balls trapped under robot
 

Any suggestions for how to keep balls from getting trapped under robot? Today's scrimmage revealed that our robot can easily trap balls under our frame (robot designed to go over bump - bumpers 5" off ground and frame about the same height).

The balls compress easily.

We would like to be able to go over the bump, but also have something that can keep the balls from coming into our frame (except when we want to pick them up).

Thanks.

Re: balls trapped under robot
 

Surgical tubing, stretched along the sides under the bumper, ought to help. Leave enough stretch available so that it will bend over the bump.

Re: balls trapped under robot
 

Some people have used pneumatic tubing with #10 screws. We have plates that run on two sides covering most of the wheel and having wedges in the front and back to help us over the barrier. Good luck!

Re: balls trapped under robot
 

Our team noticed that running over balls is very easy to do as well, given the maximum bumper heights we have in going over the bump.
However, it doesnt get stuck under us at all and our 3rd year driver was able to pick up balls from the field fairly quickly after several hours at it.

Re: balls trapped under robot
 

A plate covering the underside of the robot lets you roll right over them. I don't know of a good way to keep them from going under a bot with bumpers that are high enough to get over the barrier.

Re: balls trapped under robot
 

That's not a bug, it's a feature (for our bot, anyway). ;)