Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Yellow is the new pink?

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Some stuff for designers to consider working on this challenge:

1. CG is a *huge* problem with this game. You're given a smaller base than normal, a heavy, and the opportunity to lift it more than 8 feet in the air. Especially if you are lifting more than one cube at a time, CG needs to be a driving design focus. How many pounds can you afford for your end effector, keeping in mind you're already putting 9 pounds "up high" before you even start?

2. How will you grip the cubes? A 9 pound wooden game piece with smooth edges is not going to automatically work with any permutation of a roller claw. How will your manipulator handle the forces at play? Can you create the necessary static friction force with your rollers? We don't have the advantage of actual prototyping here, but try to be realistic.

3. You're only given 18 inches of extension. With the bumpers, that number shrinks to ~15 inches, not much bigger than the length of one cube. Keep this in mind for any over the bumper mechanisms.

I've been wrapping my head around this when I have spare time between exams. I'll post a "teaser" of what I'm doing in the next day or two, and I'd be happy to explain what I came up with when and if I finish a basic model.

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

If I didn't know any better I would guess that was 1678's drive system from last year painted yellow.

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

It does have resemblances to 1678's 2013 drive but I didn't base my design off of theirs. Its a plate drive that I designed this fall using 3/16in plate, 8wd, 4in colson wheels, and ball shifters. Everything is run with chains with sliding standoffs as tensioners.

Oddly enough I did talk to one of their mentors Adrian Clark about a previous version of this drive (that used WCP single speed gearboxes) and he offered some excellent feedback, suggestions, and his thoughts about plate drives and West Coast Drives. It was great being able to talk to someone from the west cost on the matter as it seems there are big differences in how east cost and west coast team's design drivebases. We also had a good discussion on resources and how we use them.

So no it isn't 1678's drive but it was influenced by their mentors. :)

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

*retracted, wrong thread, oops!*

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Here is my teaser.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxr...it?usp=sharing

My robot works by using a giant yellow cloud of magical dust which teleports all of the crates onto the shelf within the first 3 seconds of the match.

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Do I spy a swerve? I'll have to talk with Brendan about that now..;)

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Yes, I am planning on using a swerve. I do not think that Brendan is, but I'm not sure.

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

With the new release of the VEXpro/WCP product line, we'd love to see teams utilize these new COTS items in their designs! We're excited to see the robots in 2014 use these parts, and more excited to see your designs before kickoff!

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Update:

In addition to the $50 gift card, the student winner of this design competition will receive a very cool shirt, generously donated by the folks at VEX Robotics.

When we select a winner, we will ask for your size and address to get your prize out to you ASAP!

Hope that is enough incentive to continue on with this design competition. Make sure you do your very best!

Good luck!

-Akash

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Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

If a team of students win do they all get shirts?

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

Do we have to include bolts/velcro/rivets in our CAD models?

Re: Announcing the 2013 December Design Competition
 

I'm really far behind on this competition, so I don't know if I'll get things done with how slow I am at Inventor, but I thought I'd post a picture from a few days ago and explain some of my thoughts on design for this game.



Essentially there's the important parts of the drivetrain and intake. The drivetrain uses a 3 CIM single speed through 5 inch wheels. Geared for about 9 FPS - the robot is rarely traveling more than half the length of the field. Internal belts handle power transmission. 1/16th drop - the math says a no-drop drive would have worked, but I wanted a little just to be safe.

The intake is affixed to the drivetrain and not any kind of elevation mechanism. (Why do you think this is? Will explain more at end of challenge). Two "flippers" feature 1" "marshmallow wheels" driven by BAG motors running through VersaPlanetary transmissions. These are pneumatically actuated to allow for pressure on the crates and the ability to release crates from its grip. I still need to figure out exactly how I'm mounting the pistons - right now they are concentric with holes on the chassis and flippers in order to get the motion figured out.

Ultimately I think one of the biggest challenges of the game is securely gripping the game piece. Dropping a 9 pound crate has serious consequences for any robot underneath it, and I don't think just any roller claw is able to lift a crate off the ground. I can't wait to see what others come up with.