"Helix" robots in 2006/2009

[Tom I]

My team did a helix design in Lunacy, and an open hopper system for Aim High.
The helix design gave us much better control over the balls, but keep in mind that was when we were expecting 10+ balls, this game there's a max of 3.

Here's a video of us testing the helix with a VERY simple construction that we got from another team. It was constructed with straight lines, much easier than bending material into an actual spiral.
This is what it looked like final construction!

[Peter Matteson]

177 also used a downward spiral in 2009.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/33112

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/32626

[tim-tim]

Other teams to have a helix design in 2006 were 33 and 233. I am sure there are many others out there.

The aforementioned Deign Book for Aim High is also a great resource, I own it and recommend everyone buying one

[Walter Deitzler]

Team 16 also had a helix design back in 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATN5G...eature=related

[waialua359]

With being able to only handle 3 balls at most, I can't see how these designs would even be necessary for the game this year. A little overkill?

[Dripto]

We (694) had a spiral hopper in 06. I'd suggest against it, it got us in the FIRST Robot Design Book for 06, but it had some issues, as well as being quite annoying to keep up.

You might have some luck with it. GL!

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by waialua359

With being able to only handle 3 balls at most, I can't see how these designs would even be necessary for the game this year. A little overkill?

There's a lot of space and it's a great way to fit three balls compactly in terms of footprint (rather than height)