Intake systems
 

Hello CD community!
We've all seen threads about shooters, drive systems, bridge manipulators etc., but we haven't seen a post-season thread about intake systems.

So I ask you, what is the fastest\most efficient\simplest\most interesting\all of the above intake system you saw this season?

By the way, I must admit starting this thread isn't solely to please my curiosity and create a discussion, but also because we... umm... well, kinda need to build a new intake system soon and looking for inspiration :rolleyes:

Re: Intake systems
 

My personal fave is from back in 2002.

Re: Intake systems
 

I will say the best I saw was the over-the-bumper, full robot-width, using poly cord and rollers to funnel into a hopper style. It was simple, fast and efficient. There's another thread on best-of for Rebound Rumble here.

Re: Intake systems
 

My personal opinions:
Fastest: 469
Most Efficient: 2056/2826
Simplest: 987
Most Interesting: 67

I recognize that there are other outstanding robots that used similar systems to the ones I've mentioned, these are just meant to be examples that I'm familiar with.

Re: Intake systems
 

Could you show some examples of these robots, like I have only caught glimpses of 2056, 469 and 2826

Re: Intake systems
 

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=FRC+469+videos

;)

This one is especially good for viewing the intake: http://vimeo.com/39918306

Re: Intake systems
 

Here is one of us 2826 at Championships

Here is another

Re: Intake systems
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8f3hqibAho

987's intake system (starting around 1:20)...

Re: Intake systems
 

http://2056.ca/robot/general-lee

There's one of 2056, with an intake similar to 2826 (which is why I grouped them together. Also, 67's arm can be seen in the video Ike posted featuring 469.

Re: Intake systems
 

I just love that intake.

-Clinton-

Re: Intake systems
 

There were a few different teams that had drop down intakes. 177 and 973 had identical intakes. This is a video of 177 at CT Regional, even though we didn't shoot much (due to sticky new balls for elims) it gives you a good view of the intake rollers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9IZn...feature=relmfu

One problem with our roller system was that The first stage (lower tower and intake) could not handle 2+ balls at once, it would jam the roller system. But it was useful for getting balls from under the bridge and in corners.

I will upload a video tonight and link it here of our roller system up close.

I also believe that 33 had a roller system close to this, but it was concealed under their utility arm.

Re: Intake systems
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJREahxuy4Q&feature=plcp

Great video that shows their intake.

-Clinton-

Re: Intake systems
 

While I think that this is the general tone I don’t think anyone has actually come out and said it:

Golden Rules of Collecting:
1. The faster the better. (Overkill after you get past 2x robot top speed.)
2. The wider/more tolerance the better. (Less driver precision = faster ball collecting)

By the way, those rules apply to every game – even when you can only pick up one piece at a time. Always keep in mind you have to pick it up before you can score it.

Regards, Bryan

Re: Intake systems
 

I definitely think the coolest was 67's. I was a amazed at how awesome it was.

However, I think one of the most functional ones might be 341's. They could grab balls from the co-op bridge like no other team I saw could. This allowed them to put up huge auton scores. They were intimidating because of this- I can remember standing at the driver's station in Boston looking at 341 and 233's beautiful robots, and then looking to my blue alliance side- 2 fenderbots and a defensebot. It was scary to think by the end of the first 15 seconds we'd be long gone.

Re: Intake systems
 

In addition to all of the really good intakes that have been mentioned, I think there is something to be said for Team 95's collector in 2002. Its throughput is quite impressive.