Re: Picking Two other Robots off the ground
 

In terms of "how to lift two other robots" I've learned early on that you never say this way or that way cannot be done--some team WILL prove you wrong. We think that the easy way to get it done is to is to lift ourselves above the height necessary to allow them to hook onto our bars which serve as both ball control (keeping them from violating the 3" rule) and hanging bars. Once they casually roll forward to hook on we lift only enough necessary to lift them off the ground. This keeps them from worrying about being dropped from a dangerous hieght from an unknown all. Also, the total lift can be done quicker this way.
As for the importance of this feat, I agree with the earlier post, that you will see this often in Atlanta. By then we hope to have it perfected.
BTW. Lil' Lavery,I look forward to seeing the double ramps. I think that is an awesome approach--we were weight challenged after focusing on a variable distance kicker and chose the simpler route.
Finally, lifting 450 lbs. shoulod be easy with what we have available to us this year!

Re: Picking Two other Robots off the ground
 

Some things require more drive than is present in humans. A dual lifter that itself becomes ELEVATED might be that.

Re: Picking Two other Robots off the ground
 

Lifting is an easy job for TENSION elements - think cable/line,
Everything you need for strength to lift 500 lbs of robots (minus energy source) fits in the palm of your hand. Just get some high tech synthetic cable (line as it is called at the marine supply store). A 1/8"x1/4" profile can handle 1000+ pounds, and add an aluminum hook with pulley.. Place your hook on the bar & winch your line. Stop at height where your partners can grab on to you (with their hooks), then keep on winching.
High tech sailing line with 1500 lb break strength costs <$0.50 per foot.
-Dick Ledford

Re: Picking Two other Robots off the ground
 

If you say so ....

... I personally disagree with your assessment of 'easy' and I would be very concerned with robot damage.

Re: Picking Two other Robots off the ground
 

Something else to consider for anyone attempting to do this: hanging mechanisms this year are aiming for a bar 7 feet off the ground. This means that a lot of mechanisms probably won't be able to hook onto anything near to the ground, so the "lift yourself part way, let your partners hook on, then finish lifting" plan may require lifting your robot much farther off the ground than the platform height, leading to longer lift times and more damage when something fails.