Tape Measure Container Grabber

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by Trey178

Saw the video and I like the concept. Did some searching and it looks like it comes packaged on its own reel/spool. Could 2106 have assembled the mechanism so that it's directly driven, or belt/chain driven?

We cut the length we needed from the roll and made our own measuring tape holder:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/img...18989dfe_l.jpg

[Tristan Lall]

Tape measures were a common accessory in 2002 (to expand the robot size to occupy a zone while scoring in another). They were typically powered by an external drive wheel off of a drill motor and transmission (roughly equivalent to the current RS-775 motors), or by direct drive (sacrificing the retraction mechanism by driving the hub directly).

However, kink-resistance wasn't typically a huge deal (except when teams decided to try to get entangled and draw a penalty by driving back and forth on an opponent's tape measure), so teams simply relied upon the inherent stiffness of the tape measure.

You might want to investigate whether it works better with the numbers facing up, or down. Also consider having quickly installable spares, because if it is damaged during one match, odds are it will kink at the site of the damage (if anywhere) during subsequent matches.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

You might want to investigate whether it works better with the numbers facing up, or down.

Every metal tape measure I ever remember using had the numbers printed on the concave side. This allows the tape to resist kinking due to its weight when extended horizontally better when the numbers face up. Not that you should totally dismiss testing this, but please do post if you learn something different!

[Trey178]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

We cut the length we needed from the roll and made our own measuring tape holder:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/img...18989dfe_l.jpg

In order for this mechanism to work, one end of the tape needed to be attached to the frame. Where and how was it secured?

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

Here is a picture of the spare we had in the pit in Boston
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=3280

For the tape itself, did you remove it from the stock reel or use it as part of the assembly?

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by Trey178

In order for this mechanism to work, one end of the tape needed to be attached to the frame. Where and how was it secured?

I believe we used a hinge and bolted it to the frame.

[IKE]

There was a video of a DARPA robot I saw some years ago that used three tapes slaved together to create a triangular beam. This was used as a camera pole for a very short surveillance robot. I believe the robot was only 6 inches tall, but the "pole" could extend up 10 to 15 feet.

[GeeTwo]

We're using a tape measure in our robot this year -- as a tape measure, of all things. We cut a hole in the side of the case and glued a volume knob to it, and fitted a 10-turn potentiometer into it. We're using it to measure lift height. Of course, since we can only go 10 turns, we can only use about 1/4 of the tape. It should be convenient to calibrate. -- Oh yes, it will probably also be in the field of view of the onboard camera, so the driver can read it as well if the resolution supports it.

[Trey178]

Shown below is a well used AndyMark wheel off of our robot from last year (2014). Running it is a BaneBots motor with a 64:1 gearbox. The tape is an old, tattered item just laying around our shop making it a perfect test candidate. A much rougher setup, but it still works.

[JamesBrown]

Originally Posted by Trey178

In order for this mechanism to work, one end of the tape needed to be attached to the frame. Where and how was it secured?



For the tape itself, did you remove it from the stock reel or use it as part of the assembly?

We removed it from the stock reel, and made our own.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

We removed it from the stock reel, and made our own.

You must make sure that you curve the tape as you reel it out if you want it to stand up; a flat tape will bend easily (if it didn't, they couldn't put it on a spool). Tape measure cases have a slot that is slightly narrower than the tape to force this curvature as it leaves the case.

[solopilot]

The band needs to go around the bin or tote. No prob if the tote is not surrounded by other totes. However, totes are pushed together closely in the landfill areas. How will the band go around it?