Minibot Time Showcase [Archive]

jcoinster

22-01-2011, 22:07

Out of curiosity, as well as friendly competition, I would love to hear from other teams what they have gotten for their minibot.

Currently, we range from 2.9 - 3.1 seconds.

To see an image of the bot as well as a more detailed explanation:
http://jcoinster.blogspot.com/2011/01/frc-minibot-2011.html

klmx30302

22-01-2011, 22:42

jcoinster

22-01-2011, 22:48

I had had the idea of starting a thread about this but you beat me to it! Anyway here is a video of our prototype in action, we tried one like yours but it failed too many times...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IKLSgfXqcM

It probably kept failing because of the center of gravity issues, we actually gave up on it too but then realized the next day that it could be fixed. Good Luck!

klmx30302

22-01-2011, 22:53

It probably kept failing because of the center of gravity issues, we actually gave up on it too but then realized the next day that it could be fixed. Good Luck!

Thats what i keep trying to tell the rest of our minibot subeam, they dont believe me.

jcoinster

22-01-2011, 22:55

Thats what i keep trying to tell the rest of our minibot subeam, they dont believe me.

I can relate.
When you had the similar design, was there a guide bar along the side? Without that bar, it wouldn't work. At one point, we mounted a dummy gear as a counterweight :)

klmx30302

22-01-2011, 23:09

We tried guide bars in 3-4 different spots but the bot went off in one direction or another, we got more tetrix hardware in though and a may give the other, more simple (deployment wise) bot another try again tomorrow.

Joe Schornak

22-01-2011, 23:12

Heh. One of our prototypes is of this design. We just got our batteries yesterday, and have yet to complete the wiring, but it's good to know that we're on a good track in terms of ascension time.
The center of gravity issues took some tuning, but we got it so that the minibot can hang on the pole without support or power.
Have you considered a deployment system?

jcoinster

22-01-2011, 23:20

The smallest and sometimes accidental mistakes can lead to a big improvement!

Did you use a weight to substitute the battery?

Joe Schornak

22-01-2011, 23:44

Did you use a weight to substitute the battery?

My team tried to do FTC in 2008, so we have a battery. Problem is, the battery doesn't charge. Thus the need to order new ones.

So yes, we did technically use a weight to substitute a battery.

jcoinster

22-01-2011, 23:46

My team tried to do FTC in 2008, so we have a battery. Problem is, the battery doesn't charge. Thus the need to order new ones.

So yes, we did technically use a weight to substitute a battery.

Did you check the fuse? We honestly were stumped at how our new battery wouldnt work for a good hour. :o

Tom Bottiglieri

23-01-2011, 00:17

Does this include deployment time? It seems like that will be just as important as how fast it climbs.

jcoinster

23-01-2011, 00:23

Does this include deployment time? It seems like that will be just as important as how fast it climbs.

I think it's safe to say that this number is without deployment. It would need a rocket to go up that fast including deployment :D

Nick Bouressa

23-01-2011, 21:37

Have you considered a deployment system?
We have! I was working on a simple pneumatic deplorer today. I don't have any pictures however...

klmx30302

23-01-2011, 21:40

We have! I was working on a simple pneumatic deplorer today. I don't have any pictures however...

I'll get a video of it tomorrow and post it.

jcoinster

23-01-2011, 22:01

I'll get a video of it tomorrow and post it.

Can't wait to see it!

geyer

23-01-2011, 23:58

Did you check the fuse? We honestly were stumped at how our new battery wouldnt work for a good hour. :o

The same thing happened to us. Eventually Figured it out though..

cmass

24-01-2011, 09:19

Deploy <1 second, climb<2.5 seconds, maybe even 2 seconds.

That is the target.

Right now we have the concepts on the deploy and the practice on the climb. Still working on the return to ground without touching the deployment device.

Starting to get fun!

klmx30302

24-01-2011, 10:53

our deployer= 2 pneumatic pistons and a limit switch, videos will be posted later today.

JB987

24-01-2011, 10:57

jcoinster

24-01-2011, 17:36

Bill_B

24-01-2011, 19:31

We have! I was working on a simple pneumatic deplorer today. I don't have any pictures however...
I'd rather use electrical solenoids too, but I don't really deplore pneumatics. :) (I do love malapropisms though.;) )

Our Minibot, Ferdinand, only climbed about 5 feet on a pole in a vise, right at the end of our meeting, to the tune of "WRAP IT UP ! WE Gotta GET OUTTA HERE!!" (haven't heard that one yet? quite a beat, but you can't dance to it.)

klmx30302

24-01-2011, 20:09

our deployer= 2 pneumatic pistons and a limit switch, videos will be posted later today.

Well.... apparently my team has decided to not let me post the minibot deployment test videos to youtube, sorry.

Bochek

24-01-2011, 23:29

Team 2200 has the climb down to 2.36 seconds (average for 3 runs), we got time time by recording video, and using a millisecond counter built into quicktime. I will post a video in the next few days.

- Bochek

edit: Just so everyone understands, we have calculated that in theory, a minibot weighing 4.5lbs can climb the pole in 2.25 seconds. under near perfect conditions using 2 of the tetrix motors. I am slighly amazed that we achieved such good results.

Nick Bouressa

25-01-2011, 12:54

Well.... apparently my team has decided to not let me post the minibot deployment test videos to youtube, sorry.

Sure you can!

klmx30302

25-01-2011, 13:02

Sure you can!

ok then.... let the uploading commence!!!!

jcoinster

25-01-2011, 13:08

I have posted a video on my site of early deployment

klmx30302

25-01-2011, 13:16

I have posted a video on my site of early deployment

do you have a link? I cant find the video on your team website or youtube channel.

Ok I've started to upload the videos but that will take forever and a half (3-4 Hours) because its about 3gb worth of videos.

Bjenks548

25-01-2011, 15:05

Anyone know some of the team numbers that drove up the pole with 2 wheels last year? I know there were at least some in Atlanta, but I can't remember the numbers

thefro526

25-01-2011, 15:07

Anyone know some of the team numbers that drove up the pole with 2 wheels last year? I know there were at least some in Atlanta, but I can't remember the numbers

2056 and 78 are the two that come to mind.

klmx30302

25-01-2011, 15:17

2056 and 78 are the two that come to mind.

Beat me to it... anyway i cant think of anymore and of course TBA is still down so i cant look for anymore.

klmx30302

25-01-2011, 15:38

So the videos are about 2/3 done uploading and I don't want to post individual links because of the number of videos (~20 ish) so heres a link to my youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/klmx30302

Henry Williams

25-01-2011, 15:46

klmx30302

25-01-2011, 16:16

All the videos are uploaded now.

jcoinster

25-01-2011, 17:33

do you have a link? I cant find the video on your team website or youtube channel.

Ok I've started to upload the videos but that will take forever and a half (3-4 Hours) because its about 3gb worth of videos.

The link on the first page of this thread

jcoinster

25-01-2011, 17:36

To OP, sorry about this question since it could be answered by viewing your photo but my school internet access blocks the website. Is your minibot complete with the mechanisms necessary for attachment and stopping/starting autonomously or do you still have some things to add. I ask because we are in the middle time slot but we were faster, until we added polycarb wedges and surgical tubing to grip the pole.

I am honored that my site has been blocked.
Did you add a httpS?

Anyway, we are using a NXT controller but it's bricked, of course, so until it is fixed, we are manually testing

JB987

26-01-2011, 00:04

Add 359 to the group of 2 wheel climbers last year.

jcoinster

27-01-2011, 23:56

There is currently no clear majority for the minibot times, I'm really surprised to see the poll even out between each group.

theshortkid229

27-02-2011, 22:34

Including deploy time,
639 is clocking 3.7 (rounded up from an average of 3.6) consistently.

here is a vid, it has some other stuff too. Like, you know, the rest of the robot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo2RGj2aH4M

Around :56 is the mini-bot run.

jcoinster

27-02-2011, 22:45

That is fast as hell! Nice work on the deployment!

rcmolloy

27-02-2011, 22:47

Our two will be shown at Jersey. Yes, I said two.

jcoinster

27-02-2011, 22:48

Our two will be shown at Jersey. Yes, I said two.

We have two as well Mr. Showoff.

Grim Tuesday

27-02-2011, 22:53

Oh yeah? Well we have 4 but only two work :(

jcoinster

27-02-2011, 22:54

Oh yeah? Well we have 4 but only two work :(

Haha, that's what everyone should do though, make a ton of ideas and narrow them down!

dodar

27-02-2011, 22:57

We have 2 that will be shown at Florida.

rcmolloy

27-02-2011, 22:58

Haha well who knows?? After qualifications, people may beg to use one.

jcoinster

27-02-2011, 22:59

We have 2 that will be shown at Florida.

To all people posting, post some pics & vids! Since I spent the whole build season on the minibot, i'm curious to see other teams!

pfreivald

28-02-2011, 00:00

Here's our not-quite-refined 'bot at about 3.0 seconds at the RaChaCha Rally:

http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f327/X-Cats/2011%20Season/Rochester%20Rally/?action=view&current=CIMG0653.mp4

We did some more work on it this past Saturday and got it to under 2 seconds (plus about .2 seconds for deployment).

Mpengelly

28-02-2011, 01:19

Our prototype is 1.3 second climb so far with maybe .5-1 second deploy. Still in the works, hoping to get it 1 sec or under

davidthefat

28-02-2011, 01:34

Vids or it didn't happen.

Mpengelly

28-02-2011, 01:46

I would but the current vids show more than we care to reveal. If we can gets tests shot from a distance then we might post them

Edit: Our programmer will post a video sometime tonight

jcoinster

28-02-2011, 07:21

Vids or it didn't happen.

I agree, anyone could fladoodle their times. You can always blur the minibot... If you're that worried.

thefro526

28-02-2011, 09:31

Our Prototype was averaging 1.6 seconds with a fastest time of 1.4 seconds.

The current revision looks like it's coming in right around 1.4 seconds on average.

jcoinster

28-02-2011, 21:00

Our Prototype was averaging 1.6 seconds with a fastest time of 1.4 seconds.

The current revision looks like it's coming in right around 1.4 seconds on average.

With or without deployment?

thefro526

28-02-2011, 21:15

With or without deployment?

Without deployment.

With deployment, average ascent time should be about 1.6 or 1.7 seconds.

jcoinster

28-02-2011, 21:16

Without deployment.

With deployment, average ascent time should be about 1.6 or 1.7 seconds.

Pictures? Videos? That sounds awesome

jacob9706

01-03-2011, 00:26

jcoinster

01-03-2011, 06:36

Our prototype bot is pretty fast compared to what ive seen and we are shaving 3lbs off if it as of tomorrow. New watter jet cuts. Just needing assembly! Our deployment is less than a second and consistant. Ill post new vids soon but demos are up of our first prototype is on www.youtube.com/user/jacob9706 all videos there are with half speed and battery including the deployment.

Very nice deployment, I don't think the minibot can be blamed for its slowness based on it's battery though. We never charged our battery once the whole season until the competition and the speed remained constant.

pfreivald

01-03-2011, 07:31

Very nice deployment, I don't think the minibot can be blamed for its slowness based on it's battery though. We never charged our battery once the whole season until the competition and the speed remained constant.

We cut almost a second off of our time by making sure the battery was tip-top. YMMV.

JohnFogarty

01-03-2011, 09:48

I can see about a .5 deployment speed on ours. and then about a 2.25 second climb. The best part. The mini-bot pulls itself onto the poll.

thefro526

01-03-2011, 09:51

Pictures? Videos? That sounds awesome

I'll post up a video after week one, we're not exactly ready to give our secrets away yet.

(Our Deployment system is also being re-manufactured)

jcoinster

01-03-2011, 13:29

I'll post up a video after week one, we're not exactly ready to give our secrets away yet.

(Our Deployment system is also being re-manufactured)

You can always blur the minibot. Heh.... We didn't on our video..

libinator

01-03-2011, 22:03

Heres are minibot, along with are robot. This video was made for a freshman orientation to promote our team, hence all the additives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgYIhOiyi4Q

jcmilfred

01-03-2011, 23:30

Our prototype is 1.3 second climb so far with maybe .5-1 second deploy. Still in the works, hoping to get it 1 sec or under

Vids or it didn't happen.

I would but the current vids show more than we care to reveal. If we can gets tests shot from a distance then we might post them

Edit: Our programmer will post a video sometime tonight

Here you are, a 1.3 second minibot from Team 2733:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuRCJ9cxy-o

Mpengelly

01-03-2011, 23:43

Vids or it didn't happen.

Here's the videos I promised a little while back, timed using frame by frame in 3 separate programs

Edit: wow my bad, here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuRCJ9cxy-o

JB987

01-03-2011, 23:47

[QUOTE=Mpengelly;1033472]Here's the videos I promised a little while back, timed using frame by frame in 3 separate programs[/QUOTE

Something is missing...do I need special glasses to see this otherwise invisible video?

JB987

02-03-2011, 00:32

Thanks for fixing the link...fair to say that you will have to add a little weight in the form of a 3 way switch or such to keep from flying off at the end of it's run?

Mpengelly

02-03-2011, 00:43

Thanks for fixing the link...fair to say that you will have to add a little weight in the form of a 3 way switch or such to keep from flying off at the end of it's run?

Yes and no, we obviously do need that switch in there, as we almost had a few nasty falls, but we simulated the weight of the switches on the minibot during testing

jcoinster

02-03-2011, 07:21

Here's the videos I promised a little while back, timed using frame by frame in 3 separate programs

Edit: wow my bad, here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuRCJ9cxy-o

Why blur the video when build season ended....

Alpha Beta

02-03-2011, 07:31

Why blur the video when build season ended....

Even though build season has ended, minibots are still with their respective teams. If the improved design doesn't change your deployment characteristics you could rebuild it in a couple of days.

I imagine that some teams competing close to home with above average machining resources could see a new design Thursday in the pits and have it up and running on their robot in time for Saturday.

Joe Ross

02-03-2011, 09:54

I imagine that some teams competing close to home with above average machining resources could see a new design Thursday in the pits and have it up and running on their robot in time for Saturday.

That would violate <R25>.

Alpha Beta

02-03-2011, 10:10

That would violate <R25>.

<R25> has an exception clause which refers to <R33>

Exception: A limited amount of FABRICATED ITEMS (not to exceed the limits specified in Rule <R33>) may be reatained as part of the WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCE and brought back to the team's home facility for continued development.

<R33> Exempts the minibot from the WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCE allowing you to work on it even if you've already used your 30 pounds.

If we can work on the minibot at home after the ship date, I don't see how Thursday night of a tournament would be any different.

boomergeek

02-03-2011, 11:31

Can teams close to home use their fabrication capability outside of the competition site during Thursday through Saturday? I would not think so.
Withholding applies to everyone and I thought it meant material can be brought in Thursday. No fabricated material can be brought in or out between Thursday and Saturday. COTs and raw materials can be brought in any time during competition and worked on during open pit times.

Fabrication outside the competition site and during the Thursday through Saturday time frame, either "in the hotel" or at the home base facility does not seem consistent with the intent of the rules.

I could be misinterpreting.

The "home" teams only advantage should be knowing where to get COTs locally.

Chris is me

02-03-2011, 11:39

If we can work on the minibot at home after the ship date, I don't see how Thursday night of a tournament would be any different.

I don't believe the Withholding Allowance applies between individual competition days. That would be a rather large loophole.

Joe Ross

02-03-2011, 11:50

<R25> has an exception clause which refers to <R33>

Exception: A limited amount of FABRICATED ITEMS (not to exceed the limits specified in Rule <R33>) may be reatained as part of the WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCE and brought back to the team's home facility for continued development.

<R33> Exempts the minibot from the WITHHOLDING ALLOWANCE allowing you to work on it even if you've already used your 30 pounds.

If we can work on the minibot at home after the ship date, I don't see how Thursday night of a tournament would be any different.

When I read the exception, I assumed it only applied to the last part (shipping the robot after the event). However, I can see how since it's separated, it could be applied to the entire rule. If you are concerned about that, it would make a good Q/A question.

rees2001

02-03-2011, 12:05

I can't wait to see how many minibots actually come in at the times people said they would!

pfreivald

02-03-2011, 12:14

I can't wait to see how many minibots actually come in at the times people said they would!

Indeed... Some people have been quite... exhuberantly misleading when it comes to minibot times...

(I won't mention any names, but one of these people has the initials "Jason Rees"...) :p

Dad1279

02-03-2011, 13:11

.....Some people have been quite... exuberantly misleading when it comes to minibot times........

I did not think those times were possible until we hit a breakthrough last night. Now I am sure 1.6-1.7 is possible to do reliably. :)

Justin Montois

02-03-2011, 13:33

Indeed... Some people have been quite... exhuberantly misleading when it comes to minibot times...

(I won't mention any names, but one of these people has the initials "Jason Rees"...) :p

Whoops.

patrickr41

02-03-2011, 13:40

team 3467
first minibot goes up in 2.6 seconds
http://www.youtube.com/user/frc3467?feature=mhum
we also are making anther one that we estimate for it to go up in 2.2 seconds
god way to start our first rookie year

Mr. B

02-03-2011, 14:01

pfreivald

02-03-2011, 14:05

I did not think those times were possible until we hit a breakthrough last night. Now I am sure 1.6-1.7 is possible to do reliably. :)

Oh, I'm sure of it, too. We have about 1.8 seconds reliably. I was just picking on Mr. Rees. :D

IKE

02-03-2011, 14:09

We are arround 6.5 sec complete-- You can view here
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-2648/146072532332?ref=nf
Unit is about 7 LBS and has quite a bit of friction but after 4 weeks of protos that didn't work, we are happy

Nice job. I have talked to a whole bunch of "3 second" teams that still can't deploy there mini and hope to figure it out later...

At a minimum it is worth 10-15 points. If it works every time, I would wager this will get you picked up for eliminations and thus well worth the effort.

jcoinster

02-03-2011, 16:33

Nice job. I have talked to a whole bunch of "3 second" teams that still can't deploy there mini and hope to figure it out later...

At a minimum it is worth 10-15 points. If it works every time, I would wager this will get you picked up for eliminations and thus well worth the effort.

That is so true! We had a fast bot but it took quite some effort to get it onto the pole!

boomergeek

02-03-2011, 21:20

Team 241 had a breakthrough on minibot design # 5.

Design #1 - tank= The All Tetrix Aluminum, nuts and bolts - direct drive 4" wheels on Tetrix gearbox and motors. Mousetrap action to connect to pole.

Weight 4.4# Time 4.5-5 sec
Reliability - 10/10 trials
Deployment 0.5 seconds - self-aligning to pole prior to End Game.

Design #2 - add 2:1 external gearing to design #1 - mostly built but not tested. Stopped work when Richard published his dynamometer results of Tetrix motors with and without gearboxes.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89072

Design #3 - direct drive motors w/o gearboxes with motors with 3/16" shaft covered in thin surgical tubing running on the inside rim of the 4" wheels.
Weight 4.5# Time - fail - the motors would slip on the inside of the rims.

Design #4 - "the crossbow" - direct drive motors w/o gearboxes with motors with 3/16" shaft covered in thin surgical tubing running on the inside rim of the 4" wheels. Inside rim covered with rubber band material to provide extra grip.

Weight 3.3# Time 7 seconds - too much friction on rubberband to surgical tubing contact. Very disappointing.

Design #5 - midget - direct drive to 3/8" wheels, Mousetrap action to connect to pole. Uses bare motors, battery, nylon standoffs, OFF switch and 3 or 4 nuts and bolts from the Tetrix kit.
Weight 2.1# !!! Time ~2 seconds
(still need to adjust deployment to allow either the midget or the tank and mount the turnoff switch) may add another 0.1 lbs.
Reliability - not known yet

No magnets.

avanboekel

02-03-2011, 21:23

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92246&highlight=minibot+time+poll

Repeat thread...

jcoinster

03-03-2011, 15:55

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92246&highlight=minibot+time+poll

Repeat thread...

In case you can't read a date, this was first, by far

Guppy

03-03-2011, 21:42

Well, This is the culmination of six hours of work. Our team didn't take the minibot seriously, so when the minibot team failed to produce in 6 weeks, I took it upon myself to fix it. When calculated, from the base of our deployment to the top, it will take a little over 4 seconds. Sorry about the video, I almost broke the robot. :ahh: It uses direct drive to two 3" wheels. The wiring has been planned for deployment, but has not been fixed yet.

vamfun

05-03-2011, 00:30

Team 241 had a breakthrough on minibot design # 5.

Design #5 - midget - direct drive to 3/8" wheels, Mousetrap action to connect to pole. Uses bare motors, battery, nylon standoffs, OFF switch and 3 or 4 nuts and bolts from the Tetrix kit.
Weight 2.1# !!! Time ~2 seconds
(still need to adjust deployment to allow either the midget or the tank and mount the turnoff switch) may add another 0.1 lbs.
Reliability - not known yet

No magnets.

Pretty great weight. We have a similar super minibot that uses magnets and we are sitting at about 2.5 lbs.
How are you protecting the motors from smoking in case of a misfire? And how many motors have you gone thru?
We have inadvertently smoked 3 motors early on and since have been more careful.

jcoinster

05-03-2011, 12:08

Pretty great weight. We have a similar super minibot that uses magnets and we are sitting at about 2.5 lbs.
How are you protecting the motors from smoking in case of a misfire? And how many motors have you gone thru?
We have inadvertently smoked 3 motors early on and since have been more careful.

We have ruined the same amount :D