VEXpro Build Blitz 2015

[Karthik]

Some more educational resources have been posted.

A full guide on how to design a claw for Recycle Rush.

http://www.buildblitz.com/claw-design-guide/

Originally Posted by BuildBlitz.com

Due to the nature of competitive robotics, nearly every game involves some sort of object manipulation. Whether it’s picking up an object and placing it on a goal or gripping onto a field element, claws are an extremely common method of object manipulation that most teams consider at some point during their design process. Claw designs can be as varied as overall robot designs, but most fall under one of three categories: roller claws, pivot/pinch claws, and passive/fixed claws. The purpose of this design guide is to introduce these three primary styles and to help teams evaluate the best manipulator for their needs.

A full guide on how to design a drivetrain for Recycle Rush.

http://www.buildblitz.com/drivetrains-for-recycle-rush/

Originally Posted by BuildBlitz.com

There are a lot of factors which need to be considered when designing a drivetrain for the 2015 game. Refreshingly, a few of the “historical” constraints have been removed. In addition several aspects of the game may shift a team’s traditional design requirements. This is cool because it forces designers to discount their pre-conceived notions and it provides a fun thought exercise. We love fun thought exercises!

Lots of people ask “what do you recommend for this year’s game?” The answer is always: the simplest drive that does everything dictated by your strategy. (See Karthik’s Strategic Analysis). In our minds this probably means the following for most teams:

• Moving sideways is very helpful when trying to align & stack Totes
• Stick to a “traditional size” base — just because the rules allow for giant robots doesn’t mean it is a good decision
• If you’re gearing faster than 10 ft/sec free-speed, you’re probably going too fast
• You should try to find a configuration which crosses the scoring platforms; using 6” diameter wheels is a simple way of accomplishing this
• Focus on reliability — you need to maximize every match, not just “escape with the win”.
  
  
  Whatever you choose to do, focus on that last point. Consistency is critical in 2015. Good luck to all teams! Send any comments or questions to prosupport@vex.com for more help.