[Garth1388]

We chose to use pneumatics on the elbow because we thought it would be easier to do than to mess with motors or chains that far out. We also thought that it would be much more simple for the operators. The original design was for the elbow to deploy in autonomous and remain out the remainder of the match, but as we built it and thought that it might interfere with defense we started to sweat a little. Once we finished it, we found that it would recall with a little nudge. We still aren't planning on using that joint too many times.

The rod sticking out of the side is our mechanism for releasing a ramp and platform. It's hooked up to a lever on the shaft wich will turn it, causing more levers to turn, causing the pressure of the springs to push them out.

The whole system, including the base weighs about 20 pounds, I think. We made the base a little beefy, but we wanted the support.

The claw is made of some kind of poly-something-or-other. There are people on the team that know the name but I don't. But we all took turns standing and jumping on it and it didn't break or even warp! The claw weighs only about a pound and a half.