Ramp Approach
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5tt6...ature=youtu.be

Here is a test to see if we can use this approach

Re: Ramp Approach
 

Wow, that's the perfect use for extruded fiberglass. I hope we still have some!

Thanks for sharing.

Re: Ramp Approach
 

Is your bridge balanced to the official spec?

Re: Ramp Approach
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a_-3...ature=youtu.be

Make sure you have a strong ram......

Re: Ramp Approach
 

it take 9.5 lbs to push it down

Re: Ramp Approach
 

Interesting approach. Just remember the bridge is 12 in. high and that your appendage may only extend 14 in. from the frame perimeter. Also, you will have a bumper out in front somewhere to hang up on the bridge as it comes down.

Dr. Bob

Chairman's Award is not about building the robot. Every team builds a robot.

Re: Ramp Approach
 

Thanks for the post Fredi, that's interesting.

Re: Ramp Approach
 

We are very aware of this. This is just a practice bot we made off-season for our freshmen. Our chassis is in the final stages of the design and has been designed to go over the ramp with relative ease(We included the bumper:) ). Our appendage has also been cadded and is in the correct legal dimensions. The one on the practice bot here doesn't have the correct appendage dimensions as well and so it had trouble pulling the ramp down and was forced to "hop" onto it at a fast speed.

Re: Ramp Approach
 

Now the real question; could the same appendage be used to get over the barrier easily?

Re: Ramp Approach
 

As of right now we currently have no plans on getting over the barrier. We believe the zone type gameplay to be similar to Breakaway and believe the ramp(very wide tunnel) is more than enough for traversing between zones. Especially with having two accessible ramps in which one is protected via game rules. If we can run right through the ramp like we planned, we don't see us having much of an issue traversing zones. The fact that most teams are designing to go over the barrier anyways only strengthens this decision. We don't foresee much traffic on the ramps due to this. Of course we'll find out week 1 if this was a good choice or not.

Re: Ramp Approach
 

This is exactly what I was thinking. Our bridge never snaps into place like that. Perhaps it's just a difference in weight/COG.

Re: Ramp Approach
 

We are trying to simulate a proper bridge since we don't currently have all the materials to build a real one. Counterweights were placed on one end so that the side the robot drives up behaves like the ramp in this video (we did the test that was demonstrated with the batteries):

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

It looks like it snaps into place because we have supports under the other side to keep it level when nothing is on the bridge.

Re: Ramp Approach
 

The concept has evolved quite a bit since the original idea was tested.... Here is what we'll be fielding at AZ and St. Louis:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMA7h48nQsY

:D

Re: Ramp Approach
 

BEST VIDEO NAME EVER! :D

Also, great design! It's improved greatly since its inception.

Re: Ramp Approach
 

What is it with Falcon Robotics and crazy awesome linkages anyways? Do you guys guys have a bounty for the highest ratio of joints/axes in motion to basic actuators or something? Seriously awesome design for the compactness and self-locking, though.