Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Our team is in the process of designing a new robot cart for 2013. I was hoping to gain some inspiration in design from other teams who have built their own carts. There isn't a huge amount of examples in CD media right now, or a lot of them are old.

Post up lots of pictures!

-Akash Rastogi

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

We used a 94822 Hydraulic Lift Cart from Harbor Freight tools to raise our robot for service when bumpers are off. The wheels hang off the sides allowing us to test programming without it going anywhere. When bumpers are on, we kept the robot on the floor, and roll it wherever it needs to go. The hydraulic lift cart is nice to use for loading heavy things in and out of pickup trucks too. The cart itself is a bit heavy though.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

We literally just purchased the same cart! We originally considered designing our own like the OP but decided against it for times' sake this year. We'll see how this one serves us.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Have you modified it in any way to be able to add some sort of toolbox?

We've considered these before and have also considered integrating a leadscrew driven lift into our own design.

I've personally always liked 254's cart design.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11582...91903716126178

It is simple yet has space below for a toolbox and has an integrated battery holder similar to their robot's battery holder.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

We used the same cart, all of the 2012 season. (Ours is yellow) We modified it by expanding the platform on the top to hold our robot so that its securely on, but the wheels hang off for testing purposes. It's a great cart, extremely durable, and can hold alot.We bring it to every competition and every event. At events we bring in totes on it, and then our robot. We then raise it up, and put the brakes on, as a table for our drive station.

The down side of it is that its very heavy, but can be lifted by 2 people. Also we have had minor leaking when it's raised for a long period of time.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Have any of you had experience w/ carts that have build in battery charging?

Is it worth pursuing? It's obviously very cool, but I'm questioning the usefulness of it. I think a spot for about 2-4 batteries w/ a charger, and a spot for a toolbox would always be great.

Our team is taking the time between the end of build season and our tournament to build our cart, so we plan to make it a fairly big project.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Please make sure your fairly big project fits through a fairly small (30") door.

:rolleyes:

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

We have this robot cart (picture below). It has pull-out drawers to fit tools and important things in (such as bolts). We have a matching battery cart (image not available :( ). On the door we have hanging chargers (5 to be exact). Then on shelves inside the unit (positioned so that the chargers go into the shelves) we place our batteries, multimeter, drill battery chargers., and other battery related items. The only problem I have with our battery cart is that cables and other things have to be in their exact places or the unit won't shut properly. However, I've had no problem with our robot cart.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Beat me to it...

Okay so Akash, we use the same cart. The only issue we've had was going over the bumps at competitions (the Hydraulics hit the bump). We have changed the wheels to a larger diameter, and now it is SO much easier to move, turn, and move over bumps. What we did was use 2x4's across the cart, located where they would perfectly fit in between a the wheels of a 6 wheels drive. (I can upload picture later). We've had this same cart since at least 2007. (well if I remember correctly).

I would Highly recommend this cart.

Something I like is that your robot will still fit through a door (I believe even when it is a 5ft robot) when on the cart. With the design of 254's you can not lower your robot to fit through a door, and by the looks of it, it won't if it's 5ft. Something also nice with the hydraulics at competition's is when working on the robot's chassis or lower part's you can raise up your cart to your level, instead of having to bend down. then lower it when working at the top. Though the cart is exactly "light weight" it is small and not so bulky that it will get in the way of everyone while in the pits.

Akash get this cart please :)

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Our current design requirements already take standard door sizes into account. This is meant to be a design and build exercise for the kids, so we would most likely not purchase a cart unless it can be modified and whatnot by the kids.

Other design requirements are also large wheels, the ability to work under the bot, tool storage, single or double battery storage (separate from charging cart), and it needs to be decently compact.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Also; There are two fold down doors on the front and the back of the cart; each holding 3 batteries.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Here is our cart. The height of the posts is set so the robot fits through doors. The locations of the posts are easily configurable to accommodate slight variations in robot frames.

With the robot on:


With the robot off:

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

We also use the harbor freight cart with a custom platform mounted to support the robot. Our decision to go with the cart was heavily influenced as an off the shelf solution to raise the robot to facilitate maintenance in the pit.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Our team has had the same cart for about 7 years now. It is a cart from Tractor supply that has 2 layers.


Depending on the size of the robot, and or drive team members, we have differnt sized legs for the table. Works out nice for working on the robot, and also fits the controls batteries and a first aid kit nicely.

The 2nd cart our team has used it this one. It worked great for years,

The bottom cart could be removed from the tool boxes for an easier cart to move with or left with them. Came in really handy when the team made it to the Semifinal, and finals. All the tools were always with us, and had a nice area in the middle for batteries.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

We built a box out of wood that could fit our robot, and put a backplate on it so we could push. Then we added wheels on the bottom, and presto, we had our cart.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

I don't know what it is about that cart, but something about it just screams awesome :p :p



Akash- If we can find a member of 1319 to post their cart, it'd be another source of inspiration. It was built off of a hydraulic lift cart of some sort, but theyve added some features to it. They have a ramp that can flip out so they never need to actually lift their robot to get it onto and off of the cart. I took a picture of it at CMP but cannot find it in my phone at the moment. Of course I am also partial to the MORT cart of 04-07?.

-Brando

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

That would be great if you could find pictures!

Is this the one you're talking about? http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/18346

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Thats the one! Had a lot of fun designing and building that beast.

-Brando

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

We've had the same cart for years. We built it (or had it built) and its served us well. Fits through doors with the robot on it, is really sturdy, etc.

Only downside is that it's kinda heavy.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

We've had good luck with the AndyMark ComboCart. It's got room for several batteries along the sides for quick changes in events with back-to-back matches.
I do wish the push-handle either came out or hinged down, though. That would make it so much more portable.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Thanks for the mention.

I will post a picture with some specs soon. While it is a work in progress it is definitely the best cart we have ever used in my opinion. Not having to ever lift the robot was the main drive behind the design of our new cart. Stay tuned for more to come.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

As you are designing your cart, remember the need to transport the cart to the event and design accordingly.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Build a cart to carry the cart? :D

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Cartception

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

As a team that has to crate their robot to make it to championships I'd also be interested in ideas for carts that fold down or come apart.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Our cart's pretty simple. The handle is removable and slides in.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Best part of your cart, it comes with Kiet and Jon.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Other best part is that sweet machine...it was awesome seeing & playing alongside it at the Fall Classic since we didn't get a chance to attend any of the same regionals!

Overall I think there are two cart philosophies, the height-adjustable type (many using the Harbor Freight cart) and the fixed-height-with-storage-underneath type. Since we went for the Harbor Freight unit, we'll have to continue with a separate battery cart.

I am curious if any teams have a good system for carrying their driver station with the Harbor Freight cart?

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Here is a picture of 418's cart. It has a removable, retractable, locking handle which makes it easy to work around in the pit area. It also has a winch which will raise and lower the section the robot sits on so we can test the drive train or raise it all the way up for a comfortable working height. It is very stable while moving the robot about.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Our cart is based off the AndyMark combo cart, but built in our school by students using spare tubing and new hydraulic presses. It fits the inner beams of the long KOP frame and we sized it to fit inside an elevator that we use quite a bit in our school. Measure before you build anything!

It provides a large amount of storage space on the lower platform, enough for any driver station and we can mount our battery station on it.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Cart Features below and a picture is attached. The one with the robot on it is are old one and is a very nice cart, but you have to lift the robot on and off of it. The new cart is a work in progress and the first time we used it was at St. Louis for Worlds. If there are any questions or comments let me know.

•No Lifting of Robot is necessary
•Fit thru standard doorway
•Adjustable height for working on scoring section or drive train (~4"-32")
•Lift robot wheels off of platform to test robot when needed
•Ability to maneuver over wire ways or other obstructions.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

For a number of years on 968, we used something similar to this: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_802_802. I don't recall if ours was that size but it was at least built the same way. We could easily disassemble and reassemble it in an airport with a couple tools and strap the wheels to it to check it as baggage. We also put it in the robot crate a few times. We carried 8 heavy totes full of parts/batteries/tools/etc on it to load into the pits at Atlanta. There was probably over 500 lbs on the cart.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

The two most important things in a cart are a rigid handle and two casters, preferably on the handle side.

That said, the 2010 kitbot makes a great cart if you put some omni wheels on it.

If you haven't at least started your custom cart by now, I doubt you'll get it done before Kickoff unless you're super organized. We use the McMaster cart, works fine.


Driver and op carry the driver station, HP pulls the cart.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

To add one more thing about our cart, the best part might be the built-in compressor, for charging the pneumatics system pre-match. In the small GM drawer we have a compressor hooked up to a breaker, a switch, a hose, a blow-off valve (to depressurize the line after closing the valve on the robot), and an Anderson connector. Keep an old battery plugged into it, and you don't need to turn the robot on to pressurize it.

The downside is it's very tall, and our ~52" tall robot squeaks/scrapes into our trailer, and all 4 wheels being casters could help it lumbering about.

It's not the big white lettering, is it?

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

For what it's worth, it was illegal in the last several years to charge the robot with a compressor not directly controlled by the robot. That said, I don't know if anyone minds if you use the same compressor powered by a legal FRC battery, but you should be aware and make plans to fix it if called out on it.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

That would only be for an on-robot compressor.

A compressor on a robot card or just lying around wouldn't be violating any rules.

If a compressor was on the robot and say controlled somehow wirelessly by another computer, that'd be a no no

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Quite, quite wrong.
Only a rules permitted and robot controlled compressor may be used to charge the air on a robot on or off the field.

Team 68's cart as described is illegal for FRC use.
While it is possible to have a cart mounted off-board compressor. Specific rules must be understood and followed.

Please read the rules.

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

Alright, I hadn't heard that. I'll see what the mentors say. It's not that much of a pain to use the robot itself to fill the system, but no one has ever seemed to mind either (they may not have even noticed; it doesn't get used much outside our own pit).

Re: Robot Carts - 2012 Edition
 

[R73]
Compressed air on the Robot must be provided by one and only one compressor. Compressor specifications may not exceed nominal 12V, 1.05 cfm flow rate, 120 psi maximum working pressure. Off-board compressors must becontrolled and powered by the Robot.

As a ref I have seen teams bring out a compressor and battery onto the field (usually after a extended wait time between matches or between finals matches) and try and charge their air with this other battery. Every team I have called on this rule has been mad but I have never backed down.