Team 604 Presents: Skyhammer

[Lil' Lavery]

How well does it catch when the truss shot hits the extended arms rather than the center? Is the catch automated in any way?

[Eugene Fang]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

How well does it catch when the truss shot hits the extended arms rather than the center? Is the catch automated in any way?

There are a few clips (such as the one at 0:35) where the ball doesn't hit the center. It seems to catch pretty well, though we are planning for ways to further dampen the ball so it doesn't bounce as much. The catch isn't automated (the driver must manually close the arms), but the self-catch at the very end is automated. We may look at automating the catch in the future if we can prove it's more reliable than manually controlling it.

[nxtmonkeys]

That is one cool launcher. I have a feeling that you are going to rule out on the field.

[Samwaldo]

Amazing robot, and when the whole thing opened to catch a ball, it became my favorite robot (yes, even when including 118)

[Adam Freeman]

Very cool robot and video!

My only question is what happens when play starts to get rough and the intake starts taking some abuse....or the driver runs it into a wall?

What is the weak link?

[BrendanB]

Very nice robot! I wantz.

[Justin Montois]

The best catching robot i've seen so far. Incredible job!

[Quix]

Originally Posted by Adam Freeman

Very cool robot and video!

My only question is what happens when play starts to get rough and the intake starts taking some abuse....or the driver runs it into a wall?

What is the weak link?

I really won't say that there is much of a weak link rather we plan not to run around in the intake position but rather in stow when the flower is all the way up.

The arms are rather rigid contrary to first glance.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Quix

The arms are rather rigid contrary to first glance.

That rigidity could make it more likely to fail. Rigidity also does not equal toughness and/or strength.

[Eugene Fang]

Originally Posted by Adam Freeman

Very cool robot and video!

My only question is what happens when play starts to get rough and the intake starts taking some abuse....or the driver runs it into a wall?

What is the weak link?

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

That rigidity could make it more likely to fail. Rigidity also does not equal toughness and/or strength.

The arms are actually designed not to be too rigid -- you can tell by the catching clips that the arms give somewhat. That being said, we are indeed concerned about the side arms getting bent while intaking, but we may cut them short anyways to improve the intake area. Of course, this will sacrifice our catching area, so we will have to experiment more with it.

Sorry for the confusion.

[DampRobot]

Nice video, it's looking like you're going to be very competitive this year.

And by the way, you're welcome for the waterjet time .

[CalTran]

That's a really clever catching system. +1 on my end. Definitely the only one of it's kind that I've seen thus far.

I'm also interested in what y'all use to shoot the ball. In some parts of the video you can see some aluminum tubing extend out, but what actuates it?

[Eugene Fang]

Originally Posted by CalTran

That's a really clever catching system. +1 on my end. Definitely the only one of it's kind that I've seen thus far.

I'm also interested in what y'all use to shoot the ball. In some parts of the video you can see some aluminum tubing extend out, but what actuates it?

It's a linear plunger powered by surgical tubing (see attachment, though the design as slightly changed since this screenshot). The dark transparent part is approximately where the surgical tubing attaches and the winch at the end pulls the 1x1 back via a ratchet strap. To release, the pneumatic disengages a ball shifter.

[Nick1912]

Another great looking robot from 604. You guys are going to have a stellar season once again.

[David8696]

Apart from the Robonauts, I think this might be my favorite reveal I've seen. Absolutely brilliant mechanism, I had a similar idea for our bit but we didn't go with it because it would have been too hard to implement. Congratulations on a job VERY well done.