Elevator/Telescopic Arms & Motors to Use

[Phyrxes]

Originally Posted by Ravage457

Hello Chief Delphi Communty

Im Back for more wisdom from the FRC and CD community
Ive been intrested in knowing what is the most simple arm to build, an elevator or telescopic arm and how to prevent it from over extending, another question is do yall use Bearings in the arms to allow it to travel free?

Also, how do yall run the pnuematics and electrionc wires in this type of arms and keep them from getting pinched or ripped apart

What motors are also good to use with this arms?
If you have any pictures it greatly appreciated. I know im probably asking alot, but i really want to improve my knowledge and better and to improve our team. Thanks again for taking your time, and giving me yall advice and recommendations

Our Logomotion bot used a shoulder mounted arm. It was powered by two RS 540s (I think) running through Banebot Planetaries (P60s?) to an external chain reduction that operated the shoulder.

[RRLedford]

I suggest that, for rotationally driven trave mechanisms, people always consider using a mechanical, adjustable torque, slip clutch combined with a hard mechanical stop to prevent over travel.

In 2011 we used a single axis, chain driven (by way geared down dual wiper motors) swing arm with rheostat positioning control.
The arm was very long and could not take a lot of abuse, so we needed to make sure if it was moving and hit too much resistance, the motion would stop while the slip clutch just spun, with no further motion to cause damage.

This also worked great for re-synching the rheostat, since with the chain stopped, we could always still swing the arm to any position by pushing the arm enough to overpower the set torque limit of the slip clutch.

Even with micro switches and other programmed means for limiting travel, stuff happens, and having a slip clutch can be a godsend for preventing damage. Combining a rubber bumper travel stop with the slip clutch is all it takes for rotary actuated motion limiting..

-Dick Ledford