pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

Well, the above looks (operative word: looks) like a standard cylinder used on an AM Shifter (and many other designs for its widespread availability).

I can only imagine this will have something to do with a minibot launcher or some other one-shot device--I can't see the reduced stroke being used to shift a drive gearbox unless they redid the entire thing to accommodate that (and I think that if anyone can play the if-it-ain't-broke card...)

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

I can see it being used to reduce the amount of air a shifting transmission uses. The project could easily be a gearbox that makes it work.

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

the smaller bore would mean less force, and for the weight and complexity of solenoids and all the tubing, they might as well use a servo, or a pair of servos.

my bet is on mini-bot deployment.

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

The only reason I think this could be a shifting piston is because many teams don't shift at 60 PSI now just fine. So this smaller system at 60 could equal other systems at 40.

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

Are you coming to CalGames?

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

Many teams use short stroke cylinders for shifting their transmissions. 987 uses a half inch stroke for our ball shifter...

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

I think the small cylinder is going to be used for shifting the custom 2 speed gearbox on your six wheel drive train.

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

I think whatever this project is that it has a few less wheels.

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

They already have a ramp so I don't know what else they could do/

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

Let's just say California will be rocked in the off-season with what 973 has in store for it. :p

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

Both of these cylinders are .5" stroke, and both are readily available. 3/4" Bore is somewhat "standard" in FRC from the years it was one of the few allowed sizes, but industry doesn't respect these limitations. Both can be bought directly from bimba or mcmaster for the same price more or less, and ship fast.

The lower one is a 5/16" Bore, and has substantially less shifting force.

We've also been running 9/16" bore shifters the last two seasons with great success.

Won't say what they're for just yet, but some good comments in the thread so far!

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

Given the following, I'd say the opposite.

I think it's a drivebase overhaul - these puppies will be used to raise/lower wheels.

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

These may also offer an appropriate amount of clamping force for a "gas shock" style roller claw. (ie. 1902 in '08)

Re: pic: FRC973 offseason teaser
 

Keep in mind that a 5/16" bore is only pushing with 4.5 lbs.