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Unread 15-08-2013, 01:17
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FRC #1197 (Torbots)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: SoCal
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Re: Defensive wedge done differently

I can think of twice in the last 15 years where 330 has used any form of immobilization device--that's it. (1999 had the potential to immobilize itself, but as that's more closely related to an octocanum than to a "planter", that doesn't count.)

In 2002, the game required teams to hold up to 3 goals in one zone of the field. 330 dropped the bottom of their frame--which happened to be covered in traction material--onto the carpet, tipping the robot up in the process. While we could come down, we usually didn't. Other teams did similar tricks, as I recall.

In 2003, part of the game was to hold position on top of a ramp/platform. Two wedges that locked over the edges of the platform did the trick--but they raised at the end of the match if they hadn't already done so. Again, we weren't the only ones to do something of this nature.

You'll notice that in both cases, the game essentially required the robot to be stationary for a significant period of time. The last time a game had that--besides the balanced bridges in 2012--was 2003, and most of the time that was "the first one up locks down, everybody else fights to get to the rest of the spots". There hasn't been a game since where robots have needed to be stationary outside of the end of the match for more than a few seconds at a time.

Translation: Interesting idea, but probably a waste of time for actual use unless the game requires--or your team thinks the game requires--being stationary for longer than a few seconds, or if parking on a sloped surface at the end of the match may be required. IMO, you're better off with octocanum, which is rather complex, but is only one linked system instead of two independent systems, which can make life easier.

You could also do something much simpler. Ever try to move a mecanum robot when all 4 wheels are prevented from rotating? Say, by an on-wheel brake system or a pin in a convenient hole in a sprocket?
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