[FTC]: Technical Question

[Rick TYler]

To each his own... 575 abandoned the claw idea just because it didn't work very well for their design.

[thatguy]

My team used a claw in our robot, but we built it ourselves. It worked pretty well, we used some rubber for gripping. I actually never heard about the VexPlorer arm/claw until a couple of months ago. I learned yesterday at NYC/discovering team 546 on youtube that for what we wanted to do, it was more effective to design a ring stacking system, but in the midst of the competition, we learned that our robot was very good at controlling the hexes, which helped us greatly in the matches, especially when we realized who our best driver was.

From what I have seen, the vexplorer claw looks too big to take control of the hexes and not effective in grabbing pvc rings. But yea, to each his own. It probably just hurts the team on the innovate award.

[GeorgeTheEng]

Originally Posted by lilstogi11

You really think that? If so, then why are there huge arguments about Gracious Professionalism and about mentor/engineer built robots? If its made ina factory should you be allowed to use it? Would you use a prebuilt arm for FRC if you were allowed to? And if yes (unless you can't afford to build your own) then I think that that's really just sad.

Also, what if a team can't buy the VEXplorer kit due to a small budget such as most FVC teams? Frankly, I don't see why using it should be allowed. I'm with fredliu on this one.

I'm not going to get into the argument about GP here. I honestly think that has nothing to do with the point I was trying to make. My point wasn't about whether certain parts should or should not be legal. The Vexplorer claw is legal this year. If a team wants to use it because it fits thier design and their constraints, then I think it makes sense.

My point was that all things being legal, if you were develop a design that requires a certain function (I'm dropping the arm so we don't get bogged down in that), and you have a choice between a commercial product that fits your needs and budget or making something yourself that is of equivalent ability, most engineers will go with off the shelf and put effort into other areas where custom parts are required. This argument goes out the window though if you intend to or can develop something that performs better. Or if for some reason you can make it cheaper.

Engineering is a balance between best performance, best cost, and best use of time.

[Abra Cadabra IV]

I saw a couple teams using the VEXplorer claw at the San Diego and Vegas regionals. A LOT of the teams using it were inexperienced rookie teams who didn't have the knowledge, resources, or time to build anything better. It allowed them to function okay, but most of the teams who built custom claws did a better job of grabbing rings. Personally, I think the VEXplorer claw is a great resource for beginning teams, but any other team would be better off building their own.

[bellpride]

I don't have a problem one way or another, but I do admire teams that take the time to build their own claw. Take Vexellent - their claw looks excellent, much more suited to Quad Quandry than the Vexplorer claw, I think. (http://www.vexforum.com/gallery/show...1196&catid=12)

[arendyl]

Would we be allowed to use the Vex Rack and Pinion system for our FTC bot? Or for that matter, is there any rack and pinion system legal in FTC?