Pit/Robot Carts?

[VKP]

Our team (1899) started using a powered robot cart last year and we have found it very useful, and have not experienced any of the problems others are describing.

We used an old powered wheelchair base, but removed the chair, and instead added a platform for the robot to sit on with room to place tools and other equipment.

It is controlled by the original Wheelchair controller and is mounted near the back of the cart. The controller allows us to change the speed of the cart, and since it is a wheelchair base, it can turn on a dime and is extremely maneuverable.

If there is a team out there looking into making a robot cart, I would suggest giving serious consideration to modifying a motorized wheelchair.

Here is a picture of the robot cart from the front:
http://www.saintsrobotics.com/wp-con...s/img_1509.jpg

[KHall]

Originally Posted by KevinGoneNuts

... we're going for Rookie All-star this year so we are trying to be the perfect candidates.

So don't forget to be gracious to the queuing team who has to move the cart once you have unloaded your robot on to the field. And don't forget to take into account the competition venue - at some Regionals the "thoroughfare" space around the playing field and from the pits to the playing field is tight - Very Tight.

MWR Rocks!

[Chris Fultz]

http://www.andymark.com/New-Products-s/189.htm

AndyMark has two new robot cart packages, and/or materials for you to design and build your own or customize one of these.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by KHall

So don't forget to be gracious to the queuing team who has to move the cart once you have unloaded your robot on to the field.

The team should be moving the cart to the parking lot themselves. You have 4 team members - 2 carry the robot, one carries the controls to the driver station, the 4th parks the cart. Simples! That's how to be gracious.

[KHall]

Originally Posted by GaryVoshol

The team should be moving the cart to the parking lot themselves. You have 4 team members - 2 carry the robot, one carries the controls to the driver station, the 4th parks the cart. Simples! That's how to be gracious.

Thanks for pointing this out Hopefully...

[ChocolateDragon]

Are there really any set dimensions for a cart? Like, what I'm going for is a basic robot carrier, since it's my first year and I don't wanna do anything too complicated. I was thinking the platform to be the max robot dimensions, but with ten inches on each side, so there would be an ideal 5 inches around it. But, looking at all of these carts, that seems way too small! :?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by ChocolateDragon

Are there really any set dimensions for a cart? Like, what I'm going for is a basic robot carrier, since it's my first year and I don't wanna do anything too complicated. I was thinking the platform to be the max robot dimensions, but with ten inches on each side, so there would be an ideal 5 inches around it. But, looking at all of these carts, that seems way too small! :?

If it can't fit through a standard doorway, it's as good as useless--you may need to get through that at a demo, or to leave the classroom/build area. Now, your standard 28x38 robot with a full set of 2.5" thick bumpers will go through that at 33" (with about 3" to spare, IIRC). So you may actually be too big if you go 5" on each side.

Your best bet would be a platform just about the size of the robot with bumpers on (note: include a lip to keep stuff from coming off, and rails to put the robot wheels off the platform, or chocks so the robot doesn't move) with a storage area below for batteries and quick-fix tools. Doesn't have to be terribly high, or terribly complicated.

[Nicole175]

Originally Posted by O'Sancheski

I don't know exactly how it works. I could ask some of my friends over on 175 for the exact details on it.

Attached is a pic of the lift.

Just to note, our cart is EXTREMELY heavy. We also have a brake at the back end to keep us from moving. A switch can be turned on that activates a "horn/beep" to warn people that we are approaching....and there are lights that we are in the process of trying to fix.

[eStop Robotics]

eStop Robotics introduced the Competition Cart for the 2012 FRC season. The cart is intended to be a universal solution that will serve teams for a lifetime of competitions.

The Competition Cart was designed based on years of FRC competition experience. The cart is lightweight, yet extremely strong, and is easy to assemble and disassemble.

The Competition Cart is intended to be both a pit service and transport cart capable of carrying a full size FRC robot with bumpers along with two FRC KOP plastics crates below the robot. The cart offers 6" of ground clearance to easily navigate over electrical cableways and other obstacles often found at event venues.

Click here for an exploded diagram of the cart.

[Mr. Rogers]

This is the plan anyway.....

[V_Chip]

Originally Posted by Nicole175

Just to note, our cart is EXTREMELY heavy. We also have a brake at the back end to keep us from moving. A switch can be turned on that activates a "horn/beep" to warn people that we are approaching....and there are lights that we are in the process of trying to fix.

Remember, the cart is heavy to help keep members on their toes. We usually have a programmer push it along for some experience in "hardware".

The storage compartments in the cart allow for batteries, tools, and other maintenance utilities.

[ThaDeanesta]

How might that give me experience in "hardware" again?

haha.

Back on topic: The cart is heavy indeed. Pushing it around (even short distances) can prove to be quite strenuous.


Motorized Carts anybody?

[V_Chip]

Originally Posted by ThaDeanesta

How might that give me experience in "hardware" again?

haha.

Back on topic: The cart is heavy indeed. Pushing it around (even short distances) can prove to be quite strenuous.


Motorized Carts anybody?

Heavy, but also very robust.. sort of like a tank.

It was a joy to push around in Atlanta for Championships.. About 300lbs of Buzzstuff. Last year in St. Louis was exponentially easier without the up and downhill slopes.

We've had our tank for about a decade. The discussion of motorizing the cart is always brought up.. but before a decision is made Kickoff comes and then it's Build. Maybe this year will be different.

[ajt150]

I was the pit manager last year. We built custom made carts ancered in dimond plate. One cart was 4 drawer long shallow, and the other was 4short deep drawer. We stored all the things in it. It was at counter level. The thing we need to fix is the Drawer glides. You need some hevy duty glides. We charged all the bateries and all the power tools in the short deep drawer. The one charging the batteries needs ventlation.

[jdunston94]

"How might that give me experience in "hardware" again?

haha.

Back on topic: The cart is heavy indeed. Pushing it around (even short distances) can prove to be quite strenuous."


define hard, it is more work to lift the bot off the cart and into position on the field then actually push the cart...