Mini Bot Deployment
 

We are trying to brainstorm ways to get our minibot from our robot to the pole on the tower. We know we have to travel at least 24 inches, but we are stuck on how to do it. We have considered pneumatics, a horizontal scissor lift, and a rack and pinion set-up, but found flaws in each, the main one being size. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Best of luck to everyone in competition!

Re: Mini Bot Deployment
 

what about a drawer type deployment system? The way they showed it in the kickoff seemed to be very controled. The swing arm would work too. That's just what my team has been considering.

Re: Mini Bot Deployment
 

Maggie?, the minibot only needs to go a little under 18" (3.5" bumper and 14.125 outer edge of base to pole). This assumes you rest your bumper against the base of the tower...hit the base full speed and compression of bumper would reduce the distance and with luck minibot momentum would carry it to the pole to deploy (jk)! Seriously, a 3/4" bore @ 18" could do the job with help of a "track" could do the job...even surgical tubing...good luck.

Re: Mini Bot Deployment
 

I would stay away from horizontal scissor lifts, they tend to sag.

Re: Mini Bot Deployment
 

Have you thought about having the minibot on an arm that swings out such that your minibot is then suspended outside your hostbot on a breakaway arm? You could just then drive right past the pole with a tube in possession without stopping to deploy.

Re: Mini Bot Deployment
 

Just because your minibot can't have stored energy doesn't mean your deployment system can't =)

Re: Mini Bot Deployment
 

You could design your robot's arm to push the minibot.