Building the Element

[Mongai]

Originally Posted by Davis Racing

I plan to help build the pyramid so I did a little reading today. I noticed the team drawing design and the competition design have minor differences in specifications. The team drawing calls for 1 1/4" pipe (1.66 o.d.) with a 60 degree pyramid angle while the competition design calls for 1 1/2" tubing (1.5" o.d. plus powder coating) with a 68 degree pyramid angle. So, which design will we build!!!

See
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=110678

[MentorPrice]

I would just also throw a word of caution to any team trying to build the pyramid because of safety hazards and structural integrety. I would personally build the scoring goals instead.
But dont let me dampen your experience, if you want to build a pyramid, test it and make sure that it is secure and strong enough before attempting any practice let alone horseplay near or on the apparatus.

[MrForbes]

G02

Teams may not climb on the PYRAMID.

Violation: YELLOW CARD

I was thinking we might want to implement this rule during build season....

We are planning on building enough of a pyramid to test our robot's ability to climb it. So far, it looks like we'll need one horizontal bar, 30" off the floor. We haven't figured out a way to climb any higher than that.

I priced .095" wall 1.50" structural steel tube at the local welding/steel supplier, it goes for $2.00/ft in full lengths (20 ft), and $2.50/ft if cut to a specific length. How much do we need?

[ezygmont708]

Team 708 built the pyramid on Sunday. We noticed a few things of extreme importance. First was that the hole in the wooden corner brackets when drilled to spec was too large. We drilled a 2 1/4 inch hole instead, then sanded down the points of contact (allowing the pole to take the angle of the support 2x4). It is very important to ensure that the holes for the u brackets are correct. We also noticed that the u-bolts (purchased at Lowes) were not made to a tight tolerance. The fabrication of the necessary pieces took about 6 hours, and construction took about 2 hours. If you plan on constructing I would suggest acquiring a 4 inch deep socket the size of the nut for the u bolt. This will save you a lot of aggravation. When assembled the pyramid seemed very sturdy, enough that one of our mentors (200 + lbs) felt comfortable enough to do a few pull ups on the third rung. Our team has also instituted a no climbing rule!!!

If there are any teams in the philly area that don't have the time, space, or means to build the pyramid send me an email (ezygmont@team708.org) and we'd be happy to have you over.

[ronmarkum]

We used 1-1/4 EMT. Its about 1/3 the cost of black pipe, a lot easier to cut, and measures 1.51 OD. It is plenty strong. We will be welding ours in the near future. I don't think the u-bolts and plywood will withstand many climbs.

[George C]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

I feel like the goals can be fairly easily simulated by some cardboard boxes placed at different heights. You could tape up the boxes wherever you practice?


- Sunny G.

Have you considered a polytarp with appropriate holes cut and taped. It could then be fastened to a piece of EMT and slung from roof trusses. No chains behind the holes but it's cheap, easy to make and easy to store.

[kmusa]

EMT is usually galvanized. Should only be welded with proper precautions. (Google "Metal Fume Fever" for details.)

-Karlis

[My-smokepole]

I got Schedule 10 black pipe sprinkler line @ $1.00 a ft. Came out of a plumbing supply house.
David

[Ankit S.]

We are building a scaled version of the pyramid to test out some scaled mechanisms on the pyramid, and so we can get a feel for how climbing can be done.

This is partially because if we did build an actual pyramid, it would be too tall and take up about 60% of our workspace.