Rookie Team 3357 The COMETS Kicker Prototype

[GGCO]

Check out our latest videos of our kicker prototype. We're using a pneumatic powered flap to launch the ball over the ramp. We're a rookie team, so I'm EXTREMELY impressed with what we've accomplished so far.

http://www.youtube.com/user/cometsrobotics

You can follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/cometsrobotics

And check out our VERY temporary website at http://firstobjective.org/foresthills

Let us know what you think!

[DonRotolo]

We're a rookie team, so I'm EXTREMELY impressed with what we've accomplished so far.
I'm impressed too! Very nice.

[BrianT103]

Looks really good, the ball gets just the right amount of air in order to go over the bumps. I have a few questions:

How many cylinders are you using for the flapper, what diameter/throw is your team using?

Does the flapper stay within the 2 inches/2 second rule?

What type of material is your flapper, what thickness?

[Chris Fultz]

Very Cool.

I do have a question. I heard someone say "119, 120", and then the compressor was turned off.

Remember you can only operate the pneumatics at 60 psi, even though the storage tanks can be at 120.

Maybe you are set up that way, but i just wanted to be sure.

[Nawaid Ladak]

great job guys, congrats on the kicker. Hopefully we see this on your final designed robot come march.

Good luck!

[GGCO]

Very Cool.

I do have a question. I heard someone say "119, 120", and then the compressor was turned off.

Remember you can only operate the pneumatics at 60 psi, even though the storage tanks can be at 120.

Maybe you are set up that way, but i just wanted to be sure.

Yes we had 120 in the two tanks we were using, but we did not release all of that at once. So to answer your question, I'd have to double check, but I think that we were operating the pneumatics at 60 psi.

Looks really good, the ball gets just the right amount of air in order to go over the bumps. I have a few questions:

How many cylinders are you using for the flapper, what diameter/throw is your team using?

Does the flapper stay within the 2 inches/2 second rule?

What type of material is your flapper, what thickness?

We are using one cylinder, and yes the flapper does stay within the 2inches/2seconds rule. Currently the flapper is made out of (roughly) 1/8" plastic material.

Hopefully there will be more progress today, and I'll have new videos on our YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/cometsrobotics)

[nathan.chupp]

Nice job. I can't wait to see more on your guys.. ::safety::

[terryo]

Nice job. I can't wait to see more on your guys.. ::safety::

Simple and effective. Great way to start!

I anticipate a guard will be employed up front to prevent 'possessing' more than one ball as you cruise toward the goal.

Keep up the good work:cool:

[GaryVoshol]

Very nice. I hope you guys make it to the State Championships so I can see the final version in competition.

[rsisk]

Great job!

How fast is the recycle time for another kick? How about a picture from above so we can see the setup.

[Vikesrock]

Simple and effective. Great way to start!

I anticipate a guard will be employed up front to prevent 'possessing' more than one ball as you cruise toward the goal.

Keep up the good work:cool:

I don't see anything on the robot right now that can possess one ball, nevermind several. Remember, a possessed ball is defined as staying in the same position relative to your robot if your robot moves. A ball pushed by the front of this robot will not satisfy that criteria; when moving the robot backwards or turning a ball will simply roll away.

[Shawyan]

I like it, why diameter is the cylinder you are using?

Also, just a side note (a difficulty we are coming across), whatever you are using to keep the ball at the proper position for the kicker, will almost always (unless you find a way around it), interfere with the projection of the ball when kicked.

And sorry for being a critic, but I'm worried about the bumpers and if they will interfere with the ball.

Overall, extremely good and simple device. Nice way to KISS.

[EricLeifermann]

Its not a 2in 2 second rule. It is a rule that states you can extend beyond the frame perimeter, up to the bumper perimeter, under the bumper zone for up to 2 seconds. So if you do the math you can actually extend up to 3.25 inches beyond the frame perimeter. You have a 3/4" plywood backing and a 2.5" diameter foam water-noodle.

[GGCO]

Thanks for all the great encouragement and concerns! There are more pictures up on our Facebook group. I hope you enjoy! Thanks again!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=photos&ref=ts&gid=186836602739

[GGCO]

Here's the latest video guys!
youtube.com/user/cometsrobotics

As you can see, our kicker has been upgraded and we're able to make it over the bump easily.

Also, here is a bird's eye view of the robot (this is an older picture - a more up to date one would show motors mounted).

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs125.snc3/17237_1280196039692_1073787706_30874240_6345538_n. jpg

[Jones571]

very nice kicker with good loft.


Does the flapper stay within the 2 inches/2 second rule

There is no 2" rule. You are allowed to extend any kicker or ball interaction device up to your bumper parimiter. A pool noodle 2.5" mounted on 3/4" plywood gives you a ~3.25" bumper parimiter past your frame parimiter. Let's not confuse teams with inacurate rules.

[GaryVoshol]

Here's the latest video guys!
youtube.com/user/cometsroboticsWhere are your safety glasses? ::ouch:: ::safety::

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs125.snc3/17237_1280196039692_1073787706_30874240_6345538_n. jpgYou are going to remove those outlier parts of the frame, right?

[aclapper21]

We have been working with the pneumatic system but for some reason we can't see to get enough power/pressure from the pneumatics system. We are using the max of 60 psi. Is there any advice on how to improve the pneumatics.

[Jeffy]

We have been working with the pneumatic system but for some reason we can't see to get enough power/pressure from the pneumatics system. We are using the max of 60 psi. Is there any advice on how to improve the pneumatics.

I am very novice with pneumatics but I have read alot because I wanted to use them this year.
Try-
1. using some surgical tubing as a spring
2. moving the pivot points of the cylinder
3. this is a little complex, but some teams have a restraining pin. They fire there pneumatics, but they can't move anywhere until the pin is pulled. Pull the pin and it goes. This helps because the 1/8" tubing can be very restrictive to air flow.

[Homsar66]

Yeah, there's no real way to increase the flow legally. The best way is to preload the cylinder so it doesn't have to vent 60 psi from the other side. Although I've been trying to find a piston with two ports for each stroke, so you could use two solenoids and double the flow.

PS- Your team has my favorite number of all time, I'm into vintage paintball markers and that number just so happens to be the name of the only true paintball revolver ever to make it into production.

[Enigma's puzzle]

Hey a team in our own backyard, Forest Hills right? Looks like you guys are doing great, One thing i would suggest, that being a rookie team is getting that kitbot up and running, if that is going to be your drive platform, so that way the programing team and Drive team can get a crack at it and work out the bugs.

If you guys ever need anything Team Enigma 2075 is always ready to help a neighbor, good luck and see you at one of the competitions, i hope.

[Grim Tuesday]

Just a note: You are saying that your ball gets over the bump, but in fact, the only foolproof way to test if it can is to place the robot 15.5 feet away, and then fire your device. It is successful if you can do it from the furthest possible point!

Anyways, it looks like a great device!