Telescoping System

[caincteam2777]

I've been working on developing a telescoping system for my teams robot. I planned on using some t-slot aluminum (80/20?), does anyone have designs they wouldn't mind sharing or idea on how to develop one? I've searched around without much luck.

Also where is a good place to buy some T-slot tubing?

[Matt H.]

Regarding the second part of your question: 80/20 inc. has a supplier look up:
http://www.8020.net/PostalLookup.asp

[Grim Tuesday]

In 2007, SPARX had a great telescoper. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ8XYjwRqps)

We use McmasterCarr for our T-Slot needs.

[artdutra04]

I've been working on developing a telescoping system for my teams robot. I planned on using some t-slot aluminum (80/20?), does anyone have designs they wouldn't mind sharing or idea on how to develop one? I've searched around without much luck.

Also where is a good place to buy some T-slot tubing?Our 2007 robot used a 2-stage (more like 1.5 stage) 80/20 telescoping elevator using the 80/20 linear glide pieces. Here's a link to all our photos from the 2007 season:

http://team228.org/media/pictures/2007

And a few photos of the system:

http://www.team228.org/gallery/60/slideshow/bds-33.jpg (http://www.team228.org/media/pictures/view/2802)
This photo shows the elevator when it was still powered by two Globe motors, but we later switched it out for a 3" CIM.

http://www.team228.org/gallery/60/slideshow/bds-34.jpg (http://www.team228.org/media/pictures/view/2803)

http://www.team228.org/gallery/61/slideshow/weeksix-095.jpg (http://www.team228.org/media/pictures/view/2910)

You can look on the 80/20 website to find distributors near you. The local distributors are usually very helpful and usually give a 10% discount to FIRST teams.

[Grim Tuesday]

Thanks a ton artdutra!

Can you explain how the "cart" rises up the "ladder"?

Is it pulleyed? Or is it propelled by that huge gear?

I also don't really get how the second stage of the arm rises (or is it technically the first stage?)

EDIT: With no height limit this year, what is the advantage of a dual stage arm over just one really tall but well supported single stage one.

[caincteam2777]

artdutra: thats the approach i was going for, it was just how the slider worked and how i would use pulleys to make it slide up and down

the taller you make something the more top heavy it will become. think of it like a cheater bar. the longer you make something the easier it is to say move/turn it. so the taller you make the bot the easier it becomes for it to tip over

[artdutra04]

Thanks a ton artdutra!

Can you explain how the "cart" rises up the "ladder"?

Is it pulleyed? Or is it propelled by that huge gear?

I also don't really get how the second stage of the arm rises (or is it technically the first stage?)

EDIT: With no height limit this year, what is the advantage of a dual stage arm over just one really tall but well supported single stage one.Check out this white paper from Andy Baker (of AndyMark):

http://d1pytrrjwm20z9.cloudfront.net/ManiupulatorDesign.pdf

It explains more about various mechanism types (including elevator) and shows the two styles of elevator (continuous versus cascade). Our 2007 robot used the cascade approach.

[caincteam2777]

I am having trouble finding sliding mechanisms

[DonRotolo]

Look for "Linear Motion" on the 80/20 web site. For example Page 497 of their catalog.

[Jeff Rodriguez]

RAGE's 2005 arm is worth a look:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/20545