Re: Minibot climb rate
 

Use encoders with a 15 foot cable and leave the NXT at the ground for testing purposes. Minimal impact on the robot, enough to get good data.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

Good suggestion!
Alternatively, shorter wires and move the NXT along side by hand. Either way, any data you get is better than guessing.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

wow congrats that quick ha ha top secret ::rtm:: what about gracious professionalism just kidding just wondering what parts you are using

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

Nothing in GP says a team has to publicly share designs, keeping a competitive edge will be especially crucial in regards to the minibot as many will be easily within range of being duplicated.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

I have a question regarding the minibot and this seems to be the best place to ask it. Sorry if that's not correct.

R92 specifically mentions the following 2 adhesives.
G. Polycarbonate glue
R. PVC cement or cleaner

Does this really mean nothing else can be used? I'm thinking that exactly what that means, but I would like some more input.

If we indeed can only use these two adhesives and nothing else... In my limited experience, the PVC cement is not very useful on anything but PVC and/or CPVC. The "Polycarbonate glue" seems have different varieties available and some of those look like they might be useful for attaching other items on the minibot list to each other. However, it sure would be nice to just whip out the contact cement or silicone if it's kosher to do so.

Thanks for any input in advance.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

I will give one hint: Surgical Tubing is being used. And yes, it does comply with the rules :yikes:

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

Welcome to Chiefdelphi!

As you will see mentioned in many threads here, the official answers to rules questions can only be provided through the Q&A system. Additionally, refinements to the rules come out in the Team Updates as well. All we can do here is give our opinions based on the rules.

Strictly speaking, I do not believe <R92> allows the use of any glue other than the two mentioned. One other place to check is in the Tetrix catalog linked in Team Update #3. If it is not listed in either place, then it most likely will not be allowed.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

less than 5 pounds, so somewhere between 1-4 pounds will be good.:cool:

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

I agree. BTW, thanks for the welcome. I'm a long time lurker, 1st time poster.

You are welcome for all the fish and thank you for all the input.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

But wouldn't surgical tubing that was wound up before deployment be considered stored energy? Otherwise you could just have a motor running and solely rely on the surgical tubing to launch you up the pole.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

Surgical tubing that does not contribute to the vertical motion of the robot is allowed. The best exampe I can think of is a surgical tubing tied gate latch.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

huh?

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

In that case I get it, it is going to come down to the deployment. Our current version of the mini bot can get up the pole in under 4 seconds, but it is still in the early testing stages. We have talked using surgical tubing in the delivery method...but like I said we are still working on which of our two gripper prototypes we want to proceed with.

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

we're now down to the 3-3.5 second range, and I think we could get under three with some more design tweaks and lightening. The design is still top secret, but I will tell you that it uses parts in intresting ways...:D

Re: Minibot climb rate
 

I'm calling shenanigans on a minibot under 3 seconds. Reliably deploying and shutting off while making the climb in under 3.5 seconds is even improbable @ 14V, perfect peak power, and the minimum 3.5lbs it takes for the battery, motors, switches, [custom] wheels, and just 1 ft. of attachment structure held together with magic (or rivets...).