Starting Config question

[Woody1458]

Originally Posted by EricH

No, but it would be used as a restraint. The human would be as well.

Now, I have known teams that were not allowed to power on to get into the box while on the field because they were barely outside it. You risk being in the same boat.

That said, here is my suggestion: figure out a place you can mount a servo. The servo's arm (or attachments to it) should fit into a slot in your spring-hinged wheelie bar. The first thing that happens when the match starts is the servo moves the arm out of the slot. Now, the wall is the restraining item, but the robot is going into playing configuration. It isn't in starting position anymore.

The reason I am hesitant to do something like this is while we are a 6th year team, we have no engineering mentors, just a wonderful teacher that signs papers and opens the room for us, and our most complcated tool is a Miter Saw, no mill not lathe. Thus we always try to do anything to avoid a complication. I see this servo being a complication that could be avoided.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Woody1458

The reason I am hesitant to do something like this is while we are a 6th year team, we have no engineering mentors, just a wonderful teacher that signs papers and opens the room for us, and our most complcated tool is a Miter Saw, no mill not lathe. Thus we always try to do anything to avoid a complication. I see this servo being a complication that could be avoided.

I don't think you can avoid it. I remember one of the inspectors on here saying something about pushing against the box would not pass at his booth.

The only other way would be a pneumatic cylinder acting as a pin, if you already have pneumatics.

(And, Vex servos are legal...)

Edit:These threads might explain a bit better.

[Woody1458]

Thank you for the links to other threads the first one was especially helpful. The posts seem to give the Idea that it really depends on what inspector you get, so I think I will design a servo system, but try to get it sized first without it. Thanks for your deligent help EricH!