Beginning of Match - Charged tank

[jdejoannis]

Presumably before the match starts, the robots and their compressors will be disabled. How then can we use the suction cup to hold the Keeper. Do we charge up the tanks and run the vacuum pump somehow off of them? In that case we might run out of suction if before the match begins. Hmmm, any thoughts?

[Hieb]

You won't be able to use the suction prior to the beginning of the match. You could position the keeper in such a way that once the match began it would then be engaged by the suction.

[TubaMorg]

Originally Posted by Hieb

You won't be able to use the suction prior to the beginning of the match. You could position the keeper in such a way that once the match began it would then be engaged by the suction.

We have been thinking about the same thing and I disagree with your assesment. With a little creative plumbing you can store a vacuum prior to the beginning of a match. Lock it in with a solenoid then activate it manually to express the vacuum at the cup before the match begins. Once the robot is enabled, normal operation takes place.

Keep in mind also that there is no rule that prohibits beginning the match with fully charged pneumatic storage tanks. Just before your match run the compressor to fill everything up so you don't spend your entire auto period running the compressor.

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by jdejoannis

Presumably before the match starts, the robots and their compressors will be disabled. How then can we use the suction cup to hold the Keeper. Do we charge up the tanks and run the vacuum pump somehow off of them? In that case we might run out of suction if before the match begins. Hmmm, any thoughts?

This is all part of the design challenge of this years game. I dare say, it will take a little crative thinking to handle this particular situation. But as always happens, the solution will come in many forms.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Tuba,
The problem with venturi vacuum systems is you need airflow to the develop the vacuum. Without the robot running, keeping a charged tank while waiting for the match to start is going to be difficult.

[TubaMorg]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Tuba,
The problem with venturi vacuum systems is you need airflow to the develop the vacuum. Without the robot running, keeping a charged tank while waiting for the match to start is going to be difficult.

Yes I agree, but once you have a vacuum you can engage the tube and lock it in. It is possible to do this manually during the field setup before the robot is enabled. We have tried it out and it works! If you establish a good seal with the tube, the vacuum will maintain for quite a long time. You just have to figure out a way to prevent atomspheric pressure from leaking back in at all possible openings HINT HINT!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Wink and a nod....