Max Number of Window Motors

[somenerd]

Our Team was considering using 6 Window motors to provide the torque needed to lift a rather large arm. Is their any limit to the number of window motors we can use.

[Chris is me]

Yes, you are only allowed the same number of window motors as was provided in the kit this year.

The BaneBots and FP motors are dramatically more powerful than the Window motors.

[Hawiian Cadder]

you are allowed a maximum of 3 window motors, and no more than 2 of any type (left or right) thus you can use 2 left and a right, or 2right and a left.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Hawiian Cadder

you are allowed a maximum of 3 window motors, and no more than 2 of any type (left or right) thus you can use 2 left and a right, or 2right and a left.

Please cite a part of the manual that agrees with this because I can't recall ever reading such a thing.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

There are two left handed window motors and two right handed window motors in the KOP. That is exactly what you can use. Two lefts and two rights maximum.
<R45> Motors specifically permitted on 2011 FRC ROBOTS include:
A. all motors, actuators, and servos listed in the 2011 KOP Checklist,

[Hawiian Cadder]

my bad, reading manual from a couple years ago by accident.

[somenerd]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

Yes, you are only allowed the same number of window motors as was provided in the kit this year.

The BaneBots and FP motors are dramatically more powerful than the Window motors.

Thank you very much
The idea of using window motors vs. Banebot/FP is that window motors lock. We used rather conservative numbers, so 4 window motors may be sufficient for our needs. However if anyone could suggest a more elegant solution, I am all ears.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Rules for this year allow the window motor locking mechanisms to be removed as a legal modification.
<R47> Motors and servos used on the ROBOT shall not be modified in any way, except as follows:
C. The locking pins on the window motors may be removed.

[Dad1279]

You may be able to get away with less motors if you balance the arm (add springs, surgical tubing, strut, etc) to reduce the force, lighten the arm or gear it down.

[Hawiian Cadder]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#constant-force-springs/=27f2g3

we have 4 of these, one per stage, on our lift.

[Chris_Ely]

Originally Posted by somenerd

Thank you very much
The idea of using window motors vs. Banebot/FP is that window motors lock. We used rather conservative numbers, so 4 window motors may be sufficient for our needs. However if anyone could suggest a more elegant solution, I am all ears.

My team built an adaper to attach two window motors through a CIMple box to power our lift arm. Picture an aluminium box with the motors on one side, the shaft and plastic hub from the KOP inside, and the CIMple box on the other. We had to have a custum shaft made for us to go from the motor's hup to a bearing, to the pinion gear of the CIMple box. It has plenty of torque; however, it moves pretty fast, so we got a 60 tooth sprocket to reduce the motors/gearbox boy about 4:1 to slow it down. So far it works good.