I think I may know where you're going wrong... The first thing to check is that the "length" of each white ice segments matches the lines on the mat. That is, the "front" corners of all the segments (the ones facing the center of the table) line up perfectly on the mat. (Yes, the "hole" for the floating ice chunk on the largest segment is offset from the lines on the mat but the end corners are fine). If they don't match up, your model is built wrong. But the more likely problem is where they connect. Each piece is connected by a gray angled axle connector with a hole in the middle. Each end of the axle connector has a short red axle pin in it and all the connecting ends of the ice segments have a 1x2 white block with an axle hole in it. The problem is that sometimes people put the axle hole block on the outside edge of the model when it should be recessed one stud. The way to check this is to connect all your segments together and look at the grey axle connectors. The only part that should be visible from above is the hole in the middle of the axle connector. If you can see the barrel on either end then the model was built wrong. I'm almost positive this is the source of your trouble. Hope this helps. Stuart ________________________________ From: First Lego League Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sonya Shaver Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 11:30 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] Ice Core Sample Thanks so much for replying Michael, but I am still stumped. Because it does make a difference which end you start. The entire thing will be shifted almost a half inch difference. And we need to know what the table at the tournament will be like. If you start by placing the piece closest to the south wall down first, then work your way up, the model will extend over the blue line about a half inch on the end by the east wall. And if you start putting them down with the piece by the east wall, then it will be shifted by a half inch difference on the south side. Do you know what I mean? Our team is actually working on a mission where they come quite close to the south end of the ice sheet, and it would make a difference if it were sticking out another half inch, or if it was lined up with the blue marks. Am I seeing something wrong? Thanks so much for your help, Sonya On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 11:09 AM, Michael Blanpied <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Sonya, The latest additions to the Q&A page added a clarification on that: RULING 15 (temporary*) - First Ice Segment When placing your Research Area model onto the mat, there's no spec on which end to place first for the same reason you wouldn't need to tell a pair of movers which end of your couch to place down first---As long as it's where it belongs, it doesn't matter. http://firstlegoleague.org/community/fll/gameblog.aspx Cheers, Mike Hi everyone, I still have a question about this. It says to place each segment down one at a time. Which end should you start with? I am thinking the piece closest to the south border. Is that correct? Many thanks, Sonya On Wed, Sep 17, 2008 at 8:36 AM, Greg Robertson <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Kelley Ice Sheet This model had to be changed after the mat went into production, so it does not line up perfectly with its location marks. At first, without Dual Lock, place each segment one at a time on its mark to see where the Dual-Lock location marks miss the model. Shift the Dual Lock as needed for full contact. With the new/correct Dual Lock locations in mind, place Dual Lock as needed, position the first segment, and stick it down. For each next segment, make sure it is completely connected to the last one before sticking it down. Finally, without Dual Lock, place the little red, loopy ice core in its hole with its loop running parallel to the east border wall. From the field setup on the website. Greg ----- Original Message ----- From: Kelley Breene <mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 8:06 AM Subject: [VADCFLL-L] Ice Core Sample Hello Everyone, Our team has a question about the ice core sample. We were wondering- should the model line up with the mat outlines? We have built the largest part of the model and it does not line up with the outlines. It looks like it is built right, so we wanted to see if anyone else was having issues with it. Thanks! Kelley Breene St. Catherine's School ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". ______________________________________________________________ To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE YOUR SETTINGS, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". If you want to join the VADCFLL-ADMIN-L mailing list - to which FLL administrative announcements will be distributed - visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html and select "Join or leave the list".