Thanks, all!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donut
I like the bridge ram testing, we've decided upon a similar design (dubbed "the wedge") that works quite well at bridge tipping. This design requires no extra effort on the driver's part beyond driving straight at the bridge. Are you still able to unlock and retract the ram if needed?
|
We plan on only deploying the ram immediately before pushing down the bridge, so it will be stowed and protected for most of the match. The locking plate is servo-actuated, so the arm can be retracted, which will be useful when trying to cram robots onto the bridge.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donut
I'll be curious to see the feed mechanism, a lot of teams are using the wheeled shooter design but I think a good feed is what will really set the accurate and consistent shooting teams apart.
|
I can't show the loader quite yet, mostly because the current system uses about a dozen clamps and two feet of duct tape. Our tests showed that the variable with the greatest impact on shot accuracy was feed speed, so the challenge was to design an automated system that could load balls at a constant and precise rate. We're shooting within a 9-inch diameter circle with our current system at a distance of 20 feet, so the trick will probably be making an accurate targeting program to match.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eedoga
We had a similar idea for crossing the bump, but we were concerned about balls getting stuck under the robot causing penalties. How are you planning to deal with that if the floor gets littered with balls?
|
We'll have a belly pan to keep things out of the robot and guards around all the places balls aren't meant to go, while the bumpers will be mounted at the absolute minimum height needed to cross the bump. While there will certainly be balls scattered around the field, we won't be seeing balls absolutely everywhere like in Lunacy. It should be reasonably easy to find a crossing point that doesn't have balls in the way.