How Do you Climb the Rope?

[jblay]

What ideas have people had so far? This is a crazy task and I think we are going to see a lot of different designs.

I also think a lot of teams are going to overlook the act of acquiring the rope before climbing it. What are the different designs that people expect to see?

[SenorZ]

I see the main challenge as grabbing and enveloping the rope, so it doesn't "pop out" during the climb.

[bobbysq]

I think with a proper loop, a metal hook attached to a winch could grab on to it. You'd need to be careful to avoid digging into the carpet though.

[Lady-of-Fandoms]

My team has a vague idea. Tie one knot on the rope, just below the maximum height of the robot. Have a mechanism on the back with a claw the width of the rope, and moves up and down between the bottom and top of the bot. Move the claw to the top of the bot, grab the rope above the knot, and pull the robot up.

[shrek]

Look up some lego rope climbing robots. My team has gotten some inspiration from some of the smaller lego robots.
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[GeeTwo]

We're working four different prototype tracks for climbing. We figured out pretty quickly that securing the rope would be the fiddly bit.

• "Keyhole" (knot)
• "Hook Drum" (loop)
• "Wringer" (plain end)
• "LevelWind" (plain end)

All but "wringer" involve pulling the rope with a winch/drum/spool. Wringer is more like a continuous intake mechanism.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

We're working four different prototype tracks for climbing. We figured out pretty quickly that securing the rope would be the fiddly bit.

• "Keyhole" (knot)
• "Hook Drum" (loop)
• "Wringer" (plain end)
• "LevelWind" (plain end)

All but "wringer" involve pulling the rope with a winch/drum/spool. Wringer is more like a continuous intake mechanism.

449 would like to assure you that securing the rope via the "hook drum" approach is actually quite easy.

[Ichlieberoboter]

Originally Posted by bobbysq

I think with a proper loop, a metal hook attached to a winch could grab on to it. You'd need to be careful to avoid digging into the carpet though.

Yup, that's our team's plan exactly.

[rocketgamer102]

My team is considering using a Velcro rope and a Velcro cylinder to pick up the Velcro. It was tested and proven it can lift a robot

[ICE_Bear]

Originally Posted by rocketgamer102

My team is considering using a Velcro rope and a Velcro cylinder to pick up the Velcro. It was tested and proven it can lift a robot

What motors work to lift the weight of a robot? Of course some have to, but we are at a loss as to what we could use.

[MoistRobot]

Originally Posted by ICE_Bear

What motors work to lift the weight of a robot? Of course some have to, but we are at a loss as to what we could use.

You need JVN's Mechanical Design Calculator, a wonderful tool. Linear Mechanism tab should have what you need.

[who716]

775 do a nice job lifting the robot quick

[Crew Cox]

Originally Posted by who716

775 do a nice job lifting the robot quick

Careful not to let them stall though they'll burn up quick.

[Ari423]

Originally Posted by ICE_Bear

What motors work to lift the weight of a robot? Of course some have to, but we are at a loss as to what we could use.

Shameless plug here. If you aren't sure what motor(s) and reduction to use for your climber (or any mechanism), check out the spreadsheet calculator I just posted here. It lets you vary motor type & number, force, and moment arm and calculates the reduction that will put the motor at peak power output. Then you can check the top speed and see if the chosen motor is strong enough or you need a stronger motor. Technically, any motor will lift the robot's weight if you gear it low enough, but it will be insanely slow if you choose to lift the robot with a throttle motor.

[edong4273]

I believe that our team is gonna try the velcro method, using loop side velcro as our rope and then having a drum on the robot that has hook side velcro.

Originally Posted by ICE_Bear

What motors work to lift the weight of a robot? Of course some have to, but we are at a loss as to what we could use.

I think we could be way overshooting what we need, but we are thinking of using 2 bag motors at a 100:1 reduction using a VersaPlanetary Gearbox from VEX.