Minibot Time Showcase
 

Out of curiosity, as well as friendly competition, I would love to hear from other teams what they have gotten for their minibot.

Currently, we range from 2.9 - 3.1 seconds.

To see an image of the bot as well as a more detailed explanation:
http://jcoinster.blogspot.com/2011/0...ibot-2011.html

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

I had had the idea of starting a thread about this but you beat me to it! Anyway here is a video of our prototype in action, we tried one like yours but it failed too many times...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IKLSgfXqcM

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

It probably kept failing because of the center of gravity issues, we actually gave up on it too but then realized the next day that it could be fixed. Good Luck!

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

Thats what i keep trying to tell the rest of our minibot subeam, they dont believe me.

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

I can relate.
When you had the similar design, was there a guide bar along the side? Without that bar, it wouldn't work. At one point, we mounted a dummy gear as a counterweight :)

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

We tried guide bars in 3-4 different spots but the bot went off in one direction or another, we got more tetrix hardware in though and a may give the other, more simple (deployment wise) bot another try again tomorrow.

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

Heh. One of our prototypes is of this design. We just got our batteries yesterday, and have yet to complete the wiring, but it's good to know that we're on a good track in terms of ascension time.
The center of gravity issues took some tuning, but we got it so that the minibot can hang on the pole without support or power.
Have you considered a deployment system?

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

The smallest and sometimes accidental mistakes can lead to a big improvement!

Did you use a weight to substitute the battery?

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

My team tried to do FTC in 2008, so we have a battery. Problem is, the battery doesn't charge. Thus the need to order new ones.

So yes, we did technically use a weight to substitute a battery.

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

Did you check the fuse? We honestly were stumped at how our new battery wouldnt work for a good hour. :o

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

Does this include deployment time? It seems like that will be just as important as how fast it climbs.

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

I think it's safe to say that this number is without deployment. It would need a rocket to go up that fast including deployment :D

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

We have! I was working on a simple pneumatic deplorer today. I don't have any pictures however...

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

I'll get a video of it tomorrow and post it.

Re: Minibot Time Showcase
 

Can't wait to see it!