pic: Team 1717's PenguinBot 2008

[erikab]

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[Akash Rastogi]

That thing competes like crazy. If you haven't seen 1717 in action, watch them on TBA.

2 regional wins and finalists against 1114, 217, 148 with the Poofs at their side. They were on fire this year.

[jblay]

This was one of the most robust looking robots that i saw this year. i thought it was the most professional looking bot at nationals.

[R.C.]

Could anyone explain how they got that fast of a forklift built?

[Lil' Lavery]

I'm glad 1717 is getting some attention this year, as this isn't the first time they've made an outstanding bot. If anything, their bot last year was even better (one of the best ramp bots of the year, and it could score a couple tubes), pity it didn't attend the Championship.

[Amir]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

I'm glad 1717 is getting some attention this year, as this isn't the first time they've made an outstanding bot. If anything, their bot last year was even better (one of the best ramp bots of the year, and it could score a couple tubes), pity it didn't attend the Championship.

Thanks for noticing our robot from last year. We were really proud of our lift mechanism and we wished that we could have taken it to Atlanta so that more people could have seen it. Our robot lifted for over 700 points at the San Diego Regional.

It had huge panels that were very easy to get on and could lift in less than two seconds. It not only lifted the other two robots but it lifted our own robot as well. It took 800lbs to compress it. The panels were composites made from a foam core with aluminum facesheets. These were hand cut, shaped, and glued together by students on our team.

If anybody is interested, here is a link which shows every one of our lifts both good and bad at the San Diego regional.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okbeHXxAR7A

-Amir

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Amir

Thanks for noticing our robot from last year. We were really proud of our lift mechanism and we wished that we could have taken it to Atlanta so that more people could have seen it. Our robot lifted for over 700 points at the San Diego Regional.

It had huge panels that were very easy to get on and could lift in less than two seconds. It not only lifted the other two robots but it lifted our own robot as well. It took 800lbs to compress it. The panels were composites made from a foam core with aluminum facesheets. These were hand cut, shaped, and glued together by students on our team.

If anybody is interested, here is a link which shows every one of our lifts both good and bad at the San Diego regional.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okbeHXxAR7A

-Amir

Wow, I agree with Sean, last year's 'bot is awesome as well. Good luck next year. Hope you do well in Atlanta next year as well.

[Graham Donaldson]

Team 1676 had the honor of being next to 1717 in Galileo this year at Nationals. One of the best teams that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, they were gracious, confident, and their robot was of the highest quality. Nothing but good things to say about 1717.

[sdcantrell56]

Do you guys have any pictures you could post of the elevator and winch system , especially with the ratchet.

[R.C.]

What gearboxes did you guys use, it was a really fast robot for single cims on each side.

[erikab]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

What gearboxes did you guys use, it was a really fast robot for single cims on each side.

We actually did use 2 CIMs on each side. I could get back to you with the gearbox information, if you are still interested.

[R.C.]

yes, but amir said you guys used 2 cims on the lift mechanism??

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

What gearboxes did you guys use, it was a really fast robot for single cims on each side.

They were AndyMark Gen 2 Servo Shifters.

[erikab]

Sorry for all of the motor confusion.

For the drivetrain, we used:
AndyMark Gen 2 Servo Shifters with 2 CIMs on each side (4 CIMs total)

For the lift mechanism (forklift), we used:
2 Fisher Price motors with 64:1 Banebots transmissions, 1 directly inserted into the drum's axis on each side

[Amir]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

Could anyone explain how they got that fast of a forklift built?

We used two fisher price motors inserted into banebots 64:1 transmissions. This decision was reached by performing some simple tests coupled with a motor curve analysis.

We built a simple winch set-up that used the fisherprice motors with the KOP fisherprice gearboxes. We evaluated the motor performance under load lifting different amounts of weight. We measured the current under load and compared this with the motor power curves. We then decided on a "safe zone" in which we felt comfortable operating our motors. This was between max efficiency and max power.

We then used a basic physics analysis, W=FD and P=W/t, using the predicted load of the ball and lift combined. Using this information and the data collected from our tests, we were able to determine the most effective transmission and winch diameter combination.

We actually played it safe with 64:1. We could have used 48:1 which would have made it lift even faster and still been within the limits of our "safe zone." We decided, however, to be conservative and stick with 64:1.

We ran this forklift up and down hundreds of times and played matches all the way through finals at two regionals and the championship and never had a motor problem. We bought 10 spares just in case and never had to replace a motor. The fisher price motors are really quite amazing if they are used under non-stall conditions and at the sweet spot on their power curve. Finally, our lift had a built-in ratchet that did not allow the motors to back drive.

Hope this is somewhat clear and informative

Amir