pic: 254 Presents: Slipstream

[NickE]

Originally Posted by ATH1RSTYM00SE

Hmm while this machine looks really capable, what i have to question is if the tubes are overinflated as they were for a large portion of our regional, can your compact roller design still handle them? Just a question but good luck guys we hope to see you in st louis

Yes, the tubes in San Diego were somewhat overinflated as well and we were able to handle them with ease. Slipstream's manipulator has 5 degrees of freedom and the rollers actually separate to release tubes. If a tube is so overinflated that it cannot be compressed between the two rollers, the rollers are simply pushed aside and the tube can be grabbed.

Furthermore, we have programming and sensors to actively suck tubes in so that even if only part of a tube is in the grabber, it can still be held securely. When a tube is in the grabber, you can actually pull the robot around by the tube.