Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

We've finally begun parsing our raw video from the Pacific Northwest Regional into individual matches.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9rLeu0NYyU

Here's qualifying match #3. The ringer-scoring machines hadn't yet warmed up, explaining some of the really defense-heavy strategy. I thought some folks might be interested in seeing how the lifts looked in action, though, so check out the last twenty or so seconds.

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

well done. very smooth. looks like you make it easy on other robots

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

It was really cool to watch your lifter system in action. The motion seemed so smooth and even, unlike some other lifters.

Just wondering, what angle were the small ramps attached to your main platforms?

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

Ah what a nice reminder of the PNW regional, that was one of our best matches. Best of luck

-Dave McLaughlin, 1983 Driver

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

Congratulations on your #2 finish today, and your two post-game awards (Like the engineering award)!

Our team was right next to you in the stands so...

What time is it?

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

488!!

Thank you so much for the compliments! We are beyond thrilled to be moving onward to Atlanta!

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

Independent lifting, very nice. That can come in very handy. Hope to see you guys in Atlanta. Can you guys do a "buzzer" lift too with your gas springs? 1501 Buzzer Lift.

I was looking at this picture

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

Gas springs would also be capable of a "buzzer lift", as they don't require power to move.

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

I wasn't sure what they had to "release" them to make them lift after the buzzer.

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

Yeah, and with any luck, 675 will run into 488 at Atlanta as well. We did pretty good at the San Jose Regional (as you probably saw, We were Semifinalists and were allied with 987 & 846) and we're optimistic for Davis.

Anywho, the xbot seemed to work pretty well. I like the controller board (with the shielded toggle switches for ramp release) and the detachable ramp mechanisms.

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

Probably a failsafe or something, like if radio contact is disabled, then release a pin or something, or maybe a system so that it needs power to keep the ramps down and after power is taken from the bot it lifts.

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

Our gas springs are restrained by two steel hooks per side that mechanically link the upper part of the lift's four bar linkage with the lower part, holding them shut. On the bottom side of each lift is a Fisher Price motor passing through a Banebots 256:1 gearbox with a custom clutch and bellcrank assembly on the output. The bell crank is fixed to the hooks by some threaded rod and translates the rotary motion of the motor to linear motion required to release the hooks. It takes a fraction of a second long pulse of power to the FP motors to rotate them enough to pull the hooks and the clutch helps to avoid damaging the bell crank if the system is overrevved.

In effect, we're using the force of the gas springs -- 125 lbs. ea., 250 lbs. per side -- to create sufficient friction between the hooks and the lower part of the four bar linkage. When the lifts do not have a robot on them, it's very difficult to overcome that friction and release the lifts and is intentional. The added weight of a robot on the lifts reduce the force of friction and makes it far easier to release the hooks. It's as much of a failsafe as we could afford and works very well. The lifts have only deployed unintentionally twice and both resulted from very high shock loads.

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

I agree. It took me, 170 lbs, and two really big guys, 220+ to put them down. Although, the trip down was pretty fast.


That's it, I hope no one was expecting anything brilliant.

Oh yeah, Madison...





HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYYY!!!!!

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

omg 488 we yell that at school just because of the pure awesomeness

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

Are you done with your robot

Re: Video of FRC488 lifting two robots
 

This is from last season. So far, this year, we're only almost done with our drive train.