Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

I'll guess those tie-dyed, numbered balls are used for alliance-partner lotto. :D

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

I may be wrong, but i'm betting it's crab/swerve. It's clear that all 4 wheels are steerable (look at the wires sticking up).

After zooming in on the pic, you can see the chains linking the two front and two back wheels. I'm betting it's front and back linked crab. (And, is that an MA3 encoder? It looks like one =D)

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

I see 4 large pneumatics, 2 smaller things (pneumatics or gas shocks) and a small motor powering the lottery roller. I can't figure out all the linkages from the picture, though - how does this arm move?

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

I'm beginning to think the full photo of the robot is a worse tease than the teasers.

My head hurts. It's those little lottery balls, I want to watch them go.

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

add different numbers....make a betting pool of some sort (whatever order they stop in at the end of the match?), revenues going to the team, prize to the winner

At least I know in this lottery where my money is really going :)

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Casters on a WildStang robot?
Is this an imposter's robot or is this a "wheelie bar" feature :confused:?

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

I think Wayne nailed it here. It definitely looks like the caster assembly is not directly affixed to the chassis proper.

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

I think you're right! Looking closely at the left side, you can see a little latch-looking thing. Over-analyzing a little more, the caster assembly drops down (note that sliding backwards into the frame is not an option due to welding). Pivot point is probably along the bottom frame rail somewhere.

Other notes: At least one side is some variety of swerve, but not coaxial (motor wires coming up, indicating vertical motors, one per module, plus chain across the top of the frame in the front). Probably full swerve, noting another chain in the back.

So, nice "expanding" swerve drive, Wildstang! How does the rest work?

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

I agree. I can't even imagine how you managed to stay under weight. Nice job! I can't wait to have the mystery of how it works solved, and see it action.

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Does anyone else spy a hinge on the octagon shaped frames. I noticed the two octagon frames earlier but missed the hinge the first scan through the robot. I’m wonder if the robot unfolds is such a way to act like a conveyor belt system (replacing the conveyor belt with the crazy roller system).

PS: To decipher my first message accumulator = roller and crab drive = swerve drive.

Hi Al. I hope you're doing well. I'm taught all my students everything you taught me about electronics.

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Only if the team is #1, #11, or #1111. The design was a fallout of a long build day and everyone being a little giddy. So they got painted when we painted our bumpers, what's a little overspray among friends? Raul said, "Ping Pong balls, they weigh nothing!"

Lauren,
I am glad you are working with a team. You will prove to be a great Wildstang ambassador out there in CA. Don't give away all our secrets at once though. Heads might explode. We really are very proud of you, keep up the good work. Two more students are following in your MSOE footsteps this year.

Everyone,
Who ever said we were under weight? Isn't that what Thursdays are for, dieting?!?

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Al, Looks great (as usual). Are those welds I see? Where are all the rivets?

Good luck at midwest.

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Mike,
Welds are for the parts that aren't supposed to move. Rivets for those that might or those that break or those that are too heavy to stay on...There's too many reasons for rivets.