Intake systems

[bardd]

Hello CD community!
We've all seen threads about shooters, drive systems, bridge manipulators etc., but we haven't seen a post-season thread about intake systems.

So I ask you, what is the fastest\most efficient\simplest\most interesting\all of the above intake system you saw this season?

By the way, I must admit starting this thread isn't solely to please my curiosity and create a discussion, but also because we... umm... well, kinda need to build a new intake system soon and looking for inspiration

[Taylor]

My personal fave is from back in 2002.

[protoserge]

I will say the best I saw was the over-the-bumper, full robot-width, using poly cord and rollers to funnel into a hopper style. It was simple, fast and efficient. There's another thread on best-of for Rebound Rumble here.

[smistthegreat]

My personal opinions:
Fastest: 469
Most Efficient: 2056/2826
Simplest: 987
Most Interesting: 67

I recognize that there are other outstanding robots that used similar systems to the ones I've mentioned, these are just meant to be examples that I'm familiar with.

[MattC9]

Originally Posted by smistthegreat

My personal opinions:
Fastest: 469
Most Efficient: 2056/2826
Simplest: 987
Most Interesting: 67

I recognize that there are other outstanding robots that used similar systems to the ones I've mentioned, these are just meant to be examples that I'm familiar with.

Could you show some examples of these robots, like I have only caught glimpses of 2056, 469 and 2826

[IKE]

Originally Posted by MattC9

Could you show some examples of these robots, like I have only caught glimpses of 2056, 469 and 2826

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=FRC+469+videos



This one is especially good for viewing the intake: http://vimeo.com/39918306

[EricLeifermann]

Here is one of us 2826 at Championships

Here is another

[JB987]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8f3hqibAho

987's intake system (starting around 1:20)...

[smistthegreat]

http://2056.ca/robot/general-lee

There's one of 2056, with an intake similar to 2826 (which is why I grouped them together. Also, 67's arm can be seen in the video Ike posted featuring 469.

[Clinton Bolinger]

Originally Posted by IKE

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=FRC+469+videos



This one is especially good for viewing the intake: http://vimeo.com/39918306

I just love that intake.

-Clinton-

[M. Lillis]

There were a few different teams that had drop down intakes. 177 and 973 had identical intakes. This is a video of 177 at CT Regional, even though we didn't shoot much (due to sticky new balls for elims) it gives you a good view of the intake rollers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9IZn...feature=relmfu

One problem with our roller system was that The first stage (lower tower and intake) could not handle 2+ balls at once, it would jam the roller system. But it was useful for getting balls from under the bridge and in corners.

I will upload a video tonight and link it here of our roller system up close.

I also believe that 33 had a roller system close to this, but it was concealed under their utility arm.

[Clinton Bolinger]

Originally Posted by M. Lillis

I also believe that 33 had a roller system close to this, but it was concealed under their utility arm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJREahxuy4Q&feature=plcp

Great video that shows their intake.

-Clinton-

[BJC]

While I think that this is the general tone I don’t think anyone has actually come out and said it:

Golden Rules of Collecting:
1. The faster the better. (Overkill after you get past 2x robot top speed.)
2. The wider/more tolerance the better. (Less driver precision = faster ball collecting)

By the way, those rules apply to every game – even when you can only pick up one piece at a time. Always keep in mind you have to pick it up before you can score it.

Regards, Bryan

[Brandon Zalinsky]

I definitely think the coolest was 67's. I was a amazed at how awesome it was.

However, I think one of the most functional ones might be 341's. They could grab balls from the co-op bridge like no other team I saw could. This allowed them to put up huge auton scores. They were intimidating because of this- I can remember standing at the driver's station in Boston looking at 341 and 233's beautiful robots, and then looking to my blue alliance side- 2 fenderbots and a defensebot. It was scary to think by the end of the first 15 seconds we'd be long gone.

[IanW]

In addition to all of the really good intakes that have been mentioned, I think there is something to be said for Team 95's collector in 2002. Its throughput is quite impressive.