Let's Talk About The Bridge:

[davidthefat]

Does anyone think an active balancing mechanism, like a moving heavy object, on the robot to balance 3 robots? My guess is, like most years, the majority of the robots will be around 120 lb and it would be relatively easy to balance one or two on the bridge. I had the idea of putting the battery and electronics on a platform that can be shifted from the front and back of the robot and anywhere in between to actively balance the robot. Having the weight shift back and forth instead of the actually moving the robot will be better when trying to squeeze 3 robots on the platform.

Any one have any objections to that? Relatively, it would only add a weight of a motor and the mounting. All the other weight will come from other necessary components such as the battery and other electrical components, perhaps even the shooting mechanism itself.

[BrendanB]

It'll be a whole lot easier to just move the base at a slow speed then to actively shift the weight in your robot.

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

It'll be a whole lot easier to just move the base at a slow speed then to actively shift the weight in your robot.

Elaborate, what do you mean by move the base?

[Ninja_Bait]

I was thinking of a lead screw with a "nut" that was just a huge chunk of steel with a threaded hole. But I also agree with BrendanB, that just careful driver control can be sufficient.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

Elaborate, what do you mean by move the base?

Instead of having a mechanism move, just have your driver move at an extremely slow speed.

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

Instead of having a mechanism move, just have your driver move at an extremely slow speed.

Thought about actively balance the bot that way, it is a viable option for 1 robot on a platform, but with 3, it gets really tricky because there simply is no room to move.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

Thought about actively balance the bot that way, it is a viable option for 1 robot on a platform, but with 3, it gets really tricky because there simply is no room to move.

The only way you are fitting three is with 3 robots that are at least 28 inches wide and you'll have 11 inches of overhang at best.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

The only way you are fitting three is with 3 robots that are at least 28 inches wide and you'll have 11 inches of overhang at best.

Believe me, a 38"wide robot can be valuble in the elimination rounds

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Believe me, a 38"wide robot can be valuble in the elimination rounds

That's what we were thinking too but everyone on your alliance needs to think that way in order to get that bonus!

In the eliminations how does the coopertition bridge play out? I can't find that anywhere.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

That's what we were thinking too but everyone on your alliance needs to think that way in order to get that bonus!

In the eliminations how does the coopertition bridge play out? I can't find that anywhere.

Coopertition does not play any role in the elims which is why 3 robots on a teeter-totter is worth 40 points only in the elims.

[Ninja_Bait]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

The only way you are fitting three is with 3 robots that are at least 28 inches wide and you'll have 11 inches of overhang at best.

Dear Everyone:

Please build a little robot like Team Thrust's in 2010, so we will all fit on our ramp during the match.

Thanks
694

[akoscielski3]

I am wondering how robots are going to make the bridge go down form the neutral position. That may be hard. Is it just gonna be you run into it and it will move? or will we have to make a mechanism to lower it for us? Any thoughts?

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by akoscielski3

I am wondering how robots are going to make the bridge go down form the neutral position. That may be hard. Is it just gonna be you run into it and it will move? or will we have to make a mechanism to lower it for us? Any thoughts?

Like I said before, little t-rex arms.

[Ernst]

Last year our robot had a "finesse" mode, that literally slowed down the arm motors and the drive motors. I think a similar mode (that can simply be activated by a button on the joysticks or a toggle switch) could be highly beneficial when trying to just drive your robot to balance.

If your robot this year ends up with any kind of swinging chute or arm, then you could probably use that to effectively shift the center of gravity.

ALSO:

Originally Posted by BrendanB

That's what we were thinking too but everyone on your alliance needs to think that way in order to get that bonus!

In the eliminations how does the coopertition bridge play out? I can't find that anywhere.

My understanding is that the Coopertition bridge gives you only qualifying points, and is therefore not necessary in the elimination rounds.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Coopertition does not play any role in the elims which is why 3 robots on a teeter-totter is worth 40 points only in the elims.

Originally Posted by ZehP

My understanding is that the Coopertition bridge gives you only qualifying points, and is therefore not necessary in the elimination rounds.

Thanks my assumption was that it became null and void for elims.