pic: FRC973 offseason teaser

[AdamHeard]

[cdm-description=photo]37002[/cdm-description]

[Billfred]

Well, the above looks (operative word: looks) like a standard cylinder used on an AM Shifter (and many other designs for its widespread availability).

I can only imagine this will have something to do with a minibot launcher or some other one-shot device--I can't see the reduced stroke being used to shift a drive gearbox unless they redid the entire thing to accommodate that (and I think that if anyone can play the if-it-ain't-broke card (http://chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/36938)...)

[Chris is me]

I can see it being used to reduce the amount of air a shifting transmission uses. The project could easily be a gearbox that makes it work.

[Hawiian Cadder]

I can see it being used to reduce the amount of air a shifting transmission uses. The project could easily be a gearbox that makes it work.


the smaller bore would mean less force, and for the weight and complexity of solenoids and all the tubing, they might as well use a servo, or a pair of servos.

my bet is on mini-bot deployment.

[Chris is me]

the smaller bore would mean less force, and for the weight and complexity of solenoids and all the tubing, they might as well use a servo, or a pair of servos.

The only reason I think this could be a shifting piston is because many teams don't shift at 60 PSI now just fine. So this smaller system at 60 could equal other systems at 40.

[Ankit S.]

Something using the smaller of these two cylinders will be competing at 2-3 offseason events this fall!

Are you coming to CalGames?

[JB987]

Many teams use short stroke cylinders for shifting their transmissions. 987 uses a half inch stroke for our ball shifter...

[EagleEngineer]

I think the small cylinder is going to be used for shifting the custom 2 speed gearbox on your six wheel drive train.

[Andrew Schreiber]

I think the small cylinder is going to be used for shifting the custom 2 speed gearbox on your six wheel drive train.

I think whatever this project is that it has a few less wheels.

[O'Sancheski]

my bet is on mini-bot deployment.

They already have a ramp so I don't know what else they could do/

[rcmolloy]

Let's just say California will be rocked in the off-season with what 973 has in store for it. :p

[AdamHeard]

Both of these cylinders are .5" stroke, and both are readily available. 3/4" Bore is somewhat "standard" in FRC from the years it was one of the few allowed sizes, but industry doesn't respect these limitations. Both can be bought directly from bimba or mcmaster for the same price more or less, and ship fast.

The lower one is a 5/16" Bore, and has substantially less shifting force.

We've also been running 9/16" bore shifters the last two seasons with great success.

Won't say what they're for just yet, but some good comments in the thread so far!

[Taylor]

I think whatever this project is that it has a few less wheels.
Given the following, I'd say the opposite.

Let's just say California will be rocked in the off-season with what 973 has in store for it. :p

I think it's a drivebase overhaul - these puppies will be used to raise/lower wheels.

[Jeffy]

These may also offer an appropriate amount of clamping force for a "gas shock" style roller claw. (ie. 1902 in '08)

[AdamHeard]

Keep in mind that a 5/16" bore is only pushing with 4.5 lbs.

[Hawiian Cadder]

perhaps some sort of locking device for your arm. something with one or two of these that locks the arm in place when it isn't being driven, it could reduce the amount of bounce and slop in the arm and make it smoother, and thus easier to place tubes.

[Andrew Lawrence]

It could be used in a similar way of 254's to let go of the tubes without the use of a roller claw.

Whatever it is, I can't wait to see it at CALgames!

[AdamHeard]

The guesses about drive shifter are correct. However, there is something odd going on, as this is not strong enough to shift our usual gearboxes (9/16" doesn't sound much bigger, but it has a lot more force).

It could be used in a similar way of 254's to let go of the tubes without the use of a roller claw.

Whatever it is, I can't wait to see it at CALgames!

We've already got a clamping grabber ;)

We likely won't be there, the cost is much higher than other CA events, and they won't allow us to enter multiple robots.

[PAR_WIG1350]

The guesses about drive shifter are correct. However, there is something odd going on, as this is not strong enough to shift our usual gearboxes (9/16" doesn't sound much bigger, but it has a lot more force).


Ball-lock shifter?

[R.C.]

Ball-lock shifter?

Ball Lock would require a tad bit more force than what that guy can provide.

-RC

[Frenchie461]

Shifting sprockets? like on a bike.

[Lil' Lavery]

Go go gadget power take-off device.

[camtunkpa]

4.5 pounds of force should be plenty to shift a ball lock shifter

[Doug G]

We are in the middle of our ball shifter transmission design so that's what I was thinking they may be doing as well. I'm really curious how folks are reducing friction within the ball shifters - Ooopps, off topic.... (off to contact 987..)

[AdamHeard]

Thanks for all the cool replies guys, we'll try to post another teaser tomorrow, and one more each week until we finish.

Go go gadget power take-off device.

Already said it was for shifting ;) A plain 'ol dog shifter at that as well.

[Hawiian Cadder]

Thanks for all the cool replies guys, we'll try to post another teaser tomorrow, and one more each week until we finish.



Already said it was for shifting ;) A plain 'ol dog shifter at that as well.

shifting mini-bot.

[Andrew Schreiber]

shifting mini-bot.

Let's do a little exercise in rule reading. Name all the rules this would violate.

[Hawiian Cadder]

Let's do a little exercise in rule reading.
Name all the rules this would violate.


as far as I can tell, just rule 92. It was a joke btw.

[Lil' Lavery]

Already said it was for shifting ;) A plain 'ol dog shifter at that as well.

Dog shifters and PTO aren't mutually exclusive. ;)

[Akash Rastogi]

Reported