flow of gasses would be in 2 sets. First a pair of manual shut-offs and then inside the arena a pair of servo controlled valves which could be operated remotely. These would be spring loaded so that if power was cut they would return to the closed position.
What we need
We need input on the design to make sure it is both safe and legal. Like arena, which we plan to have certified by the FRA, it would be brilliant if this element could be certified or at least supported by a leading group that is respected for its high level of safety and is known for working to the best practices. The arena will be built this summer with any hazards being slowly developed and added over the next year so their is no rush and effort can be punt into getting it right first time round.
Further Reading
For those who are interested here are links to the various safety documents that outline both robot design and arena design in the UK. Our arena is actually going to be spec'd somewhere between a 'Class 1 Arena' and a 'Class 2F Arena' so that we can safely test our own machines inside it when its not being used, the only difference will be its size. I can provide spec's and current designs if anyone wants to take a look.
Fighting Robots Association Main Page: http://www.fightingr.../content/22-fra
FRA Arena Build Rules: http://www.fightingr...vent-safety.pdf
FRA Robot Build Rules: http://www.fightingr...build-rules.pdf
And here are 2 links to montages of the last 2 British Championships. These are featherweight class machines (13.6kg Maximum Weight) but it gives you a good idea of the conditions that it will be used under.
2013:
2014:
Thanks,
Alex
