Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

Actually, I'm not so sold on the idea of holding balls until late match. Students of Half-Pipe Hustle learned that it was often more difficult to acquire randomly-scattered balls than it was to get neatly-ordered ones. (Indeed, this became the default strategy for many of the Championship elimination matches.)

That said, both it and Hangin'-A-Round involved relatively precise aim in scoring in goals. This is not the case here, unless you're aiming to lock up balls. I expect to see a fair number of teams looking towards the better power dumpers of Lunacy and reacting accordingly.

One thing I notice is that the size difference between small balls (4" diameter) and medium balls (5.25" diameter) might be small enough to let you get away with only one roller. (Intake rollers on a linear slide? Rubber bands to pull the rollers back down to small-ball height? Break down and use a motor to control height?) Lift the whole basket a la FRC2775, and it might be crazy enough to work. Add the appropriate hardware to it, and you might have an easy gate to hold the large ball too--run the lift up, place the ball, get in position, drop the lift, ball goes over.

Bear in mind, I don't have a dog in this fight--take all of the above with a full shaker of salt, and test incessantly.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

That makes sense, but teams who are aiming for the goals would have to reach higher than what 2775 reached, in reference to the robot frame.

But for a team who is aiming for a strong dumper will definitely have success with the design that bill'fred suggested.

But I still think that the center goals will make all the difference.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I thought you were an FTC guy. Are you coming back to the Vexside?

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

That was my latest idea, Billfred. Basically a little like NC Gears's bot with two hoppers, one for each kind of ball, or a linear sliding tread. Then a tray that lifts up like Syntax Error in Hangin-A-Round.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

<snark>If you get all the balls over to the other side of the field, you don't have to worry about the goals. ;)</snark>

Seriously, though, I'm still not entirely sold on the idea of locking up small balls. The 20 extra points is nice, don't get me wrong, but the amount of reach required to get them looks like something you'd have to specialize on. With 180 points potentially out there without locking up (50 in small balls, 105 in medium balls, 20 in large balls, 5 in autonomous), I think the money is elsewhere.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I definitely agree with that Billfred, well said. Wanna help me design my VRC robot?;)

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I've been trying to design a robot that expands into a 12' by 2' wall, with a conveyor in the center. I think I can do it, too. (whether or not it can stand upright is not my problem).

If the wall doesn't work, then I will probably either move to a super dumper, or an automatic cannon that may or may not aim.

This is going to be hell of a game for the field reset crews.

First post on Chief Delphi! :D

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I'm tempted by a 12" squarebot design. no front plate on the chassis, and a vertical metal plate set back further on a worm gear. plate pulls back to store balls and pushes forward to push them through the slot. maybe a basic arm holding another plate, or higher up and on a servo,which can flip down and hold the balls in.

now to sell it to my team...

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

One of the guys on my team is convinced on building a robot for this competition so I'm not going to stop him. :D. I'm actually joining him.

I agree that there are points elsewhere, but when you get into the finals were the robot across from you has the same capabilities that your robot has, and they're also looking to capitalize on the balls, and simply getting them over the wall, it'll be the goals that'll make a difference. :D

Muahaha. 2775's robot is unique and definitely a usable design in VRC...interesting back to drawing board. :D.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

It's pretty good, but I'm drawing more on 1280 at this point. (One of the finest robots to NOT make it to Atlanta this year...)

And welcome back to VEX. We do both FTC and VEX (we got to play against Team Driven at VRC Worlds this year), and it's good to see another old-timer come over to VRC.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

if i have read the rules correctly are we not allowed any nylon rope this year?
Its a shame if they realy are not going to allow it i will have to re think my lift design.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

Its strange that all my designs this year involve servos... last year we were avoiding them completely and asking what the point of them was

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

I would say there is a decent chance that the real meaning of this is "look for vex-brand nylon rope in the next few months." I'm designing away from rope for now though, just in case. In the meantime, just use a spool to wind vex chain up, for a similar effect.

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

Are rubber bands "technically" part of the VEX kit?

Re: New VEX Game Announced!
 

Now they are. Most of the "In addition to vex parts, you can use x, y, and z" parts have become vex products over the years, such as rubber bands, velcro, and non-slip padding. I wouldn't be surprised if rope was next on the list.