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Unread 27-02-2011, 21:55
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Nuttyman54 Nuttyman54 is offline
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AKA: Evan "Numbers" Morrison
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Re: resetting window motor driven arm after each round

Team 190 is using a mechanical solution (see attached pictures), similar to what Chris mentioned. We have the motor on a spring-loaded mount, which allows it to be pulled back out of the coupler, and the system rotated out of the way. We still have to power it up in the pits to drive it back to the correct position, but this lets us fold up our systems quickly on the field so they don't get damaged in transit to the cart and back to the pits.

It's fairly easy to do, we used 3" long #10 bolts and lock nuts, some standard SAE washers and springs we had lying around (you can find springs like these anywhere, Home Depot, McMaster, etc.). The plate was made with a band saw, drill press and a hole saw to allow the coupler to fit through. We did cut off the disk on the coupler, but there are ways to make this mechanism that doesn't require that.

The springs don't need to be super strong, since the spline on the coupler does a pretty good job of staying in there. We have about 0.5" inches of engagement on the coupler and it works great.
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