Thread: Beatty tracks
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Unread 04-04-2002, 22:51
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kmcclary kmcclary is offline
Founder 830/1015;Mentor 66/470/1502
FRC #0470 (Alpha Omega Robotics)
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Re: we've tried and tried....

Quote:
Originally posted by Mike Soukup
No one has yet tried to push Beatty from behind. We think it's possible but didn't need to since they gave us a goal in both matches.

They cannot let goal of the goals once they have them. And good luck stealing a goal from them, it won't happen.

Mike
I know we can't reach under the goals, but is there any rule or reason why a robot "forklift" can't just reach under another robot?

To defeat Beatty, you'll need a serious "traction breaker" machine of some kind. One "wedge front" machine won't do it. The file card arm length almost guarantees you'll have to lift it vertically. You'll need a pair of wedge bots working together, or else a true forklift robot.

Now a forklift robot doesn't even need to grab the goals itself. If robot forklifts are allowed, it seems the smartest move to me would be to let Beatty (or another two goal controller) grab the pair of goals. You then simply waltz over, jack up 'ol 71 to break its traction, and slowly tractor the entire robot and the two goals it is still holding to your scoring area while it wiggles its file cards in the air. If Beatty can't release the goals, all the better! They can't let go while you're tractoring them and have to help you!

You simply need adjustable drop down or extendable thin forks with a wedge shaped front edge & a small roller embedded in each of them, and a really geared down drivetrain. Think "service station quick lift hydraulic car jack or scissors jack", but done with lead screws or cylinders. The weight of the robot you're lifting an inch or two provides the traction weight for you. (Of course, this won't work against robots with extendable "lunar lander feet"...)

Two wedge fronted robots might be able to do the same thing with a lot of coordination if each one gets on an opposite side of the two goal controller and approach each other. Just like two guys carrying a sofa between them. Only problem: Beatty's partner is going to be harassing you while you try it.

As long as you don't try to forklift the goals, are there any rules preventing this?

Any forklift (or wedge fronted) robots out there now that are capable of taking them on this way?

If you're planning on taking on Beatty, I'd start thinking about the fastest way to make some add-on wedges or forks for the fronts of your robots!

- Keith
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Keith McClary - Organizer/Mentor/Sponsor - Ann Arbor MI area FIRST teams
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