Fire N ICE

Problem Statement Version 2

Introduction

We have the Arjun and the T-90. Lets see if you can do better. Design and
build a tank for us and we will test its counter measure and mobility to see
if it can face the perils of war.

Event Format

VIDEO AND ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Participants have to submit a portfolio describing their machine,

consisting of a written abstract and a video of the model before the
competition. This portfolio will be used to shortlist teams for the
competition. Only shortlisted teams will be eligible to participate in Fire N
ICE at Shaastra 2010. The last date of submitting the portfolio is 10th
September 2010. All the portfolios will be used strictly for elimination
purposes. The portfolio is meant to assess the efforts put in by the
participants. Thus even if you are not able to meet the requirements
asked in the portfolio, please send us the portfolio based on the current
state of your machine before the deadline, i.e., even if your machine is
incomplete, send us the portfolio anyway.

FORMAT

A brief write-up containing details on how each part was manufactured or

if it is a ready-made part, then details on where it was procured. If all parts
haven't been fabricated yet, please include details of how you intend to
do so.
The video is meant for visual inspection. If structural parts are found to
have been taken from ready made kits, the team will be disqualified.
For shortlisted participants:

PRELIMS:

Day 1 - DESIGN PRESENTATION:

Teams must present their vehicle to the audience and the judge(s)
explaining the various subsystems.
In this round teams are required to make a PPT presentation of not more
than 15 slides and the duration not exceeding 10 minutes.
The presentation should only brief about the main subsystems: The
Chassis, Suspension(if used), Steering, Transmission systems-type, how
each was manufactured, how each is unique etc. The presentation may
also include any problem(s) faced and how it was solved.
Teams must bring their vehicles for display purposes only (i.e., no need to
start the engine).
The best designed tank will be given maximum points in this round. The
rest of the teams will be awarded points scaled accordingly.

Day 2 - PERFORMANCE ROUND:

Teams will be tested on their vehicle’s rigidity, reliability, maneuverability

and also on their driver’s skills as they try to achieve fastest times on a
slippery and treacherous course. The course will have pits filled with
water, loose sand and mud.
Teams can expect a very challenging and demanding track replicating the
conditions of a battle field.
The prelims will be completed for all teams at the end of the day and the
points will be compiled. The top 8 teams will qualify for the Finals, which is
scheduled on Day 4. The selection formula is approximately 50% design
and 50% performance.
Day 4 - FINALS: The finals will have two rounds.

ROUND 1:
The first round will have a progressive ramp, i.e a ramp with increasing
slope. The ramp will have a discrete increase in the slope. The vehicles will
be tested on their pulling power in this round.
A computer model of the ramp will be put up soon.

ROUND 2:
The second round will have a course with loose sand, ramps and pits filled
with water. The vehicle will have to make its way through the course in
three different timed trials with a different payload in each trial. (Please
note that you will have to be able to tie a rope onto your vehicle so as to
attach the payload) The average of the points obtained in each time trial
will be calculated. The winner will be judged based on the performance in
these two rounds and the design of the machine. First, Second and Third
places are up for grabs.

Technical Specifications

ENGINE:
1) The machine must use only mechanical power generated by an internal
combustion (IC) engine for propulsion. Only one IC engine should be used
in the machine. The use of any other sources such as chemicals,
compressed gas, rockets etc is not allowed.
2) The maximum piston displacement allowed is 3.5 cc.
3) There is no restriction on the type of IC engine (either glow or diesel
cycle engine), but the engine must have throttle control.
4) It is also not necessary to use engine specifically made for cars/trucks.
Airplane engines can be used. However, they will require torque
increment by using gears.
FUEL:

1) The fuel that can be used should have only these constituents:
methanol, castor oil/synthetic oil, nitro methane. The percentage of nitro
methane in the fuel should not exceed 20% by volume.
2) Utmost one filter can be used in the fuel line.

VEHICLE DIMENSIONS:

1) The machine should fit in a box of dimensions 500 mm X 300 mm X 300

mm at every given point of time in the race. The external device used to
control the machine is not considered in the size constraint.
2) The vehicle should have a Caterpillar track on either side for
locomotion.

MACHINE SPECIFICATIONS:

1) Each track must have a minimum of 3 wheels (2 sprockets and 1 road

wheel) and a maximum of 7 wheels (2 sprockets + 5 road wheels).
2) Only one sprocket on either side should be receiving power from the
engine.
3) Any kind of transmission may be used.
4) The machine may have a suspension system. Torsion bar suspension
systems will be evaluated higher in the design evaluation phase. Coiled
spring suspensions will also have this advantage in design evaluation
phase though not as much as the torsion bar suspensions.
5) The minimum wheel diameter allowed is 50mm.
6) The minimum wheel width allowed is 20mm.
7) The vehicle should have a minimum ground clearance of 25mm.
8) The maximum width of the caterpillar track is limited to 35mm.
Diagram of tracked suspension. (1=rear drive wheel (rear wheel drive),
2=track, 3=return rollers, 4=front drive wheel (front wheel drive), 5=road
wheels, 6=idler)

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterpillar_track#Construction_and_Operati
on
9) The length of contact of the caterpillar track with a perfectly flat surface
should be less than 25 cm. The only contact the tank can make with the
ground is through the track.
10) The maximum length of the track is limited to 100cm.
11) All the road wheels should be similar in all respects, though the 2
sprockets can be different from the road wheel and need not be identical
to each other.
12) The body of the exhaust pipe (muffler) should be aligned in a front-
rear direction. The direction of release of exhaust fumes is immaterial.
13) The machine has to be controlled by a wireless remote control
mechanism throughout the competition.
14) The machine must not be made from Lego parts, or any ready-made
assembly kits other than the parts mentioned below. Readily available
chassis layouts are not allowed. Any team with a machine found to have a
ready-made chassis will be disqualified.
15) Remote control systems from toys might be used. Remote control
systems available in the market may also be used.
16) The machine may be roughly classified into structural and functional
parts:

FUNCTIONAL PARTS:

Gears, differential gear shift, engine with clutch, pulley and pulley belt,
braking mechanism, torsion bars, shock absorbers, motors and servos
(non propulsion purposes only), batteries, wheels, wheel hub and tracks,
which are allowed to be used as available in the market.
STRUCTURAL PARTS:

Chassis, body and body cover, steering mechanism and suspension

(excluding torsion bar and shock absorber), which have to be built by the
participants themselves. Judging for the same will be strict and the
participant will be IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED if any of the above
mentioned structural components is found to be ready made.

POWER SUPPLY

a) The machine must have an on-board power supply to provide power to

any mechanism requiring electric power.
b) The potential difference between any two points on the machine
should not exceed 12V at any point of time.

CLUTCH & BRAKE

a) It is very likely that the track speed will vary to a large extent. The
engine may die out if the rpm goes below a certain limit. Therefore,
participants are strongly advised to incorporate a clutch and a brake in
their designs.
b) However, please note that these are not mandatory.

RADIO CONTROLLERS

a) The machine has to be necessarily controlled by a wireless remote

control system.
b) Note that participants are required to bring 2 remote controls of
distinct frequencies or a dual- frequency remote control.
c) Also note that teams might have to control three components of the car
viz. the engine throttle, steering and brake system(if used).
Rules and Regulations

* Each team can comprise of a minimum of two members and a maximum

of five members. Each member must be a student with a valid ID card.
* If the machine is found unsafe to run on the track, that team will be
disqualified from the race. The coordinators decision will be final and
binding in this respect.
* All vehicles should have a complete body covering all internal
mechanisms of the vehicle.
* At the time of registration, teams will be provided with a registration
number and will be allotted time for the qualifying rounds
* Any team that is not ready at the arena at the time specified will be
automatically disqualified.
* The vehicles are not allowed to leave any loose parts on any part of the
arena. Any vehicle disintegrating during the race will be disqualified.
* The teams must adhere to the spirit of healthy competition. The
coordinators reserve the right to disqualify any team indulged in
misbehavior.
* Judges decision shall be treated as final and binding on all.
* The organizers reserve the rights to change any or all of the above rules
as they deem fit. Change in rules, if any, will be highlighted on the website
and notified to the registered participants.
Please feel free to contact us at firenice@shaastra.org