pic: Wildstang 2008
 

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holy moley...its gonna be another amazing 'stang bot

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wow... i am ALWAYS amazed on how much you can pack into a bot and still make it under weight.

now, only if i could see it up close...

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Are those bouncy balls I see in the clear tube :ahh: !? I am amazed at the robot. I can not wait to see it in action!

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looks amazing yet again guys, I'll be watching it as close as I can from my computer screen :D

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Excellent design. Are those bouncy balls inside the accumulator? I see crab drive, but it's hard to see how you hurdle the ball (maybe a lift system?).

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That clear tube better not be an accumulator! I'd have to fail it at inspection for a non conforming pneumatic device. I'm sure the wiring is up to code. :D

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I would venture to guess that clear tube is a roller, looks like pulley driven from a banebots gearbox near the top. I would also guess the octagon panel folds down to the floor to hold the ball like an "egg dyeing" scoop, with the panel with the roller supporting it from the top.

Another great looking bot, good luck Wildstang!

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Very cool, as usual. Looks like you take up a pretty large footprint this year, I'm guessing that front frame assembly drops down after the match starts for more stability. Although I'm having trouble figuring out the manipulator... I see the ball knocker offer, but I don't get how the robot picks up the ball and (guessing here) launches it?

I'll be watching the webcast this week to see how it works!

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Actually the more I look at it the more it reminds me of the 2004 Wildstang robot.

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Looks like a elevator/forklift design. Those two large cylinders right next to each other would provide a lot of lift.


Nice work guys, can't wait to see it at Boilermaker.

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Wildstang,
Another sexy machine out of your shop. The bouncy balls are definitely a nice touch in the roller. Is the caster assembly an outrigger that is extended for additional stability or is this your starting configuration? Judging by where the bumpers end I'm guessing they slide out....but you guys never cease to amaze and surprise me. Great job! Can't wait to see it in action.
-wayne

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Just one more reason that Midwest is the regional to watch this weekend. Can't wait to see it in action in person at Boilermaker.

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

Hmmmm...
How to answer....
Dana, the clear tube is and remains at the atmospheric pressure of the venue.
The balls are ping pong balls with "ones" on them, multicolor of course.
No, we don't do the easter egg thing but we do pick up balls.
No, we don't launch, but we can hurdle.
Lauren, Lauren, Lauren, no idea how you came to that conclusion!
Yes, we think we are stable, but time will tell.
Same as always, we can go forward and back, and up and down.
See everyone on Thursday.

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

hmm... does it look more of car type steering, now that i look at it more closely.




edit//

let's all rant in demand of a video... :p

Re: pic: Wildstang 2008
 

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

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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)

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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?

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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.

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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:?

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

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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?

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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.

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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?!?

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

Good luck at midwest.

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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.