pic: The TechnoKats 2007 Robot(s)

[Kyle Love]

Originally Posted by Ben Piecuch

No... this looks too simple to be a Technokat Robot! Surely, there are some very nifty tricks to this robot that you haven't told us about.

A custom 2-speed gearbox? What could be better than the AM's? Although, I think I spy TWO small pneumatics on your shifting drive gearbox. Could you give us a little insight into the reason for the 2nd? (Possibly a brake?) And, a little insight into this specific gearbox?

As always, a quality robot from 45. Can't wait to see some video, and that 11th iteration grabber.

BEN

There may be a trick or two not shown in the pic, but this is the heart of the beast. Yes, there are two pneumatics in the gearbox, one for shift and a magical one. Basically, its very similar to the AM shifter specs, just a few changes, I believe.

Originally Posted by Swampdude

Nice job guys. I see a pair of 06 and 07 radios hanging there. Maybe if we just mount both they won't say anything hmm? I guess that means the one on the right is the comp bot. Plus its all plumbed up

We had some near horrific damages done to the robot due to the new radios cutting in and out, and losing total control of it. The 06 radios worked perfectly for testing, I believe the 06 radio was taken off before we shipped.

[henryBsick]

my guess is...
2nd cylinder = power take off for the cams not shown in the pick

[Schnabel]

Originally Posted by Kyle Love

We had some near horrific damages done to the robot due to the new radios cutting in and out, and losing total control of it. The 06 radios worked perfectly for testing, I believe the 06 radio was taken off before we shipped.

I don't think that horrific even describes the damage.

[Derek Bessette]

Originally Posted by Kyle Love

Indeed, it acts emo sometimes.

Luckily, by analyzing the shadows, our team was able to figure out many things about your gripper design. Here are the results:

It uses pneumatics
It's good...really good!

You should have just sent us the 3D model!

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Ben Piecuch

A custom 2-speed gearbox? What could be better than the AM's? Although, I think I spy TWO small pneumatics on your shifting drive gearbox. Could you give us a little insight into the reason for the 2nd? (Possibly a brake?) And, a little insight into this specific gearbox?

BEN

Dang... Ben has a good eye. Yes, there is a 2nd cylinder for a brake in there. We figure that we either don't want to get pushed around or we don't want to roll off ramps. No stage diving for this rack star!

The drive base is somewhat modular. The guts of the drive module in the middle is an AM Shifter. We removed the sprockets, and added a gear and another reduction to the shaft that drives the middle wheel. Essentially, it's a direct-drive AM Shifter.

On the ends are wheel modules. These simply hold an axle for the outside wheels of the 6wd. Chains from the drive module axle power the axles on the wheel modules. We've got a neat-o sprocket/hub that works very well for this.

Since we have these "modules"... we have some options. We really like the 6wd setup, but if we had to do something else, we could.

Andy B.

[Kyle Love]

Needless to say, we can change a wheel in 15 seconds flat. (sometimes less)

[Kit Gerhart]

Originally Posted by Kyle Love

We don't use too much air, but when u have the room/weight to have all 4, we chose to mount all of them. Oh and by the way, kit wheels rock!

Your machines look good. I wish we could get two built so we could get better practice after ship.

We didn't try the kit wheels, but were tempted. That rubber feels really sticky and should work well, even without tread.

Good luck guys, and I'll see you in Atlanta.