Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

We also used a vacuum system last year, but all we did was rip the impeller out of a shop vac and hook it up to a geared up cim. It worked pretty well, but we gained a reputation for our incredibly loud robot. You would also need a way to turn off suction. Last year, we used our kicker to get it off of the tubes, but I don't think using a kicker will be as good of an idea this year XD

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

Greetings from eStop Robotics!!!

Thanks to Liam for suggesting our Custom Controls Interface (CCI)!

Last year, a team we sponsor, Royal Assault Team 357, was able to use the impeller and tubing from a vacuum cleaner for a suction device. They were able to control it using custom controls.

This year we've introduced a new product, the CCI, for just this purpose. It is a simple, effective way to add custom controls to your robot.

The CCI has 12 digital inputs and 4 analog inputs. No special SW or drivers to install. It works with your Driver Station PC out of the box. Your cRio programming is also no different than using a joystick, the same functions are used for the CCI as a regular joystick.

The CCI can be used to wire up switches for your controls. Using the CCI and a switch, you could turn on or off your suction device when you want to during a match.

http://www.estoprobotics.com/estore/...d&productId=33

Good Luck to all the teams!!!

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

Our team tried to use a vacuum suction system last year for ball acquisition. Let's just say it didn't go well. First of all, it can be very heavy and space consuming, since the vacuum can weigh a ton, depending on what parts you use. Second, it is very unreliable, either not having enough power to pick up a ball, or having too much power and not letting go. I suggest using either something with pneumatics or surgical tubing/spring type system. good luck!

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

If you use a venturi type system, you could mount a high-sensitivity limit switch next to the end effector that only allows air through the venturi vacuum generator when the end effector was in contact with a tube. This, combined with many and/or large air tanks, could help conserve battery power.

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

team 1086 used a venturi system in 2007 with a decent amount of success. suction can really do a good job or holding on to the tubes once you find the right suction cup. the main drawbacks we experienced were a slower pick up and release time (suction takes a second to kick in a release) and the big one is battery consumption. even with 4 clippards on our bot we had to constantly run our compressor, leaving use with a nearly dead bot at the end of the match. it could make things hard when it comes down to deploying a minibot when you can hardly move. and like you said this may force you to borrow some batteries during elims.

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

What suction cup did your team use? We used an Anver VC25 http://www.anver.com/document/vacuum...s-vc253545.htm
We bought a suction cup to test and our initial results were not too stellar, although this was with only students testing (no mentor oversight). We connected a suction cup to the end of a pneumatic cylinder and pulled the piston, creating decent suction on a flat surface, but poor suction on the tube. (Originally, the design called for a second cylinder,pulling the piston of the first, but we were not able to complete it with the materials we had.)
We were not dead set on a suction cup; it was one of two possible attachments to our arm, the other being a simple tong mechanism. But I would like to see if the idea can be scrapped in any kind of way.

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

we used a vacuum last year, and it was a real battery killer, not to mention that it barely made it through the regional before wearing out.

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

suction just sucks, unless i'm cleaning up a mess i just stay away from it.

only tried it once
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxDGLgaA3QY

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

We prototyped it this year, holds the tube well except for a side to side motion. Lots of air...

Re: Dissadvantages of Suction?
 

not always although i don't think this is the year for it we used 2 fp on our 2008 bot it was awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeQSGmFnKAE

also we used a 2 stage impeller which gives a higher delta-p