1918 NC Gears present "Tommy"

[Wayne TenBrink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIweSfm87_0&feature=player_embedded

Built to get to the ball and move it down field quickly.
- Wide chassis
- Wide ball magnet
- Wide kicker
- 4 + 4 wheel drive
- Self-righting roll cage (haven't needed it yet)
- Autonomous scoring
- Ball return deflector top
- Lift winch

See you at Traverse City, West Michigan, and (hopefully) at the MI State Championship!

[lenny8]

nice bot. but i gotta ask from a strategy stand point aren't you worried about having two balls or more in you ball magnet?

[Jamie Kalb]

nice bot. but i gotta ask from a strategy stand point aren't you worried about having two balls or more in you ball magnet?

If I'm understanding it correctly, the pool noodle acts as a torque limiter. When it contacts a ball, it grabs it and squeezes it under itself. At that point, the torque overcomes the the friction holding the pool noodle on the shaft and it slips. Since it's no longer spinning, they can't accidentally capture another ball.

Do I have that right?

[kulisb]

Great looking machine! You guys had one of my favorite robots last year in Atlanta, and it looks like you will be very competitive yet again. Well done!

Brad

[Wayne TenBrink]

If I'm understanding it correctly, the pool noodle acts as a torque limiter. When it contacts a ball, it grabs it and squeezes it under itself. At that point, the torque overcomes the the friction holding the pool noodle on the shaft and it slips. Since it's no longer spinning, they can't accidentally capture another ball.

Do I have that right?

What you say is correct, but that wasn't our intent. I'm not sure how the ref's will define the difference between posessing the ball and herding it up against a non-rotating foam tube. If we are possessing one ball and come across another, we will either take evasive action, reverse the direction of the roller, or kick the ball we have. We are aware of this issue, but don't think it will be a major factor. There aren't that many balls in play this year - not like Lunacy. We think that getting control of the ball quickly is a going to be a big part of Breakaway. Narrow collectors are tough to line up on a ball when somebody is all in your face. Also, once we get a ball we don't plan to hold it for long - just aim, kick, and move on.

[s_forbes]

Very nicely done, I can see this robot easily dominating a lot of matches. Game piece acquisition and control is always underestimated by a lot of teams, but you completely nailed it.

You've got my favorite so far.

[Isaac501]

Wide orientation on the bump. Ballsy. Nice bot!