pic: Robot cart design
 

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

Are the pans meant to hold the wheels?

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

What do you mean by "fail safe"? I don't think I understand how the design is supposed to work.

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

It looks like you manually lift it and it locks in place. I cannot tell though. Also, would this cart be used for just one year, because if the robot specs change this cart might be useless.

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

If you were to make an entire tray instead of the 2 small railings, you would be able to use it for a robot in any configuration. You lose the ability to work on the middle section easy...but I think its a good tradeoff.

maybe make an "open box" shape so if you have a wide robot or something your cart doesnt become obselete?


yours current:

|| ||
|| ||
|| ||

my suggestion

||===||
||...... ||
||===||

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

Camren
You have a good start. Remember that the robots change from year to year so add some adjustability to your design. Add some mounting holes where the robots sets. This way you can add features that will support the robot on its frame rather than setting it on its wheels. (You will want to run the drive train in the pits) Watch the minimum over lap in the legs. (This could be s safety issue) Have fixed wheels on one end and casters on the other. (A cart with 4 casters is very hard to move through a crowd) Keep up the good work and post often.
:)

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

Camren just don't use casters like we have on our battery box :P You guys have no idea how many times those have broken. Are you still planning on building a new battery box for next year?

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

It's possible to have the rails, but make them adjustable so they can fit multiple robots over the years. 330's done that for years.

I'm a tad bit concerned over the lack of support up high. What I mean by that is, what's keeping the rails from bending, either away from each other or towards each other, or in unison to one side or the other? Also, what's the moment like if someone jostles the robot while it's being moved? (Read: if the robot is at max height, in motion or not, what's it going to take to knock it over, cart and all?)

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

You would really benefit from some gussets at the bottom to help support the large load you are going to have.

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

Make sure that "normal" height of cart plus robot can get through a school door such as they have at IRI. Won't mention the team(s) that have had issues with that! ;)

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

It doesn't look like you'll have an issue with weight or anything of the sort, but also take into consideration how you're moving the cart. Not like the pneumatic AM castors you're making, but transporting the entire cart (with or without robot) to competitions (ie. van, bus, truck, trailer), and how you're getting it into the vehicle.

Also, after long periods of queing times, have any teams ever thought about putting in foldout seats? XD

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

Yes the wheels go into the pans which are only an inch tall

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

5 pieces 2 sides 2 middle bars and the cushioned laying pad for working on the bottom. Transporting was a big constraint while designing

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

Actually, we have our newest cart setup with a main sofa-like seat and soon to come fold-able side seats. Also, it will be motorized and will be couch :D

Re: pic: Robot cart design
 

You really should stay away from supporting a robot by it's wheels while on a cart or in the pits. Controls will probably want to run the transmissions to test the robot, and if it's resting on the wheels that's a bear. In addition, if someone accidentally hits the controls while the robot is on and enabled, it's going to drive off the cart and hurt someone. See if you can plan on supporting the robot by its frame.